How to Synchronize Stocks in Several eCommerce Channels
Tags: tutorial, api, programming, webdev
Published: 2022-09-28 12:11:28

eCommerce is the process of selling products online and maintaining inventory control, tracking and management.

For eCommerce store owners, whether large or small, it is impossible to manage all this information manually. If a product is out of stock, it needs to be added in time so that customers do not switch to another site. Inventory synchronization between different eCommerce stores helps maintain an optimal amount of resources in all channels. 

For example, if an item is out of stock or a customer wants to return it, then it would be difficult for an eCommerce manager to know about these situations without using automation tools. Here is where inventory synchronization comes into play. Stock synchronization allows businesses to have access to information about their inventory at remote locations via software applications.

In this article you will find how various B2B SaaS systems can synchronize stock across multiple eCommerce channels. 

## Process of Inventory Synchronization in Different Software

Inventory management software is able to track sold products in all online stores. Any retail seller will benefit from the inventory management system. The first one would not have to worry if the goods were sold out in one online shop and still available in others. This information is part of the stock synchronization process itself.

ERP solutions also allow sellers to synchronize stock levels automatically and maintain stocks' accuracy and relevance on multiple channels. When a customer buys a product, such a system immediately changes the calculation of inventories. With automatic inventory updates, online store owners can prevent customers from becoming disappointed, and build trust and confidence among their customers.

One of the most prominent features of WMS is the ability to track and control inventories through multiple channels. Any actual stock updates are automatically displayed on all sales channels.

Another system that allows store owners to sync stock is multi-channel software. It will enable  e-sellers to adjust stocks and automatically update them, preventing situations when the goods are not enough in stock and resale.

Online store owners create their stores on different eCommerce platforms and marketplaces like  Amazon or eBay. In addition, they cooperate with different suppliers. In this case, dropshipping automation software will be useful, which solves many problems related to dropshipping, [including stock synchronization](https://api2cart.com/business/how-dropshipping-software-providers-can-simplify-inventory-synchronization/?utm_source=dev.to&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=stocksyncv.k).

This type of software automatically maintains inventory levels in synchronization with vendors and stores or eCommerce platforms. Automation also eliminates the possibility of any human error.

## Inventory synchronization workflow
B2B eCommerce solutions typically synchronize stock every few minutes or sometimes in real-time mode. The [inventory synchronization process works](https://api2cart.com/api-technology/woocommerce-sync-products/?utm_source=dev.to&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=stocksyncv.k) as follows:

- Merchants manually enter the number of products and distribute this info across various platforms, such as Wix or eBay. 
- The orders are placed on one of the channels on which online store owners sell
- Orders are imported into B2B eCommerce solution, which automatically adjusts the inventory. 
- Once the system counts the stock, it automatically updates info on different sales channels.

Retailers can track sales data and replenish inventories by using B2B SaaS solutions. However, to synchronize stock across multiple sales channels, these types of systems need to be integrated with eCommerce platforms. 

However, integration with each eСommerce platform manually is difficult. In addition, this is a rather massive task when considering several platforms. Therefore, any integration is a complex process and requires an expert to perform it perfectly. In addition, it is labor-intensive and expensive process.

## eCommerce Integration Challenges

Integrating with multiple eCommerce platforms can be challenging for B2B SaaS companies. The following are some of the difficulties they may face:

- The complexity of the process. Each eCommerce platform has its own specific architecture and logic, the study of which requires time and skills.
- The need for qualified specialists. In the case of B2B applications of eCommerce, many users rely on integration. Therefore, a poorly developed API can cause significant problems and customer losses. 
- Integration takes time. Development of one integration takes at least a month. Each integration, as we said above, is unique. So you can multiply that time by the number of platforms you want to integrate with.
- Costly integration. Each integration costs at least several thousand dollars. 
- When you finish integration, it is not the end of history. The integration needs further updating and maintenance. But, also, it will take time and resources because of the need for personnel to support integration.

As an outcome, it will lead to a loss of time and money. However, finding a pre-integrated solution to connect to different shopping platforms will certainly help.

## How easy is it to synchronize stocks across multiple sales channels?
With a firm intention to expand its business and save money, system providers are beginning to wander online searching for the right solution. Unified API integration solution helps make connection with the shopping platform simple and easy. To start using such service, you should:

1. Sign up for a new free account. 
2. Add your store. 
3. When a sale is made in one of your stores, you receive a notification of the order via the order.add event or by using the order.list method.
4. Update the inventory quantity on all sales channels with product.update API method with increase_quantity and decrease_quantity options.

Instead of integrating with each eCommerce platform separately, the best solution is to use a single API. 

For example, these solutions provide integration with[ more than 40 shopping platforms](https://api2cart.com/supported-platforms/?utm_source=dev.to&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=stocksyncv.k) simultaneously. Such services will facilitate integration with favorite and widely used baskets as WooCommerce, Shopify, BigCommerce, X-Cart, OpenCart and other top platforms. 

In addition, the services offer all the necessary API methods, which allows providing a function of stock sync for online store owners. You can also receive, add, update and delete information about orders, products, customers, shipments, categories, etc.