Purpose #
This article explains how Shopstars connects Shopify with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, and inventory platforms. It covers why these integrations matter, how they are implemented, what challenges are addressed, and how they are maintained over time. Clients should use this as the reference for understanding how business systems are synchronized with their Shopify store.
Why ERP and CRM Integrations Matter #
Shopify is powerful for storefront management, but most businesses also rely on backend systems to handle operations, customers, and inventory. Without integration, data must be entered manually, leading to inefficiencies, delays, and errors. Connecting Shopify to ERPs and CRMs ensures accurate data flow across sales, operations, and customer engagement, reducing overhead and enabling real-time insights.
ERP Integrations #
ERPs consolidate business functions such as accounting, inventory, and order management. Common ERPs used by clients include NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and Odoo.
Integration Goals
- Sync product catalogs, including SKUs, prices, and descriptions
- Synchronize order data from Shopify to ERP for invoicing and fulfillment
- Update inventory counts in real time to prevent overselling
- Reconcile financials with accounting modules
Methods
- Native ERP connectors available in the Shopify App Store
- Middleware such as Celigo, Patchworks, or MuleSoft for complex systems
- Custom API integrations built by Shopstars when pre-built solutions are not available
CRM Integrations #
CRMs such as HubSpot, Salesforce, or Zoho manage customer relationships, leads, and marketing automation.
Integration Goals
- Sync customer profiles and purchase history from Shopify to CRM
- Trigger email campaigns based on purchase events or customer segmentation
- Track customer lifetime value (LTV) and retention metrics
- Enable sales teams to view Shopify order history inside CRM dashboards
Methods
- Shopify apps and connectors for popular CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce
- API integrations using Shopify’s Customer and Order endpoints
- Marketing platform integrations (e.g., Klaviyo) for lifecycle email automation
Inventory Management Systems #
For merchants with large catalogs or multiple warehouses, specialized inventory tools like TradeGecko (QuickBooks Commerce), Cin7, or Brightpearl are integrated with Shopify.
Integration Goals
- Real-time inventory updates across multiple channels (Shopify, Amazon, retail POS)
- Purchase order automation with suppliers
- Low-stock alerts and replenishment workflows
- Centralized product data management
Challenges and Solutions #
- Data Conflicts: When ERP and Shopify both act as the “source of truth,” conflicts may arise. Shopstars ensures one system is designated as primary.
- Latency Issues: Middleware is configured for real-time sync where possible, but fallback batch updates are scheduled to prevent delays.
- Custom Fields: Many ERPs and CRMs use fields that don’t exist in Shopify. Shopstars maps these fields carefully to preserve critical data.
- Scalability: Integrations are designed to handle growth in product catalogs and order volume without breaking.
Maintenance and Monitoring #
Integrations are not “set and forget.” Shopstars performs:
- API health checks to confirm endpoints are functional
- Error logging and monitoring for failed syncs
- Regular reviews when Shopify or third-party platforms update their APIs
- Documentation in Basecamp for any changes made to integration workflows
Client Responsibilities #
Clients must:
- Provide API credentials or admin access to ERPs and CRMs
- Confirm which system serves as the source of truth for products, inventory, and customer data
- Notify Shopstars before making structural changes in ERPs or CRMs that may impact integrations
Summary #
ERP, CRM, and inventory integrations ensure Shopify is fully connected to backend systems, enabling seamless operations and customer management. Shopstars designs these integrations using connectors, middleware, or custom APIs, validates them with rigorous testing, and maintains them with ongoing monitoring. This approach eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors, and ensures businesses operate with accurate, real-time information.
