Real-Time vs Batch Sync for Acumatica Ecommerce Integration: Which Is Better?
3 min read ● Silk Team
When you choose to integrate Acumatica with your eCommerce platform, there is one important technical choice that will have a large impact on your business: Will you have your eCommerce and Acumatica systems update in real time or will they update in batches?
At first glance, the two choices appear to be purely technical. However, in reality, the two will greatly affect how accurate your inventory is, how fast you fulfill orders, how reliable your reports are, and ultimately, how satisfied your customers are.
For companies growing their eCommerce, understanding the differences is very important.
What is Batch Synchronization?
Batch synchronization updates your data at set times (i.e., every 5 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.). For example:
- Orders are pulled and pushed into Acumatica every 15 minutes.
- Your inventory levels are updated in bulk at set times.
- Any price changes will update overnight.
Advantages of Using Batch Sync
- Less load on the system
- Easy to implement
- Fewer API calls
- Generally less expensive to develop initially
Batch synchronization works well for companies with:
- Low to moderate order volume
- Inventory is not time sensitive
- Simple SKU structure
Where Batch Sync Has Its Limitations
The largest problem with using batch sync is the delay. Even a 15 minute gap can lead to:
- Over-selling of hot items
- Fulfillment backlogs
- Short-term reporting errors
- Escalating customer service issues
Companies selling on platforms such as Shopify or Big Commerce have customers expecting instant accuracy.
What is Real-Time Synchronization?
Real-time (also referred to as event-driven) synchronization updates your systems immediately after an action occurs. Examples include:
- When an order is placed, the order automatically enters Acumatica.
- When your inventory changes in Acumatica, the inventory level is automatically reflected in your eCommerce system.
- Once a shipment is confirmed, the shipping information is automatically updated to track the shipment.
Instead of waiting for a set interval, the systems are communicating continuously through APIs or webhooks.
Advantages of Using Real-Time Sync
- Orders are processed in real-time
- Inventory levels are always visible
- Fulfillment cycles are faster
- Risk of over-sell is eliminated
- Improves customer satisfaction
For rapidly growing eCommerce companies, having this immediacy is vital.
Challenges of Using Real-Time Sync
- More API usage
- More complex architecture
- Must handle errors better
- Must monitor and log more frequently
If not properly implemented, real-time integrations can cause performance problems.
Real-Time vs Batch Sync Comparison
Below is a simple comparison of the two:
| Factor | Batch Sync | Real-Time Sync |
|---|---|---|
| Latency of Data | Minutes to hours | Immediately |
| Load on System | Less | More |
| Scalability | Moderate to High | High |
| Accuracy of Inventory | Delayed | Immediate |
| Complexity of Architecture | Low | High |
Which choice you make will depend on what your company needs to achieve.
When Batch Sync Is Enough
Batch synchronization is enough if:
- You sell small quantities of made-to-order products
- Your inventory turns slowly and consistently
- Not having immediate visibility into your inventory is not a “deal-breaker”
- Budget limits your ability to invest in the architecture
In those situations, batch synchronization provides the most cost effective reliability.
When Real-Time Sync Is Needed
Real-time synchronization is required when:
- You sell products that are in high demand or have limited stock
- You are selling across many different sales channels
- Your order volume fluctuates significantly
- Your customers rely on being able to see up-to-date information
- You are providing B2B pricing based on contracts
As the complexity of your orders increases, delayed data becomes a liability.
Hybrid Model: The Best of Both Worlds
Many scalable Acumatica eCommerce integrations take a hybrid model:
- Use real-time synchronization for inventory and orders.
- Use batch synchronization for reporting, product updates, and other non-critical data.
This approach creates the best possible balance between performance and system efficiency.
Final Thoughts
The debate between real-time vs batch sync is not about which technology is preferred; it’s about the impact on your business.
If your Acumatica eCommerce integration is intended for growth, consider the following:
- Clearly define who owns the data.
- Implement real-time synchronization for workflows that are critical to revenue generation.
- Create a scalable architecture for your APIs.
- Automatically alert on errors and create a monitoring program.
Batch synchronization will work for early stage growth. As your order volume grows, however, real-time synchronization will shift from a “nice to have” to an operational requirement.
Select a model that supports where your business is going, not where it is currently.