Hicks FTP order import process.

You will prepare an order file with the format described below.  You will place it in the “th” directory.  It must be a tab delimited file.  You have a great deal of leeway in the name you chose.  We suggest using the PO number as a file name. Include only one order per file.  For columns 1 thru 8 and 12 thru 15, only the first row’s data is used. 
	Name	Length		
1	Shipping method	8	Future 	
2	Your PO	16		
3	Ship to name	100		
4	Ship to address line 1	100		
5	Ship to address line 2	100		
6	Ship to city	30		
7	Ship to state	2		
8	Ship to ZIP code	10		
9	Hicks item number	13		
10	Quantity ordered	5,0		
11	Expected price	8,2		
12	FFL number	15	 	
13	Use FFL’s Physical or Mail address	1	Obsolete	
14	Consumer name	40	 	
15	Consumer phone number	40		

The expected price is optional.  It is only used when you believe there are pricing discrepancies.  We can compare what you expected to how the item was actually priced.  This column was added to aid a customer in determining that they were not updating their pricing properly.

Approximately once a minute, your “th” directory will be scanned for files.  Those files will be verified.  If they contain errors, they will be rejected and an email sent to you.  Any error will cause the entire file to fail.

You are encouraged to check your /fh/orders and /fh/problems directories for files.  Every order file you send Hicks will be placed in one of those two directories.

Between 1800 and 1815 CT and between 2250 and 0150 CT, the FTP server will accept files but they will not be processed until the background jobs complete. 

For optimum processing speed, it behooves you to have your account in good standing.  The credit manager must intervene for customers with past due or high balances.

Column 13 has been rendered obsolete.  We will ship to the address you send in the order file.  It is your reasonability to ensure that the address is safe and secure location for firearm shipments. 
Columns 14 and 15 are supplied to the receiving FFL via a packing slip. This facilitates them contacting your customer to inform them of the delivery.  Please provide some name and phone number for the receiving FFL to call.  Hicks has received many calls from frustrated FFLs.  Hicks cannot help the FFL if you do not provide the information.
Columns 12,14 and 15 are useful only for firearms drop ship.  They will not be used otherwise.
For firearms drop-ship.  You will place an image of the FFL in the “/th/fflonly” directory.  The file name must be the FFL.  Any special characters you put in the file name will be removed.  They do not affect our process either way.  154000010C00725.jpg is an example of a file name.   So far, we can process .jpg and .pdf files.  If you have another, please contact us.
This is the process:
1	The receipt of the order and the receipt of the FFL are asynchronous.  This means they can happen in any order.
2	Once the order is received and it is syntactically correct, inventory will be allocated.  
3	If we happen to have this particular FFL on file already, and image is not required.
4	Our office staff will verify the FFL image against the data file provided by the ATF.
5	If your credit is in good standing, a pick sheet will be prepared.   
6	A packing slip with the consumers name and phone number will be prepared
7	The order will be picked, packed and shipped.
8	Tracking data will be provided in our normal fashion.