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CSM-CPM CONNECTOR: GETTING STARTED

Setup Guide

CSM and CPM serve different needs and are designed to operate entirely independently from one another. However, if an organization deploys both extensions into the same environment, it is possible to integrate them with each other, using the CSM-CPM Connector. The CSM-CPM Connector provides a seamless transition of activity from one extension to another. When a customer places an order through an eCommerce platform and pays through an integrated payment platform, CSM will retrieve the order into Business Central. Standard order handling and shipping activities are handled through CSM, while the payment management components of the order are automatically handed off to CPM. In this way, users can manage all aspects of the transaction from within the ERP environment. 

This guide will present the necessary setup and configuration steps you must complete in order to integrate your CSM and CPM extensions. Regardless of which sales channel you are using, the overall setup process remains the same: you must set up or identify Stripe as a valid payment method, then perform setup activities for the channel in Business Central. Please select your platform from the list of CSM integrations that currently support connectivity to Stripe: 

  • CSM for BigCommerce
  • CSM for Magento
  • CSM for Shopify
  • CSM for WooCommerce

Managing the CSM-CPM Connector 

The CSM-CPM Connector is comprised of a separate extension, which you must download from Microsoft AppSource and install within your Business Central environment. Once installed, it is necessary to enable external communication for this extension: 

  • Use the Looking Glass to search for Extension Management and then choose the related link. 
  • On the Extension Management page, choose the CSM-CPM Connector extension. 
  • Choose the Configure action on the Manage tab in the ribbon. 
  • On the Extension Settings page, select the Allow HttpClientRequests check box. 

CSM Sales Channel Settings 

Each connected eCommerce site or channel is set up as a separate CSM sales channel within Business Central. The CSM sales channel has a number of configuration settings that allow you to dictate how CSM will process retrieved channel orders. 

With the presence of the CSM-CPM Connector, it is necessary to set a few sales channel fields to specific values in order for the integration between extensions to work properly: 

  • Use the looking to glass to search for CSM Sales Channels and then choose the related link. 
  • Open the CSM sales channel record you are integrating to CPM. 
  • Open the Order Management FastTab. 
  • In the Payment Behavior field, choose the Payments option. 

Note: by default, CSM will properly associate a payment retrieved from Stripe to an order retrieved from your ecommerce platform, but in some scenarios the out-of-the-box mapping may be incorrect.  

CSM Payment Methods 

Within CSM, it is possible to define “CSM payment methods” for each sales channel. CSM payment methods allow users to link payment method records between the connected eCommerce channel and Business Central. When a channel order is retrieved into Business Central, CSM uses this mapping to assign the desired payment method code to the corresponding sales order. 

When the CSM-CPM Connector is installed, it is also possible to map CSM channel payment methods to CPM payment platforms. When a channel order is retrieved into Business Central, this additional mapping is used by the CSM-CPM Connector to determine which CPM payment platform should be used for payment processing. 

To map a CSM payment method to a CPM payment platform: 

  • Open the CSM sales channel record for which you want to map payment methods. 
  • Choose the Related ribbon, then select the Setup menu and choose the Payment Methods action. 
  • In the CSM Payment Methods window, choose the line for the payment method you want to map to a CPM payment platform. 
  • In the CPM Payment Platform Code field, enter or use the AssistButton to assign a payment platform. 
  • If any option fields (Auto Application, Single Capture, Perform Invoice Capture, and Perform Capture for Zero Amt) are enabled, they must be unchecked. These option fields instruct CSM as to how invoice payment activity should be captured and communicated to the external channel. Because this activity will now be performed by the assigned CPM payment platform, we do not want CSM to continue to attempt these processes. 

In addition to this mapping, it is recommended that the Business Central payment method that you have mapped to the channel payment method in the Payment Method Code field should not have a defined balancing account. If a balancing account is assigned to the payment method, Business Central will automatically post a balancing entry to that account on transactions to which the payment method is assigned. While this is applicable for some transaction types, such as cash payments, it is not preferable for digital payments. 

The CSM-CPM Connector exists as a bridge between your CSM sales channels and CPM payment platforms; it in and of itself does not contain any new functionality or require particular processing activities. When the CSM-CPM Connector is installed and configured, CSM will no longer capture payments for retrieved eCommerce orders; this process is instead handed off to CPM. Payments will be captured according to the configuration settings of the CPM payment platform that has been mapped to the relevant CSM payment method. Depending on these settings, this will include the following activities: 

  • Customer records that are created via CSM will be automatically set up in Stripe, where their entered payment method is also stored. 
  • Captured payments are automatically recorded in Business Central and Stripe. 
  • Delayed capture payments are recorded as authorizations in Stripe. They will eventually be automatically or manually captured depending upon platform setup, at which point they are recorded in Business Central. 
  • Partial invoicing of an authorized payment will re-authorize the remaining payment amount depending on platform setup. 

While the features and functionality described above work in the same basic manner across all supported sales channels, certain characteristics of a given platform may impact or limit behavior.

In the instance of Magento, the following scenarios are unique: 

  • When a customer checks out as a guest, the CSM-CPM Connector will not establish a payment platform link between the Business Central and customer records that are subsequently created. This is because Stripe sets these up as guest customers and does not assign the dedicated customer ID that CPM would use to create a link to them. As a result, any processes that require the presence of a CPM customer link (such as reauthorization of a partially invoiced payment) are not available for guest customers. Although the customer link is not established, all payment information for the specific transaction remains associated to the proper orders and records. 

In the instance of BigCommerce, the following scenarios are unique: 

  • When a customer checks out as a guest, the CSM-CPM Connector will not establish a payment platform link between the Business Central and customer records that are subsequently created. This is because Stripe sets these up as guest customers and does not assign the dedicated customer ID that CPM would use to create a link to them. As a result, any processes that require the presence of a CPM customer link (such as reauthorization of a partially invoiced payment) are not available for guest customers. Although the customer link is not established, all payment information for the specific transaction remains associated to the proper orders and records. 
  • Reauthorization of credit card payments can only occur against credit cards that have been saved during the checkout process. You can enable this option when you are configuring the Stripe integration in BigCommerce. When this feature is enabled, customers will have the option to save a credit card at the time of purchase. 

In the instance of Shopify, the following scenarios are unique: 

  • When a customer checks out as a guest, the CSM-CPM Connector will not establish a payment platform link between the Business Central and customer records that are subsequently created. This is because Stripe sets these up as guest customers and does not assign the dedicated customer ID that CPM would use to create a link to them. Although the customer link is not established, all payment information for the specific transaction remains associated to the proper orders and records. 

In the instance of WooCommerce, the following scenarios are unique: 

  • When a customer checks out as a guest, the CSM-CPM Connector will not establish a payment platform link between the Business Central and customer records that are subsequently created. This is because Stripe sets these up as guest customers and does not assign the dedicated customer ID that CPM would use to create a link to them. As a result, any processes that require the presence of a CPM customer link (such as reauthorization of a partially invoiced payment) are not available for guest customers. Although the customer link is not established, all payment information for the specific transaction remains associated to the proper orders and records. 
  • It is not possible to fully ship and not invoice a WooCommerce order with the intention of invoicing it at a later date. This is because the concept of a dedicated invoicing activity does not exist in WooCommerce and as soon as an order is marked as shipped and complete, WooCommerce will automatically capture an authorized payment. It is, however, possible to partially ship and invoice a WooCommerce order, then ship and invoice the remainder at a later date. 
  • Reauthorization of credit card payments can only occur against credit cards that have been saved during the checkout process. You can enable this option when you are configuring the Stripe integration in WooCommerce. When this feature is enabled, customers will have the option to save a credit card at the time of purchase.