SupplierInputPacket

SupplierInputPacket is a data container used in supplier management and procurement systems to transmit supplier-provided information to a buyer’s platform. It serves as a generic envelope for inputs that influence catalog data, pricing, availability, orders, shipments, or supplier qualifications. Each packet typically corresponds to a single logical input event or update from the supplier.

A typical packet contains a header and a payload. The header includes identifiers such as supplierId, packetId, version, timestamp, and inputType, which indicates the nature of the data contained. The payload holds the actual data, often serialized in JSON or XML, and may reference a formal schema to enable validation and interpretation. Optional authentication and integrity fields, such as a digital signature or token and a checksum, may be included to ensure provenance and tamper resistance.

Processing and lifecycle are generally event-driven and asynchronous. Packets are delivered to a processing endpoint, validated against a schema, and subjected to business rules. Processing is intended to be idempotent to handle retries safely. If valid, the packet is accepted and its effects are applied (e.g., catalog item update, price revision, lead-time change, or shipment notice). If invalid, the packet is rejected with an errorCode and errorMessage for remediation and auditing.

Extensibility and governance considerations include versioning to maintain backward compatibility, optional fields for future data, access control, encryption in transit, and audit trails. Common use cases include supplier catalog updates, price or availability changes, order confirmations, and qualification data updates. While it may align with existing standards or formats (EDI, API schemas), SupplierInputPacket is a structural pattern rather than a single formal standard.