What is Amazon Dash Replenishment?
Amazon Dash Replenishment is an Amazon service, integrated with Alexa, that you can add to your connected devices to make reordering supplies or replacement parts easy for your customers. Once set up, your customers can track supply levels within the Alexa app, receive notifications from Alexa when supplies are running low or parts need replacement, and smart reorder from Amazon when needed. Dash Replenishment takes advantage of Amazon's payment systems, customer service, and fulfillment network to give your customers access to Amazon's low prices, great selection, and reliable delivery.
Amazon Dash Replenishment allows you to enable smart reorders on a device that uses a consumable through the Alexa Smart Home API. These connected devices with consumable products (e.g. coffee machines, printers, washing machines) can inform Alexa of any product consumption using one of the InventorySensors. Alexa will enable customers to sign up for smart reordering, manage customer’s inventory, and notify/reorder more supplies when the customer is running low.
How long does it take to implement Dash Replenishment?
The implementation time varies, depending on if you already have an Alexa skill, if you have a device cloud, and if you devices are capable of emitting at least daily InventorySensor data.
What are the developer requirements to implement Dash Replenishment?
To implement Dash Replenishment, you can use the Alexa Smart Home Skill API, an AWS Lambda function and an Account Linking system.
Can I implement Change Updates without sending Amazon the complete device state dataset but only the device state data required to enable Dash Replenishment?
Change Updates require InventorySensor data to be sent to the Alexa cloud. No additional customer information is required at this stage.
What sensors are available to detect inventory level?
Each sensor type covers a specific device capability. The Level sensor is ideal for devices that are able to know exactly the total amount of inventory available on the device and send the remaining value to the Alexa cloud. The Usage sensor is ideal for devices that don’t have inventory installed, but know how much is consumed at each reading and rely on the customer storing the supplies somewhere in the home. The LevelUsage should be used when the device doesn’t know the remaining amount and doesn’t know how much is consumed at every reading. More information can be found here.
Who defines the replenishment thresholds for each device and consumable type?
Amazon will work with you to identify the ideal threshold.
Who defines the list of corresponding consumables?
Amazon will work with you to identify the list of consumables available for each of your devices.
What data are we sharing with Amazon and how does the data flow?
In order for Dash Replenishment to function, Amazon requires inventory consumption data. The data flows from the device, to your cloud, to the Alexa cloud.
What is the Dash Replenishment certification process?
To obtain Dash Replenishment certification on your device and Alexa skill:
1. Complete the Dash Replenishment end-to-end testing.
2. Submit your test results for Dash Replenishment certification.
3. Once you have completed Dash Replenishment certification, complete Alexa Skill certification to publish your skill.
How do I get my Dash Replenishment device Works with Alexa (WWA) certified?
Works with Alexa is a certification program that establishes your product's compatibility with Alexa, ensuring your customers have a great smart home experience. When your products are certified, they can carry the Works with Alexa badge on product packaging, on the Amazon detail page, notation in Amazon search, and become eligible for additional placements within the Amazon Smart Home Store. This increases customer confidence that your products integrate seamlessly with Alexa. Smart home device manufacturers must comply with the Works with Alexa Program Guidelines to be eligible to apply for Works with Alexa certification. Works with Alexa certification is required to use the Works with Alexa badge. To learn more, click here.
What is the Certified for Humans program?
Certified for Humans is an Amazon certification program for Alexa-compatible devices that identifies high-quality smart home experiences across setup, usability, and performance. Certified for Humans devices are struggle-free, tinker-free, stress-free. Learn more here about this certification.
How can customers register for Dash Replenishment?
Customers open the Alexa app and search for your Alexa Skill in Device Discovery. Once they enable it, the Alexa app asks the customer to link their customer account to Alexa. Once linked, the customer’s devices are discovered and they can setup Dash Replenishment during the setup flow. Customers can also change their settings from the Device Settings section in the Alexa app.
What happens if customers do not sign up for Dash Replenishment during device setup in the Alexa app?
When customers enable your Alexa Skill and discover their device, they are automatically put into low supply notification mode, which will notify them via email, and their Echo device’s notifications when it is time reorder. Customers who then opt into smart reordering through Dash Replenishment will be notified via email when orders are placed.
I don’t want to build my own device and cloud IoT implementation. Is there another way to start taking advantage of Dash Replenishment and Alexa Smart Home?
Alexa Connect Kit (ACK) is a managed service that makes it easy to integrate Alexa into your devices. You integrate the ACK module into your product and pay a one-time fixed cost. ACK provides the managed services, software, and tools you can use to develop and manage your Alexa-connected smart products on an ongoing basis. Learn more here.
Is it necessary to build my own companion app?
There is no strict dependency on a companion app to implement Dash Replenishment, but you can bring value-added functionality to your customers with a companion app. If you do not have app development capability today, Amazon can connect you with a development partner to implement your app and other components of your smart home ecosystem.
Does the customer interact with the Alexa app, an Echo device, or both when they manage their connected device?
Customers use the Alexa app to enable and manage their smart reorder preferences. They can ask Alexa how much supplies they have left, as well as update their household inventories if they purchase consumables outside Amazon or use consumables or other devices.
Do customers still need to use Log-in With Amazon (LWA)?
LWA is used for authentication, but it is not a separate implementation.
What kind of notifications will my customer receive? What is their frequency and will they interfere with my notifications to customers?
Customers will receive notifications from Alexa only when supplies are running low. These notifications are independent from any other notification being sent by you.
Do I need to commit to building an Alexa Skill?
Yes, a Smart Home Skill is required.
Will we have to go through Design and be approved by a Solutions Architect?
There is no requirement to have the UX or Architecture approved. Your device cloud will need to pass a simple set of certification checks to ensure that it is sending the correct data to the Alexa cloud to support Dash Replenishment.
What is Frustration Free Setup (FFS)?
Frustration-Free Setup (FFS) is an Amazon program which enables you to incorporate technology that can make device setup as easy for customers as opening a box and powering on a device. You can learn more about Frustration Free Setup here.
Smart reorders for Blink camera batteries: Learn how Blink integrated smart reorders into their security cameras. See the case study here.
