AT&T Alliance APIs

Ordering API Overview

Alliance Distributors and Solution Providers are now offered the opportunity to integrate their proprietary sales infrastructure with AT&T via Ordering APIs. 

These APIs enable near-instant data transmission, improving efficiency in processing quotes, contracts, and multi-site or multi-product orders. As AT&T enables additional products on these APIs, they will further enhance seller tools and lower the business costs with AT&T. 

These APIs will energize different stages of the sales process by automating a series of tasks. These tasks include End Customer Lookup, Quote Creation, Credit Checks (Check & Generate), Contract Creation (Check & Generate), Order Enrichment Details, Order Submission, and Status Updates. Once developed to the API, partners can qualify, price, contract and order digitally from their own platform. 

Ordering APIs Flow

Ordering Flow Diagram

1

End-Customer LookUp

The End Customer Lookup serves as the initial step in the Ordering API flow. At this stage, it allows SPs to gather essential data such as Alliance status and customer specifics like sub-account ID. If no accounts are found, the solution provider (SP) receives a message stating ‘No customer found.’

However, if a customer is found under Alliance only status, the SP can submit an exception request for that specific end-customer to the operations team.   

2

Quote

The Quote API enables creation of Quote ID, Opportunity ID and Quote. These unique identifiers serve as strategic enablers, helping SPs to drive the rest of the Ordering APIs stages.

The Opportunity ID is created when the SP has an opportunity to do business with an end customer. By associating a Quote ID with a particular product configuration that includes Price offer (Access, Port, Installation, Discount Range, Available Promotions), SPs will be able to record their agreed discussions. It ensures alignment between both parties on offerings, rates, promotions, and discounts.  

Other configuration details like product options, access speeds, port speeds, billing preferences, sites and more are recorded to ensure seamless execution. 

3

Credit Check

This step allows the Solution Provider (SP) to verify the end-customer’s eligibility for credit approval.

Credit Check approval is a critical prerequisite before proceeding further. The credit check is performed after Quote ID validation and AVPS (Address Validation of Postal Service) validation steps are completed. 

4

Contract

The contract creation phase formalizes agreements between the Solution Provider (SP) and the end customer. During this phase, essential details such as customer details, end customer contact details, effective date and contract term are incorporated into the contract.

Prerequisite i.e. credit check approval, must be met before initiating contract creation. Creating the contract at this stage ensures that the terms remain consistent with the agreed-upon quote.

Once the contract is signed, it becomes legally binding, and subsequent changes to the quote are restricted, ensuring stability and clarity throughout the contractual relationship.

5

Order Creation & Enrichment

This API allows SPs to create new orders and enrich existing orders. The order enrichment process captures details related to fulfillment which includes below aspects .

  1. Installation enrichment  involves gathering of additional information about installation contacts, including customer requested start date, customer requested due date, and premise notes.
  2. Shipping address enrichment enhances details such as email IDs, addresses, and any relevant notes associated with shipping.
  3. Product billing configuration enrichment  includes optional inputs for process IDs, ordered items, suborders, and invoice numbers.
  4. The CDG (Customer Defined Group) enrichment  helps SP to group orders together. These enrichments collectively contribute to a smoother order fulfillment process.
6

Order Handoff

In this stage, the Solution provider (SP) submits the order. This action confirms and completes the order created during the order enrichment stage.  

All relevant details, including the main order, sub-orders, and installation specifics, are reviewed and solidified. Once the SP submits the order, they receive an acknowledgment, affirming that the order has been successfully submitted.