B2B Partner Integration
Overview
The B2B Partner Integration reference architecture provides a standardised approach for exchanging business documents and real-time events with external trading partners — customers, suppliers, 3PLs, and carriers — using a hybrid EDI and API gateway model.
Architecture Diagram
Component Descriptions
- B2B Gateway: Handles AS2, SFTP, and legacy EDI protocols; performs message validation, acknowledgement, and partner onboarding.
- API Gateway: Provides RESTful endpoints for modern partner integrations; enforces authentication, rate limiting, and contract validation.
- Integration Platform: Orchestrates message transformation, routing, and error handling between external formats and internal systems.
- Message Broker: Decouples systems via async pub/sub for high-volume event flows (e.g. shipment events, inventory updates).
- Core Systems: ERP, WMS, TMS, and OMS act as message consumers and producers within the integration platform.
Key Design Decisions
- All partner communication is mediated through the B2B gateway; direct system-to-system partner access is prohibited.
- EDI partners are migrated to API where feasible as part of the partner onboarding process.
- All messages are logged and replayable for audit and error recovery purposes.