Connect to an Activation Channel
Now that you are connected to the app from your PIM and landed on the Akeneo Activation App channel page, you can browse and select the channel(s) you want to connect to and start sending your product catalog to the retailers and marketplaces.
Channel List
On this page, from the available channel list, you can browse and discover new retailer channels you would like to send your catalogs to.
You can use the search bar to refine the channel search. You can also filter the channel list by country (e.g.: search for all the retailers and marketplace channels available in France or The United States).
The amount of available channels will be displayed next to the country filter.
Note: Please be aware that the number of channels you can link to is subject to your channel quotas. Once you surpass your allocated limit, you won't be able to connect to any further channels. If you need to adjust your quotas or add new retailer or marketplace channels, please contact your dedicated CSM for assistance.
Adding a Retailer or Marketplace Channel
Once you've selected the channel you would like to start sending products to from the available channel list, click “add this channel” on the channel card to connect to it.
This action creates the initial product data flow and enables you to create product catalogs inside that activation channel.
Once added, the retailer or marketplace channel(s) will be displayed in the connected channels section of the channel list page.
Note that some of the retailers and marketplaces (the ones working with APIs or SMTPs) will require credentials in order to connect properly to them. It will not be possible to successfully create the initial product data flow if valid credentials are not provided.
- For example, while working with Amazon, you will be requested to add your Seller ID
- For example, while working with NuOrder, you will be requested to add your SMTP credentials
By default, the connected channel will be paused, or its status set to inactive because there will not be any catalogs or products to export to the retailers or marketplace yet. This means there will be no automated data transfer between your PIM and the retailer or marketplace's activation channel. You can change the status from the activation channel header. You can have configured your channel's credentials properly and not have exported any products yet. In this case, the channel would be considered “live” but not "active"
- The channel card will be labeled as “paused” in the channel list if its status is inactive and "active if its status is active
The next step in the activation journey after connecting to a retailer or marketplace activation channel is to create a product catalog and start mapping your product following the retailer or marketplace requirements. You can read this dedicated article to get started.