Shopify and Epicor Eclipse integration enables businesses to seamlessly integrate their ecommerce platform with their ERP system, allowing them to manage their online sales and inventories in real-time. Both Shopify and Epicor ERP solutions are robust platforms that offer a wide range of features and capabilities to organizations. However, in order to fully benefit from what these systems have to offer, they must frequently be integrated.
In reality, an end-to-end integrated approach can save you a lot of money and time that would otherwise be spent on manual data entry and human error. In this article, we will go over the integration procedure between Shopify and Epicor Eclipse, as well as the numerous options available to businesses.
Methods for Shopify Epicor Eclipse Integration
Custom Integration
Building customized connectors can be an option for firms with more sophisticated demands or specific requirements. Working with a development team to produce a custom solution that matches the specific needs of the organization is required. Custom integrations offers high customization options, especially for more unique requirements. That said, it would require expertise to execute, and need continued monitoring and maintenance.
Third-Party Platforms
Third-party integration platforms like DCKAP Integrator are specifically designed for distributors. These platforms work at the backend to integrate Shopify with Epicor Eclipse, enabling real-time data exchange. With features like product and inventory management, and customizable integration setups, DCKAP Integrator ensures great stability and improves overall efficiency.
It offers multi-channel integration options, rich reporting, and analytics features, automating the entire order fulfillment process. This improves operational efficiency across ecommerce operations, enhancing customer relationships and highlighting the importance of adopting new systems.
| 💡 DCKAP Integrator is a great choice for businesses looking for the best of customizations and middleware. The platform offers an ERP-first approach. It is also backed by a team of Epicor integration experts, capable of deploying integrations with any required customization. |
Also read: ERP Integration with Shopify [Methods & Challenges]
Use Cases For Your Shopify Eclipse Integration
Depending on the demands of the business, integrating Shopify with Epicor Eclipse might deliver a variety of benefits. Here are some use cases for merging these two systems:
Order Fulfillment
By integrating Shopify and Epicor Eclipse, businesses can speed up order fulfillment via automation. When a customer places an order on the internet, the system can generate a purchase order in Epicor Eclipse, which can subsequently be used to handle the fulfillment process.
Inventory Management
Integrating Shopify and Epicor Eclipse can assist firms in better managing their inventory. Businesses may ensure that their website and in-store inventories are constantly up to date by syncing inventory data across the two systems, eliminating the risk of overselling or stockouts.
Product Data Management
Integration allows businesses to effortlessly manage their products across many channels. Businesses can ensure that the same product information is used across all channels by syncing product data across the two systems.
Customer Data Management
By integrating Shopify with Epicor Eclipse, organizations may have a more comprehensive view of their customers. Businesses can better understand their customer’s behavior and preferences by syncing customer record between the two systems, which can assist to improve the customer experience.
Reporting and Analytics
Integrating ecommerce and ERP systems can provide businesses with a more comprehensive picture of their sales data, inventory, and consumer activity. It is easier to develop reports and evaluate data to make data-driven decisions when all data is centralized in one system.
Learn more: Epicor Eclipse ERP: Features, Benefits, Integration & More
Common Epicor Eclipse Integration Challenges and Solutions
Complex Matrix Pricing and Ecommerce Rules
Challenge: Eclipse can have complex customer-specific pricing that may be difficult to recreate in an ecommerce platform like Shopify.
Solution: Keep Eclipse as the single source of truth and use middleware to bring the right pricing into your ecommerce platform. So, instead of rebuilding all your pricing rules in Shopify, the integration can pull the correct customer-specific prices from Eclipse and keep them in sync.
Multi-Branch Inventory and High Order Volumes
Challenge: Distributors need inventory across multiple branches to stay in sync, especially when orders are coming in quickly.
Solution: Use delta syncing, where you only sync inventory that has actually changed. This way, you avoid repeatedly moving your entire catalogue between systems, keeping the inventory updates faster and helping reduce the risk of overselling.
Account Hierarchies, Credit Limits, and Payment Terms
Challenge: B2B customers can have sub-accounts, credit limits, payment terms, and other rules that need to be reflected in the ecommerce experience.
Solution: Clearly map customer accounts, line-item types, and order statuses between Eclipse and the connected systems. Your online checkout can follow the same rules as the ERP, including credit holds, payment terms, and job-site order requirements.
Unit of Measure (UOM) Conversions
Challenge: Distributors often sell products in different units, such as feet, boxes, reels, or individual pieces. This can get confusing when the same products are displayed online.
Solution: Standardize this information outside the ERP using a PIM or middleware data pipeline. By doing this, products can be presented with clear purchasing options online while the right units and conversions are still maintained in Eclipse.
API Rate Limits and Large Data Volumes
Challenge: Moving large amounts of data between systems can put pressure on APIs and servers, especially when you are constantly syncing full catalogues.
Solution: Use delta syncing and detailed transaction logging instead of relying on large, full-catalogue updates. Only changed data needs to move between systems, reducing the load and making it easier to identify, retry, and resolve failed transactions.
Benefits of a Shopify Epicor Eclipse Integration
Improved Customer Experience
By integrating Shopify with Epicor Eclipse, businesses may gain a more comprehensive view of their users. Businesses can better understand their customer’s behavior and preferences by syncing customer data between the two systems, which can assist to improve the user experience.
Increased Sales
By giving businesses a more full view of their items and consumers, integrating Shopify with Epicor Eclipse can help them increase sales. This can assist firms in making better-educated decisions on product pricing, promotions, and inventory management.
Improved Efficiency
Businesses can streamline their processes and boost efficiency by merging these two technologies. Businesses, for example, can cut the time and resources required to process and dispatch orders by automating the order fulfillment process.
Greater Data Visibility
By integrating Shopify with Epicor Eclipse, businesses may have a more complete picture of their sales data, inventory, and consumer activity. It is easier to develop reports and evaluate data to make data-driven decisions when all data is centralized in one system.
Improved Automation
Integrating Shopify with Epicor Eclipse can assist organizations in automating a variety of procedures and operations, including order processing, inventory management, and customer data management. This can help to reduce the amount of time and resources needed to manage these duties, allowing firms to focus on growing their operations.
Better Inventory Management
Integrating Shopify and Epicor Eclipse can assist firms in better managing their inventory. Businesses may ensure that their website and in-store inventories are constantly up to date by syncing inventory data across the two systems, eliminating the risk of overselling or stockouts.
Increased Scalability
Integrating Shopify and Epicor Eclipse can make it easier for businesses to scale their operations. Businesses may handle rising sales and customer numbers more efficiently by automating numerous jobs and processes.
Best Practices For Best Outcomes
- Determine whatever data must be communicated between the two systems. This contains product information, customer information, and sales information.
- Configure the API (Application Programming Interface) connections required for data flow between the two systems. This could include developing bespoke integrations or utilizing pre-built integrations or plugins.
- Test the integration to confirm that data is being transmitted appropriately and that no data compatibility or authentication issues exist.
- Set up any mapping and data transformations that are required to ensure that data is appropriately prepared for use in both systems.
- Set up any necessary routines, such as automated data updates or synchronization, to guarantee that data in both systems remain current.
- Monitor and maintain the integration to ensure that it continues to function properly and that any issues are fixed as soon as possible.
It’s crucial to note that the setup and configuration will differ based on the unique requirements of your integration and the technology you use to link the two systems, therefore it’s best to contact a developer or a professional for this reason.
How Do You Choose The Right Shopify Epicor Eclipse Integration?
When selecting a Shopify-Epicor Eclipse integration solution, keep the following considerations in mind:
- Capabilities for integration: The solution should be able to manage the specific data and functionality that has to be integrated between the two systems.
- Scalability: The solution should be able to handle a huge number of data and transactions while remaining performant.
- Security: To protect sensitive data, the solution should include powerful security measures.
- Ease of use: The solution should be simple to set up and use, especially for non-technical people.
- Flexibility: The solution should be adaptable and customized to your company’s specific demands.
- Cost: The solution should be affordable and offer good value for money.
- Support: The solution should include good customer support as well as documentation to assist you in troubleshooting any issues that may emerge.
- Integration with other systems: The solution should be compatible with other systems you use, such as accounting and inventory management software.
Before making a final decision, it is also advisable to conduct research on various integration options, read reviews, and compare features. You can also seek the advice of an expert or developer to assist you in selecting the best integration solution for your specific needs.
Top Integration Solution for Distributors & Manufacturers — DCKAP Integrator
DCKAP Integrator is a robust ERP-first middleware platform to seamlessly integrate Shopify with Epicor Eclipse. This low-code integration platform minimizes data duplication and automates manual data entry, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
Here’s how DCKAP Integrator can optimize your Shopify Epicor Eclipse integration:
- Real-time error detection ensures any issues are promptly identified and resolved, maintaining data integrity.
- Easily manage data flow between systems by using key features like the workflow builder, advanced mapping and modifiers, and more.
- Inventory levels synchronized across both systems, ensuring consistent stock levels.
- When new orders are placed on Shopify, Epicor Eclipse automatically generates purchase orders.
- Shopify customer data is imported into Epicor Eclipse, improving order tracking and customer management.
- Epicor Eclipse order and shipment data are exported to Shopify for automated order fulfillment.
DCKAP Integrator has extensive experience with Epicor products, including Eclipse, Prophet 21 (P21), and Kinetic, and connecting them with Shopify and other ecommerce platforms. DCKAP team handles the integration end to end, so your internal developers do not have to spend time managing the technical work. You simply provide the required APIs and documentation, and the team takes care of the rest.
Want to know how this integration could work for your business? Get in touch with us for a detailed walkthrough and see how DCKAP Integrator can fit into your Epicor Eclipse setup.
FAQs
What data is exchanged between Epicor Eclipse and Shopify?
The integration can exchange data such as products, customers, pricing, inventory, orders, shipping information, and order status. The exact data flow depends on your business requirements and which system should be the source of truth for each data type.
Do we need internal developers for Shopify Epicor Eclipse integration?
Not necessarily. With an integration platform like DCKAP Integrator, the DCKAP team can manage the technical integration, including data mapping, configuration, testing, and deployment. Your team mainly needs to provide the required APIs, documentation, and business requirements.
How long does it take to implement Shopify Epicor Eclipse integration?
The timeline depends on the number of data flows, custom pricing rules, product catalogue size, and other systems involved. A straightforward integration can take less time, while a more complex setup with multi-branch inventory, customer-specific pricing, and multiple workflows will require more planning and testing.
What should we consider before starting the integration?
Before starting, it is important to define what data needs to move between Eclipse and Shopify and which system will be the source of truth.
You should also review:
- Customer and product master data
- Customer-specific pricing rules
- Inventory across branches
- Units of measure and product variants
- Order and fulfilment workflows
- API availability and access
- Data mapping and sync frequency
Getting these details clear upfront can make the integration much smoother.
