Automate your workflow with the Synesty shopify Add-On
As a retailer, you have to manage an ever-growing amount of product data. This can quickly eat up a lot of time that could be invested elsewhere and have a greater impact on the company. In online retailing in particular, keeping data such as inventory and prices up to date is enormously important, especially in the multichannel environment. Automation and cost efficiency are therefore important key points. If more and more processes and data transfers are mapped automatically, you as a retailer will have more time to concentrate on your core business and scaling the company.
Product Data Management (PDM)
The following use cases in the area of product data management (PDM) can be realized with the Shopify add-on:
- holistic management of all product information
- Shopify import of products (creation of new articles incl. variants, product images and update of existing articles)
- Automate repricing (see our repricing options)
- Create data feed exports for price portals
- Data feed optimization for Google Shopping and price search engines
Order Management (OMS)
The Synesty Shopify Add-On also supports you in order management by automating the following processes:
- Shopify export of orders, e.g. to import them to an external merchandise management system, dropshipping provider or to a fulfillment service provider.
- Export of customer data e.g. for synchronization with CRM systems or email marketing software
- Import orders from external systems (e.g. ERP or suppliers)
- Updating order status and importing tracking numbers
- Shipping optimization
- Create CSV or XML imports and exports
- Import files from various data sources to or from Shopify (e.g. (S)FTP, Dropbox, Google Drive, HTTP, WebDAV)
Inventory Management
Finally, the following inventory management processes can be optimized with the help of the Shopify add-on:
- Automatic inventory and price update between store and third-party systems (e.g. via CSV file, XML or API)
- Import and export of products
- Automate dropshipping scenarios (provide price and inventory)
From the connection of ERP systems the integration of PIM systems and individual connectors, everything is possible with the Shopify Add-On by Synesty.
Enable a smooth and reliable data flow and avoid unnecessary workflows!
Save time
For online stores set up with the successful e-commerce software shopify, Synesty offers a solution that allows you to connect your store to any external system. Thanks to the shopify Add-On you can e.g. automate the data exchange of products. Also the import of customer data and orders between shopify and external systems can be mapped automatically, e.g. to realize supplier connections time-controlled or to update stock levels automatically.
Example video - supplier integration using Shopify as an example
Prerequisite for using the shopify Add-On
To take advantage of the shopify Add-On, all you need is:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does automated shopify processes mean?
Once you have created a flow(process), you can automate that flow using a schedule.
How can I import or export products to Shopify as a CSV file?
Produkte können ganz einfach mit einem Synesty Flow in Shopify importiert werden. For example, a CSV file can be downloaded via (S)FTP and then mapped to the Shopify product fields. As a starting point you can use
this template. The opposite way, i.e. exporting product data from Shopify is also no problem. Also for this there is
another template. This template first caches the exported products in a Synesty Datastore, from where they can be exported to any target format or system. For example, to create a CSV file for a product data feed from this, you still need a
CSVWriter Step and another step which pushes the data to some destination : e.g. a
FTPUpload.
How can I import orders from external systems or via CSV file into Shopify or export orders?
Orders can be imported or exported with a Synesty Flow in Shopify. The data export is a bit easier than the import.
For the import there is
a template, which contains a pre-filled datastore with test orders that are then created in Shopify. This datastore can be filled with own orders from an e.g. external marketplace, and then transferred to Shopify.
Exporting orders e.g. as CSV or XML file is also no problem. For this you can use this
template. This template first stores the exported orders in a Synesty Datastore, from where they can be exported to any target format or system. For example, to create from this a CSV file for an order data feed for your dropshipping supplier, you can use a
CSVWriter Step and a step that loads the data somewhere: e.g. a
FTPUpload. An XML export of the orders is also possible, which is shown in this
Cookbook.
Which shopify processes can I implement with Synesty?
With Synesty, the following processes can be automated in shopify:
- Export and import of order data
- Order processing
- Inventory and price update
- Bestands- und Preisupdate
- Inventory and price update
- Metafield retrieval and import
Some of these processes already exist in Synesty as ready-made templates. You can use these templates directly or adapt them individually. Prefabricated processes are for example:
- Product export and import
- Order export and import of Testorders
What is a shopify API / Interface / Connector?
shopify API and a shopify interface is basically the same. API steht für Application Programming Interface.
The shopify API is free and allows us to enable shopify's software to communicate with third-party tools. To this programming interface one can connect e.g. price search machines such as Idealo, in order to transmit the necessary data and to be so present in this price search machine.
A connector is the connecting piece between two systems or two interfaces.
What types of shopify APIs exists?
There are two different APIs at shopify:
- shopify Admin API
- shopify Storefront API
With the help of the Admin API, internal processes can be mapped, e.g. the integration of apps or features within your shopify store. This API allows you, for example, to collect email addresses within your shopify store and then forward them to your email marketing tool via the Admin API. In turn, the shopify Storefront API is needed to operate outside of the shopify store to enable customer-centric experiences.
What is the difference between shopify REST API and shopify interface?
The term interface covers the possibility of accessing the system from the outside. The REST API is one of these options. REST stands for Representational State Transfer. This programming interface is therefore based on the paradigms and behavior of the World Wide Web (WWW) and describes an approach for communication between client and server in networks.
How to connect to the shopify API (programming interface) with Synesty?
In addition to saving time through automation, user-friendliness is a high priority for us.
Synesty uses the REST API of shopify to export orders or articles from shopify. In combination with other Add-Ons, this data can be prepared according to the target system and then imported.
What is the advantage of the Synesty interface compared to the free interface of other systems?
There are various systems that offer free shopify plug-ins. However, these are tailored to specific tasks related to the respective system. For example, to exchange data between the respective system and your shopify store. However, some of these plug-ins are very restrictive and many steps are fixed.
Synesty, on the other hand, offers you a construction kit to directly connect a multitude of systems individually with each other. Furthermore, you can build the processes exactly according to your own needs, adapt them at any time or even extend them. To what extent the free plug-ins already cover your needs or not, has to be decided on a case-by-case basis. For example, if you 'only' want to sync existing data from one system to shopify and not fill any other channels (e.g. supplier data, price data, file exports to third parties, etc.), these plug-ins are already sufficient. However, if you want great flexibility in terms of automation scheduling, mapping of diverse data and a larger number of systems interacting with each other, Synesty is your solution.
How can I connect FTP, CSV, XML or APIs to shopify (Bulk Import, Bulk Export)?
With Synesty Studio you can connect shopify to all common data formats, data sources and systems like HTTP(S), (S)FTP, Dropbox, Google Drive and file formats like CSV data feeds, Excel XLS, XML or JSON. Synesty is particularly strong in the area of mass import, mass export, bulk updates or processing of mass data. All add-ons also offer steps for reading and writing data from the corresponding systems. Among them are e.g. e-commerce shop systems, ERP, Dropshipping suppliers, BME-Cat, marketplaces or online marketing software. This makes you extremely flexible and able to connect a wide variety of systems to shopify - mostly very simple due to ready-made building blocks (no code).
Steps like
Mapper and
Filter give you powerful tools to manipulate, filter or enrich the data to create any imaginable target format. This allows to do rather simple things (e.g. when a CSV file is enough) but also more complex use cases like XML files, REST API or GraphQL integrations. Through the integrated scripting language Freemarker you have the full power like IF-THEN-ELSE logics and loops to customize your integration.
Can I use Synesty for the switch or migration to shopify?
Yes, Synesty is ideally suited for transitioning or migrating to shopify. The platform boasts a plethora of tools and features designed specifically to efficiently transform and integrate external data into shopify. Here are some of the benefits and aspects you should consider:
Data Integration: Synesty supports numerous data formats and source systems. This means that no matter where your data originates from, you can effortlessly convert it into a format suitable for shopify.
Data Cleansing: Before migrating data, it's often essential to cleanse or normalize it. Synesty provides tools to eliminate duplicates, correct inconsistencies, and ensure that your data is accurate and uniform.
Automation: After the initial migration, you can utilize Synesty to automate recurring data transfers. This is especially beneficial if you need to regularly synchronize data between shopify and other systems.
Logging and Monitoring: Synesty offers detailed logs and notifications. This allows you to closely monitor the migration process and be instantly notified if any issues arise.
Scalability: Whether you're migrating a modest amount of data or vast databases, Synesty is designed to meet scalability demands, ensuring consistent performance. In summary, Synesty not only provides the tools for a successful migration to shopify, but it also ensures this process is smooth, secure, and efficient. After completing the migration, you can continue to rely on Synesty to manage all facets of data integration and automation.
Can I connect shopify with other APIs and tools (e.g. REST API, GraphQL, CSV) when there is no Synesty Add-On for my system?
Yes, if there is no dedicated Add-On yet, shopify can be connected and integrated via the
API-Connector-Tools. In other words, if there is an HTTP API or a file-based data exchange exists (e.g. (S)FTP or Cloud-Storage), then the connection is possible. Our tutorial
REST API Integration with Synesty shows how to do this.
Can I create backups of my data from shopify with Synesty?
Yes, Synesty offers powerful features to create backups of your data from shopify. With the specific Steps in the Add-On, you can not only export data from shopify but also convert it into various file formats, including CSV, XML, JSON, and ZIP. This provides you with the flexibility to choose the file format that best suits your requirements. Another advantage of Synesty is its integration with numerous external storage solutions. In addition to popular services such as S3, Dropbox, Google Drive, and FTP(S), Synesty also supports many other cloud and on-premise storage solutions. This ensures that you always have a reliable option to securely store your backups. Automation is another core aspect of the backup process with Synesty. You can set up automated backup scenarios, for example, to perform daily data backup in the late evening hours. This minimizes the risk of data loss and ensures that you always have up-to-date backup copies on hand. In addition to pure data backup, these backups can also be used for various business requirements. Whether it's for disaster recovery, to respond quickly to an emergency, for compliance purposes, to ensure you meet all legal requirements, or for synchronization purposes to match data between different systems or locations. Lastly, redundancy is another critical aspect for many businesses. With Synesty, you can not only secure data on a primary storage location but also on secondary (Cold or Hot-Standby) systems. This offers an additional layer of security, especially in high-availability environments where data availability is crucial.
What is Synesty Studio?
Synesty is a cloud-middleware for automating processes and connecting systems. It is a
No Code Connector which allows you to connect your Cloud-apps and APIs without programming with a simple drag&drop interface.
Learn more about
Use-cases.
Is the registration really for free?
Yes. You start with the free trial period. As long as you do not actively purchase anything, no costs will apply. The free trial period also ends as soon as you start purchasing a base-pack or Add-Ons.
More information about the FREE Trial.
Can I test all Steps and Add-Ons before purchasing?
Yes. Within this unlimited trial period for new customers you can try and play around with
all Add-Ons and Steps for free without purchasing anything. Only functionality is limited, so that productive use is not possible (e.g. limitation to max. 25 rows and records which can be processed)
Also after the free trial period you can test each Add-On in your
Sandbox, before purchasing.
More information about the FREE TrialWhat are Flows, Steps, Datastores und Upgrades?
- Base-packs, Add-Ons, Upgrades: You need at least one base-pack. A base-pack contains a basic setup of features and limits. Add-Ons contain new steps, functions and features for creating flows and automations. Upgrades can be purchased to increase your limits when you have exceeded them.
- Flow: is an executable automated process you create. It contains steps. A flow is comparable to receipe in a cookbook, containing instructions which are executed sequentially.
- Connector-Steps read input-data or write output-data e.g. files, APIs and external systems. The number of Connector-Steps is limited depending on the base-pack. You can also purchase Upgrades to increase this limit. Other step-types (Processing) are NOT limited. Connector-Steps are marked with the symbol.
Examples: FTPDownload, FTPUpload, GetOrders, AddOrders, GetProducts, UpdateProductData, UpdateStock, ExcelWriter, ExcelReader, ExcelSheetUpdate etc. are typical Connector-Steps.
Exceptions are e.g.: CSVReader, CSVWriter, JSONReader, VisualJSONReader, HTMLParser, Datastore Steps
- Run: is a single execution of a flow. If you run a single flow 1 x per day you need 31 runs per month.
- Traffic: The amount of data you transfer between by running flows (incoming and outgoing) will be counted per month. Each base pack contains a monthly limit of inclusive traffic.
- Datastore-storage: You can store data in Datastores, if you want to store data inside Synesty Studio. The number of records you can store is limited by your base pack. Records are stored in datastores and datastores are basically like databases or tables with rows and columns. The columns can be customized to store any kind of textual or numerical data like product data with 'title', 'description', 'stock', 'price' etc. You can use Flows to save, update and read from datastores. But: the rows you are reading from external sources, processing or exporting are unlimited (Except during the FREE test period).
If you have exceeded certain limits (depending on your base pack), flows will stop to run. When that happens you can try to remove any of the above to get below your limits again or you can purchase a higher base pack or
Upgrade.
How does Synesty handle privacy / GDPR?
Alle Daten werden in einem Rechenzentrum in Deutschland gespeichert. You always have full control over all stored data in your account. You are the data owner (data ownership). There are several export-functions you can use at any time, to backup and delete ALL your data.
More information about how Synesty handles privacy can be found
here.
Where can I find resources and videos to learn Synesty?
Our
Help page collects all important information on how you can acquire knowledge about Synesty. Under
Videos you can find our Quick Tips, Tutorials or User Stories.
I need support. What do you offer?
Synesty provides you with all the tools to do everything yourself: e.g. connecting systems, APIs and automating processes. In the Support-area of your account you find many ways to get support like user-manual, cookbooks, forum and knownledge-base.
Is there any training or course for beginners? Yes, in our
Basic Training you will learn step by step how to automate processes and build integrations with Synesty Studio.
I have issues setting up a flow. I need support. If you need individual support and consulting we offer various
Services
Partner-Network You can also contact one of our
verified partners to get a quote.