SAP Shopify Integration Explained: Methods, Benefits, and Tips 

Integrating an enterprise resource planning or ERP system with an eCommerce platform is good for both businesses and customers.  As exceptional customer experiences become a norm, integration has become important for B2B companies and more so for omnichannel businesses.

However, many businesses put off integration projects simply because they do not have time or want to manage costs. That is why we have compiled a comprehensive guide on SAP Shopify integration Sap Salesforce integration to help you get started at the right time. 

Do You Need SAP Shopify Integration?

Here are the top 9 reasons why you may want to consider integrating SAP and Shopify:

1. Offer real-time visibility into your inventory levels to your customers 
2. Scale easily by integrating with new applications, marketplaces, and retailers
3. Eliminate additional work related to manual data entry between SAP and Shopify 
4. Effectively manage resupply and your inventory costs 
5. Provide a complete view and enable easy customer account management so they are able to self-service their account
6. Significantly reduce time-consuming ‘where is my order’ calls
7. Simplify tax compliance with respect to tax rates and exemptions 
8. Eliminate the need to hire additional staff for manual order processing
9. Deliver exceptional customer experience  

Also read: SAP ERP Integration Explained

How SAP and Shopify Can Be Integrated 

Here are the three common ways for SAP Shopify integration:

1. Point-to-Point Integration (P2P)

It involves using custom codes to connect SAP and Shopify. 

Pros:

• Complete control over the integration process
• Meets the unique integration needs of your business

Cons: 

• Requires a dedicated and experienced development team 
• Time-consuming
•  If any team member with knowledge of P2P integration leaves in between, the integration project may be impacted
• No centralized place to monitor integration, making troubleshooting difficult 
• Lack of end-to-end automation of processes 

2. Native Integration

SAP and Shopify can be connected with their own APIs (application programming interfaces). For instance, Open Connector (REST API) is offered by SAP Business Accelerator Hub or SAP Business One (SAP B1) Integration on the Shopify App Store. 

Pros:

• Integration may be included in the subscription at no or low cost 
• Apps support teams may be involved to help you build and maintain integration over time 
• Pre-built connectors, templates, and processes 

Cons: 

• Apps may not offer all the integration your business may need
• Limited customization in integration (limited to mostly common use cases) 
• Lack of end-to-end automation of processes 

3. Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS)

A cloud-based, third-party middleware for integrating on-premise or cloud-based applications including Shopify and SAP. 

Pros:

• Centralized view of integrations
• Data protection; privacy and security for sensitive information
• Scalable integrations with a number of systems, apps, data sources, etc. 
• Flexible cost structures  

Cons: 

• May involve an initial learning curve 
• Building integrations can take time due to complexities, legacy systems, disparate data, etc. 

Recommended: eCommerce Integration: A Comprehensive Guide

SAP Shopify Integration: Step-By-Step Process 

Let us look at some of the basic steps that you need to get right when starting the SAP Shopify integration project. 

Step 1: Identify your critical data

When integrating systems like SAP and Shopify, focus on prioritizing the most critical data for your business needs. This may include order information, customer data, real-time stock levels, financial information, etc.  You may also want to dive deeper into the following. 

• The information included in the processes
• Key fields that may need to be moved within the systems, here SAP and Shopify
• System where data originates and where it moves or replicates 
• Flow of data between the systems, SAP and Shopify: frequency, duration, etc.
• Versions of Shopify (or Shopify Plus) and SAP being used along with the levels of customizations (for instance, SAP ECC will come to an end in 2027) 
• Business processes that may need to be integrated in the near future 

Step 2: Determine manual inefficient processes 

To get the most out of SAP Shopify integration, map out your error-prone, repetitive business processes wherein your team spends the most time. Automating these tasks during integration can make a significant difference. 

Step 3: Figure out the integration method 

As discussed above, you may consider the native integration capabilities of your ERP, use the API of your e-commerce platform, or go for a third-party integration platform with pre-built integration templates and processes. 

Older integration methods like point-to-point and enterprise service bus (ESB) are being replaced by more modern approaches. In the current landscape, cloud-based, scalable iPaaS solutions are the preferred choice for many companies, offering more flexibility and efficiency than traditional API integrations.

Using DCKAP Integrator for Robust SAP Shopify Integration 

With hundreds of integration tools available, choosing the right one can get tricky. DCKAP Integrator is a market-leading iPaaS in the distribution niche, synergizing better with your vendor and supply chain ecosystem. Cloud-based, low-code integration platform, DCKAP Integrator connects and synchronizes data across multiple platforms including eCommerce, ERP, inventory management solutions, CRM (customer relationship management), data warehouses, electronic data interchange or EDI databases, etc.    

Features that Simplify Shopify SAP Integration 

• Versatile and simple interface with no need for specific coding knowledge 
• Custom APIs to integrate multiple systems
• Scalable architecture with multi-platform integration feature
• Drag-and-drop feature for easy and successful project development
• Supports the specific needs of every business by mapping data
• Bidirectional data transfer for streamlining operations 
• Real-time data synchronization along with automated scheduling
• Secure and encrypted transactions
• Advanced logging feature to log and back up critical information 

Benefits of SAP Shopify Integration  

DCKAP Integrator not only accelerates SAP Shopify integration but also improves various outcomes in your day-to-day business operations. Let us look at some of the key benefits of SAP Shopify integration. 

Improved Access and Use of Data 

Linking SAP and Shopify ensures synchronized, real-time data to both systems. This centralized information benefits the entire organization, allowing teams like marketing and sales to generate insightful reports for more informed and strategic decision-making.

Visibility Into Inventory

During crises, demand surges and stock shortages can challenge even the best sellers. Without integrating SAP and Shopify, maintaining accurate inventory information on your Shopify store can be challenging. Integration ensures that both your team and customers have access to reliable, up-to-date inventory records. 

Cost Savings 

If you don’t synchronize purchase data from SAP with your Shopify online store, you might end up with excess inventory, make inaccurate forecasts, and provide incorrect information to vendors or suppliers. This can lead to stock shortages, unclear transactions, and inefficiency. With SAP Shopify integration, you can avoid these problems and open up more opportunities for cost savings.

Exceptional Customer Experience 

Customers prefer omnichannel experiences and self-service options instead of contacting sales representatives for order inquiries. Integrating SAP with Shopify enhances account tracking and personalization. This means customers get access to updates on their Shopify orders status, order history, and shipping information easily and quickly.

Increased Productivity 

Following SAP Shopify integration, consolidation of business data from across the organization eliminates the need for reconciling various data sets or searching for information. It also automates routine tasks, freeing up employees’ hours to focus on high-value activities.

Best Practices in Shopify SAP Integration 

Let us look at some of the best practices to keep in mind for SAP Shopify integration. 

1. Define your business needs and set realistic project goals, expectations, timelines, and budget. Also, consider maintenance cost. 
2. Have a designated person who will take complete responsibility for managing the data involved in the integration project. It is important that you ensure transparent and clear communication between the owner of the data and the integration team. 
3. Make sure your data is clean and standardized before initiating integration. 
4. Make sure both of the systems are integrated and updated. 
5. Select an integration provider who has rich experience and reputation in setting up and maintaining custom integrations. 
6. Choose the right integration platform. Determine if the integration solution is flexible and can grow with your business. 

Final Words 

With proper planning and the right integration solution, SAP Shopify integration can benefit both your business and customers. Improved data access, complete inventory visibility, data-driven decision-making, and automated workflows can catapult your business growth to new heights. 

Choose DCKAP Integrator as your trusted partner in SaaS-based integrations and ensure a hassle-free integration journey. Check out our pricing plans (they’re transparent!) to find your right, affordable integration match today.