Skip to main content

​
Overview

Network connections enable companies to build secure, permission-based connections with suppliers and customers for real-time material data exchange. Instead of relying on static spreadsheets and email chains, companies can:
  • Access live inventory or demand data from partners to match against current demand
  • Share excess inventory with targeted customers for faster disposition
  • Improve procurement workflows by querying supplier availability in real-time
  • Maintain control over who sees what data through granular permissions
  • Reduce manual processes by eliminating spreadsheet exchanges and phone calls
This creates a private supply chain network where companies can discover opportunities, respond to quotes, and execute transactions more efficiently than traditional methods.

​
Querying Connections

Adding a querying connection allows you to search and retrieve data from nodes. You can query for specific part numbers, price ranges, availability, or any other parameters supported by the data schema. Querying is the foundation of discovering materials in your network. To add a query connection:
  1. Go to Querying in the Seminode app.
  2. Select Add Connection to open the Connect to Query modal.
  3. Provide any internal Node Name for the node you are adding.
  4. Provide the Websocket URL e.g. wss://company.seminode.com/<team>/<name>.
  5. Click Add Connection to finalize.

​
Posting Connections

Adding a posting connection allows you to publish your material lists to nodes. You can post inventory updates, new material listings, or demand requirements. When you post to a node, the data becomes available to authorized connections according to your permission settings. To add a posting connection:
  1. Go to Posting in the Seminode app.
  2. Select Add Connection to open the Connect to Post modal.
  3. Provide any internal Node Name for the node you are adding.
  4. Provide the Websocket URL e.g. wss://company.seminode.com/<team>/<name>.
  5. Click Add Connection to finalize.

​
Shared Views

Shared views let you create filtered, time-limited snapshots of your node data and share them with partners via a secure link. To create a shared view:
  1. Go to Shared Views in the Seminode app.
  2. Click Create View to open the Create Shared View modal.
  3. Select Nodes — search for and add the nodes whose listings you want to share.
  4. Choose Recipients — pick existing partners or partner groups, or type email addresses directly.
  5. Set Full Access on to share every listing from the selected nodes. Leave it off to configure filters that limit which listings the recipient sees.
  6. Set Can Send Quotes on to let recipients upload quotes against the shared listings — including bulk quote uploads — which land straight in your Inbox.
  7. Set an Expiration Date for the shared link and create the view.
You can resend shared view invitations or delete expired views from the shared views table.
Recipients verify with a one-time code sent to their email before viewing a shared link. With Can Send Quotes enabled, they can also quote directly against the shared listings from that link.

​
Discoverable Nodes

Nodes can be configured as discoverable, allowing other companies to find them and request connection permissions. Discoverable nodes appear in search results for companies searching for new network connections.

​
Connection Status

Querying connections display a status indicator (Active or Inactive) so you can see whether each connection is live. Status is checked when the page loads — reload the page to re-check.