This guide provides new suppliers with a practical, end-to-end process for preparing their own TrueAuto account for a new trading partner. It explains how to review, complete and validate the master data and operating rules that TrueAuto uses to turn customer demand into accurate shipments, labels, ASNs and invoices—including part cross-references, packaging attributes, addresses, pricing, ship date adjustments and email notifications. By following the steps in sequence, suppliers can establish consistent data, confirm that key calculations and document outputs behave as expected, and enter UAT with a controlled, support-ready set-up.

Before UAT starts with a new trading partner, your TrueAuto account needs a connected chain of master data. The trading partner's demand identifies their part and destination. You supply the rest: your own part number, how the part is packed, where it ships from, what it costs, and who is told when something happens. That data then drives shipments, labels, ASNs and invoices.

“What happens when new EDI demand arrives: TrueAuto first checks whether the part numbers and addresses supplied by your trading partner already exist in your account. If it finds a matching record, it keeps that record and adds or updates the information received in the EDI. If no matching record exists, TrueAuto creates a new one using the details provided. Because an EDI message may not contain every item needed for shipping, labelling or invoicing, you should review these records and complete any missing information before UAT

• Your TrueAuto account is active, and the new trading partner is already available to you as a customer.

• You can sign in and see the Functions, Features and Settings menu. User creation and permission changes are outside this guide.

• You have the trading partner's onboarding information: your supplier code, part numbers, Ship To codes, packaging and label requirements.

Work through the sections in the order shown. Internal Parts come first because each Trading Partner Part is linked to one of your internal SKUs, and the same applies to packaging: create your Internal Packaging before Trading Partner Packaging. Addresses sit between the two so your parts and packaging are ready when shipments are built.

Before you begin, gather and confirm the information listed below. Using one agreed source will ensure everyone enters the same details in TrueAuto. Appendix A is a worksheet you can fill in and keep as evidence.

1. Open TrueAuto and sign in with your supplied credentials. (If your initial login period, as noted on the welcome email, has expired or you are having any difficulty logging in then please contact TrueAuto through the details previously supplied to you in the welcome email)

2. Expand Settings and confirm you can see Trading Partner Parts, Internal Parts, Trading Partner Packaging, Internal Packaging, Addresses and Email Notifications.

3. Open Customer Demand Mgt and review Forecast Orders and Firm Orders. If test demand has already arrived, note the supplier code, Ship To code and part numbers shown on a demand line. These are the reference keys for every step that follows.

If no demand has arrived yet, use the codes from the trading partner's onboarding information. TrueAuto will match incoming demand to your records when it arrives, so keep the codes exactly as the trading partner supplied them.

An Internal Part records your product part number or SKU. Set these up first. The Trading Partner Part, in the next step links the trading partner's part number to one of your Internal Parts, so the internal part number must already exist for you to select it as the Internal Part. When you ship against a trading partner's part numbers, TrueAuto also records the activity against your internal part number.

1. Select Settings > Internal Parts and search for your part number.

2. If it exists, open it. If not, select New.

3. On the General tab enter the fields below, using the values from your data sheet.

4. Once you have edited and maintained the attributes of the Internal part then please ensure you uncheck the ‘New’ checkbox. TrueAuto uses the ‘New’ checkbox to help suppliers identify new parts and packaging that require your attention. Select Save.

5. Once the trading partner part has been linked to your internal part number, the Customer Parts tab will show the cross reference to a Trading Partner part.

Enter your packing quantities against the Trading Partner Part. TrueAuto uses Qty/Pack to determine how many parts go into each container and Qty/Master to determine how many parts go onto each pallet or master load. If similar values appear on the Internal Part, check that the Trading Partner Part is still completed, as these are the values TrueAuto uses when preparing shipments and labels.

This record is the center of your setup. It links the trading partner's part to your internal part number and holds the defaults that automate paperwork and EDI.

1. Select Settings > Trading Partner Parts.

2. Search for the trading partner and the part number from the demand line, then open the record.

3. If no record exists, verify the part number first. Create a New part only when the part is confirmed missing (for example a test part or a non-EDI trading partner).

Check your quantities. Qty/Pack is pieces per inner container. Qty/Master is pieces per master or pallet, not a count of boxes.

Example: Qty/Master = 180 and Qty/Pack = 60. If you print labels for 360 pieces, 360 / 180 = 2 master labels print automatically. If you print for 300 pieces, 300 / 180 = 1.67, so no master label prints.

1. The Slate label defaults have already been setup according to the Slate requirements,

2. For questions or issues please contact the TrueAuto helpdesk

“Note:The Label Field Values tab holds default data that TrueAuto pulls into the label when it prints. Complete it if the trading partner's label needs fixed values.”

Country of Origin is mandatory in many EDI documents and customs paperwork, especially in automotive. If TrueAuto displays the message "Country of Origin (CoO) is required for Part Number", return to this record and fill in Origin of Country.

To set or change origin for many parts at once, use Settings > Country of Origin Adjuster:

1. Select the Spec option and choose the Trading Partner, then View Part List.

2. Select the parts and click Continue. You may select all the parts at once from the checkbox at the top of the column

3. On Update Country of Origin, enter the values for Barcode Labels, Shipper/ASN and Other Paperwork.

4. Click Update.

• Allowance Charge Configuration: add standing allowances, charges or tax lines. Select New, choose Type (Allowance, Charge or Tax), Code, and the Percent or Amount, then Save. These appear on invoice line items.

Once you have edited and maintained the attributes of the trading part then please ensure you uncheck the ‘New’ checkbox. TrueAuto uses the ‘New’ checkbox to help suppliers identify new parts and packaging that require your attention.
​Select Save, reopen the part and confirm that Supplier Part, Qty/Pack, Qty/Master, Unit Price and the label defaults were kept. Then open Settings > Internal Parts, open your SKU and check the Customer Parts tab lists the trading partner part. After you complete the packaging steps (sections 7 and 8), return to this record and confirm Returnable Ctn and Returnable Plt match your packaging records.

Addresses define every address a trading partner uses for paperwork and outgoing EDI. TrueAuto may receive an address code without the mailing address itself, or you may use an intermediate consignee that was never sent electronically, so review every address and complete the physical details.

1. Select Settings > Addresses.

2. Find the Ship To record for the trading partner (use the Ship To code from demand or the onboarding information) and open it.

3. On the General tab confirm the Code Type identifies it as Ship To (ST), the Address Code matches the demand value, and the Code Qualifier matches the demand, (typically 92 as in defined by the buyer)

4. Confirm Company, Address 1, City, State, Zip \ Postal Code and Country. Complete anything missing.

5. Once you have edited and maintained the address then please ensure you uncheck the ‘New’ checkbox. TrueAuto uses the ‘New’ checkbox to help suppliers identify any new addresses that require your attention. Select Save.

Do not overwrite with a different active destination. If the trading partner has more than one plant or ship to location, each plant \ location keeps its own Address record and code.

1. In Settings > Addresses, search for your Ship From record for this trading partner. Open it if it exists. Select New only if it is genuinely missing.

2. Set Trading Partner to the new trading partner.

3. Click the search icon in Code Type and, on the Select Address Qualifier window, choose Ship From and select Select.

4. Enter the Address Code exactly as it must appear on shipments and ASNs, and a Short Name. If you do not know the correct Code Qualifier use a default of 92.

5. Enter Company, Address 1, Address 2 if needed, City, State, Zip Code and Country.

6. On Accounting/Contacts, enter the shipping Contact, Department, Phone and Email. Use Our Cust Nbr or Our Vendor Nbr to link to your ERP or the number the trading partner uses for you, if provided.

7. Select Save, reopen the record and confirm the code and full address.

1. Search Addresses for your legal or remit-to record. Create it with New if it is missing.

2. Confirm the legal company name and complete remit-to address.

3. Choose a Code Type and Address Code that are not already used by a Ship From or Ship To record.

4. Add the finance contact, phone and email on Accounting/Contacts, then Save.

Internal Packaging holds your own packaging part numbers or SKUs; in the same way Internal Parts holds your product part numbers. Create these before Trading Partner Packaging so you can select them as the Supplier Ctn ID in the next step.

1. Select Settings > Internal Packaging and search for your packaging part number.

2. If it exists, open it. If not, select New.

3. On the General tab enter the fields below, using the values from your data sheet.

4. Select Save and reopen the record to confirm the values were kept.

Once you have created Trading Partner Packaging in the next step, the Customer Packaging tab on this record lists the trading partner packaging linked to it.

The Packaging files automate tare weights on your shipments and tell TrueAuto how to build labels. Each package serial and master serial is assigned to a package type, and that package's weight is added to the tare total.

• Inner container: a box that holds individual parts and carries an inner container label.

• Outer container (pallet / skid): holds inner containers and carries a pallet label. A master pallet (label type MASTR) holds inner containers of the same part number. A mixed pallet (label type MIXED) holds different part numbers. Your trading partner MAY NOT allow mixed pallets, please check.

1. Select Settings > Trading Partner Packaging and search for the container ID the trading partner uses.

2. Open the record or select New if it is genuinely missing.

3. On the General tab complete the fields in the table below.

4. Scroll to Barcode Label Defaults and choose the label template in the Container, Master and Mixed dropdowns.

5. Once you have edited and maintained the attributes of the trading partner packaging then please ensure you uncheck the ‘New’ checkbox. TrueAuto uses the ‘New’ checkbox to help suppliers identify new packaging that requires your attention. Select Save and reopen the record to confirm the values stuck.

1. Remain in Settings > Trading Partner Packaging and search for the pallet or master container ID.

2. Open it or create it with New + if confirmed missing.

3. Enter the container ID, your container ID, description, returnable status, empty weight and dimensions.

4. In Barcode Label Defaults select the Master (and, if used, Mixed) label template.

5. Select Save.

You MUST first setup your ancillary packaging item, create a new packaging item making sure you select the packaging category and set to ‘Ancillary Packaging’
Use the Layers tab when one package is built from components, for example a pallet made up of a base and layers of boxes. Select New, choose the Returnable Component with the search icon, enter Quantity, Description and Multiply By, then OK.

In the package list, the Sustainability column shows whether your packaging is Returnable or Non-Returnable.

Packaging result: for each part you must be able to state pieces per inner container, containers or pieces per master, the inner container ID, the pallet ID, whether each is returnable, empty weights and the labels to print.

Email Notifications allow TrueAuto to automatically alert the appropriate people in your organization when selected EDI transactions are received or sent, such as new customer demand, shipment information or invoices. You can create individual email contacts, organize them into groups such as Planning, Shipping or Accounts Receivable, and choose which groups receive each type of notification, with or without a PDF copy of the document. This helps your teams see important activity promptly, take the required action and avoid having to monitor TrueAuto continuously.

1. Select Settings > Email Notifications. On Email Addresses, select New, enter the name and email address, and Save. New addresses are Enabled by default.

2. On Email Groups, select New and create groups such as Planning, Shipping, Accounts Receivable and Exception Review.

3. Open each group, select Assign, tick the enabled addresses and confirm. Only enabled addresses can be assigned.

4. On Email Notifications, select a transaction (for example incoming ORDERS or outgoing INVOIC). Choose Email with PDF or Email without PDF and select Assign.

5. Choose the enabled groups to receive it, click OK, confirm, then close the settings window.

Choose None only when you intentionally do not want a notification. Disabled groups receive nothing, and unassigning a group stops every address in it.

The Ship Date Adjuster changes ‘Our Ship Date’ when the trading partner's requested ship date and time differs from when you can ship. The original requested ship date is never changed. It is commonly used in two cases:

• Delivery date only: when the trading partner sends only a delivery date on EDI, the ship date defaults to that delivery date. Use the adjuster to set a realistic ship date based on transit time.

• Non-shipping days: to allow for weekends, holidays and abnormal weekly hours.

Agree three things with your shipping team before you enter anything: the transit time to each trading partner Ship To, the days of the week you do not ship, and your no-ship holidays. Hours are entered against the day of the week the request arrives on. Positive hours move your ship date later than the requested date. Negative hours move it earlier.

Example: the trading partner requests only a delivery date, transit is two days, and you do not ship at the weekend. Wednesday to Saturday deliveries ship two days earlier (-48 hours). A Sunday delivery ships on Friday.

This table is an illustration only (two-day transit, no weekend shipping). Enter your own values and confirm them with the Test Adjuster in section 10.4.

Create one record for each trading partner, Ship To, supplier and Ship From combination. These come from the addresses you set up in section 6.

1. Select Settings > Ship Date Adjuster.

2. Click New.

3. On the General tab, select the Trading Partner from the drop-down list.

4. Click the search icon in Ship To and select the Ship To on the Browse Ship To window.

5. Click the search icon in Supplier and select your supplier code on the Browse Supplier Code window.

6. Click the search icon in Ship From and select your Ship From on the Browse Ship From window.

7. For each day of the week, Sunday to Saturday, enter the number of hours to adjust the ship date by.

8. Click Save.

To review or change a record later, select the Trading Partner on the Ship Date Adjuster screen, click Filter, open the record, make your changes and Save.

Add the days you do not ship to Holiday Management. The adjuster sets the ship date to one day earlier than each holiday and works together with your normal day-of-week adjustments. For example, if you do not ship on Thanksgiving Day or the day after, the adjusted ship date becomes the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

1. Select Settings > Ship Date Adjuster and click Set Holidays.

2. On Holiday Management, click New.

3. On Insert Holiday, enter the Date. The Day of Week fills in automatically.

4. Tick No Ship and click Save.

To remove a holiday, select it on Holiday Management and click Delete.

Test every record after you create it, with a date for each day of the week and each holiday.

1. Select Settings > Ship Date Adjuster and select the record to test.

2. Click Test Adjuster.

3. On Date Testing, use the search icons to select the Ship To, Supplier and Ship From.

4. Enter a date in Enter Date. The Will Become field shows the adjusted ship date.

5. Compare the result with your rules. If it is wrong, correct the hours on the record and test again.

Use Adjust Existing to reset the ‘our ship dates’ on demand already in TrueAuto, for example after you create a record or correct the hours.

1. Select Settings > Ship Date Adjuster and select the record.

2. Click Adjust Existing.

3. On the Reset Ship Dates window, complete the fields in the table below.

4. Click OK.

Adjust Existing also lets you include orders that already had a purchase order acknowledgement sent, and has extra checkboxes to refine which firm orders are updated. No setup is needed for this.

To delete a record, select it on the Ship Date Adjuster screen, click Delete and confirm with OK.

Requested dates stay intact. The adjuster only changes Our Ship Date. Always run the Test Adjuster before relying on a new record.

These items let a shipment become a correct ASN and invoice. Confirm each one before UAT.

Zero-value invoice? Check the part's Unit Price, currency and related commercial data before sending the invoice.

If you have many parts, packages or addresses and Tools > Data Upload appears in your menu, you can load them from CSV files instead of keying them one by one. Supported types are Internal Parts, Trading Partner Parts, Addresses, Internal Packaging and Trading Partner Packaging. Load them in the same order as this guide, starting with Internal Parts.

1. Download the current CSV template workbook (version 1.5, AutoMasterData_v1.5_CSVTemplates.xlsx) from the TrueAuto Data Upload help article.

2. Prepare one data type per CSV file. It is very IMPORTANAT to follow the user guidelines that are included in the support document that can be downloaded from the link on the Data Upload page

3. Select Tools > Data Upload. On the Upload tab drag in the CSV or select it, click Upload, and click OK on the confirmation.

4. When the progress bar finishes, click OK. You are taken to the Status tab.

5. Check the Status. Finished means the data was integrated. Error means the upload failed. Click the status to read the Data Upload Errors, fix the file and upload again.

6. Note the file name, Upload ID and final status as evidence.

To undo a bad load, select the Upload ID on the Status tab and click Rollback. Only the most recent upload of a given data type can be rolled back, error records cannot, and rollback is for changed fields rather than new records.

Always sample-check. A Finished status means the file processed. Open a sample of the resulting parts, packages and addresses before UAT.

A short proof confirms the setup drives the right behavior. Do this with a representative part and a draft shipment. Do not transmit any document to the trading partner until these checks pass.

Tick each item when complete. The reference column shows the matching line in the first-time supplier setup checklist.

Ready for UAT: when every item above is ticked, your account is ready for the trading partner's functional UAT scenarios.

No changes are required. You do not need to create or edit Ship To Cumulatives to prepare for UAT. This topic is for reference and review only.

TrueAuto creates a Ship To Cumulative record automatically the first time a part is requested for a location. It holds values specific to that part and Ship To, and it tracks cumulative quantities when the trading partner bases their requirements on them.

If you would like to look at one after test demand arrives, open Settings > Ship To Cumulatives and select a line. The General tab shows the part values used for that location, such as Qty/Pack, Qty/Master, returnable container and country of origin values, and the Product Activity tab shows shipment and receipt activity.

Everything you have configured in sections 4 to 10 feeds these records, so there is nothing further to set up here.

This guide draws on the TrueAuto User Guide and TrueAuto Help Center articles below. You can access these documents from within TrueAuto using the TrueAuto Support Service “Sheila”

TrueAuto User Guide: Trading Partner Parts

TrueAuto User Guide: Internal Parts

TrueAuto User Guide: Trading Partner Packaging

TrueAuto User Guide: Internal Packaging

TrueAuto User Guide: Addresses

TrueAuto User Guide: Ship To Cumulatives

TrueAuto User Guide: Email Notifications

Help Center: Adding a Trading Partner Part

Help Center: Adding a Country of Origin

Help Center: Understanding Outer Containers and Inner Containers

TrueAuto User Guide: Ship Date Adjuster

Help Center: Data Upload