Custom ERP Integrations vs Prebuilt Connectors: How Manufacturers Choose the Right Fit
3 min read ● Silk Team
When a manufacturer decides to integrate its ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system with eCommerce, the first major architectural decision is whether to build a custom integration or use a pre-built connector. While this choice is often framed as a speed-versus-flexibility trade-off, the real difference is fit.
Choosing the wrong option does not just delay implementation—it creates long-term operational friction, limits scalability, and increases total cost of ownership. This article explains how both options work, where each succeeds or fails, and how manufacturers can determine which approach aligns with their business.
The High-Level Choice Is Not About Technology—It’s About Operations
At a high level:
- Pre-built connectors optimize for speed and standardization
- Custom integrations optimize for control and adaptability
The right decision depends on:
- Pricing complexity
- Inventory structure
- Order volume
- How differentiated your workflows are
What Pre-Built ERP Connectors Do
Pre-built connectors are packaged integrations designed to connect popular ERP systems and eCommerce platforms with minimal configuration.
Typical connector capabilities include:
- Basic product synchronization
- Inventory updates
- Order creation
- Customer record mapping
They are commonly used with platforms such as Shopify or Adobe Commerce and ERP systems like Oracle NetSuite.
Where Pre-Built Connectors Work Best
Pre-built connectors are a strong fit for manufacturers that:
- Use largely standardized pricing
- Have simple or centralized inventory models
- Operate at moderate order volumes
- Have ERP behaviors similar to typical eCommerce workflows
Key Advantages of Pre-Built Connectors
- Faster time to launch
- Lower initial implementation cost
- Less custom development to maintain initially
For manufacturers early in their digital commerce journey, connectors can be an effective starting point.
Where Pre-Built Connectors Fail
Connectors often struggle when manufacturers introduce:
- Contract or customer-specific pricing
- Multi-warehouse inventory allocation
- Partial shipments and backorders
- Custom order approvals or validations
Because connectors are designed for broad applicability, they often require workarounds to handle edge cases.
The Risk of Manual Workarounds
As complexity increases, teams frequently compensate by adding manual steps to fill the gaps left by connectors.
This reintroduces:
- Manual intervention
- Errors and delays
- Operational overhead
At this point, much of the value of integration is lost.
What Custom ERP Integrations Are Designed to Do
Custom ERP integrations are built specifically around a manufacturer’s workflows and data models instead of forcing the business to conform to standardized patterns.
They are often required when:
- ERP systems are heavily customized
- B2B pricing logic is complex
- Multiple sales channels must be supported
- Order volumes are high
Rather than adapting the business to the integration, the integration adapts to the business.
Where Custom ERP Integrations Succeed
Custom integrations perform best when:
- ERP logic must remain authoritative
- Pricing and inventory rules cannot be simplified
- Performance and reliability are critical
- Long-term scalability is required
Key Advantages of Custom ERP Integrations
- Complete control over data flow and logic
- Better handling of edge cases
- Greater adaptability to changing requirements
Although custom integrations require higher upfront investment, they often become the lower-cost option over time for complex operations.
Tradeoffs of Custom Solutions
Custom integrations are not inherently easier. Manufacturers must plan for:
- Higher initial development costs
- Ongoing maintenance responsibility
- Clear documentation and ownership
They deliver the most value when treated as a long-term capability rather than a one-time project.
Finding a Middle Ground: Hybrid Approaches
Many manufacturers adopt hybrid strategies, such as:
- Using connectors for basic product synchronization
- Applying custom middleware for pricing or inventory logic
- Performing targeted real-time validation at checkout
Hybrid approaches reduce risk, but only when clear integration boundaries are defined.
Determining the Right Option for Your Business
Key questions to ask include:
- Can we operate with standardized workflows?
- Is pricing accuracy critical to margin protection?
- How costly are our current manual workarounds?
- Do we expect significant growth or complexity in the next 2–3 years?
If your business relies heavily on exceptions, custom integration is usually the safer choice.
If simplicity and speed are the priority, a connector may be sufficient.
The Real Cost Manufacturers Often Overlook
The true cost is not initial development—it is the operational drag after go-live.
Pre-built connectors are faster and cheaper to launch, but custom integrations often cost less to operate as complexity grows.
Conclusion
Custom ERP integrations and pre-built connectors are not competing solutions—they are tools for different stages of maturity.
- Pre-built connectors help manufacturers get started quickly
- Custom integrations enable manufacturers to scale sustainably
The correct choice is the one that aligns with how your business actually operates—not how systems assume it should.