How OEMs and Retailers Work Together
An OEM or supplier connects with the retailers who sell for them. Once they are connected, the OEM can share posts with those retailers, and each retailer publishes them on their own channels.
Two kinds of account
When someone signs up, they choose OEM/Supplier or Retailer. The two see different parts of Tumbleweed, because they do different jobs. OEMs and suppliers create and share content. Retailers connect to the OEMs and suppliers they sell for.
The connection
Everything starts with a connection. An OEM or supplier invites a retailer by email from Co-op, then Retailers. The retailer does not need an account yet. If their email address has no account, they are invited to create one. Once their account is ready, the invitation waits in the Needs you section on their home screen, Today, and they accept it there.
After they connect
The retailer shows as Connected in the OEM's Retailers list. The OEM can then share a post with connected retailers using Network Broadcast. Each retailer publishes it on their own channels, under their own name.
Ending a connection
An OEM can select Disconnect next to a connected retailer on the Retailers list. Invitations that have not been accepted stay under Invitations until they are accepted or canceled.
Key rules
- A connection starts with an email invitation from the OEM or supplier.
- The retailer does not need an account before the invitation is sent.
- The retailer accepts the invitation from Needs you on Today.
- Connected retailers appear as Connected in the OEM's Retailers list.
- Broadcast posts are published on each retailer's own channels, under their own name.
- An OEM can disconnect a retailer from the Retailers list.
Common questions
Does the retailer need a Tumbleweed account first?
No. If their email has no account, they are invited to create one, and the invitation waits for them afterward.
Where does the retailer find the invitation?
In the Needs you section on Today, once they are signed in.
Can a retailer post to an OEM's channels?
No. Each side publishes on its own channels.