How to Eliminate Double Data Entry Between Shopify and Epicor

3 min read ● Silk Team

How to Avoid Duplicate Data Entry Between Shopify and Epicor Systems

In today’s fast-paced ecommerce world, efficiency is key to staying competitive. For businesses that use Shopify as their online store and Epicor as their enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, seamless data management between these platforms can be challenging. Duplicate data entry (manually entering the same data into both systems) not only results in wasted time but also increases the risk of errors, leading to inventory discrepancies, order fulfillment delays, and frustrated customers.

If you want to streamline your operations, improve data accuracy, and maximize productivity, avoiding duplicate data entry between Shopify and Epicor systems is essential. This article explains the why, how, and best practices for seamlessly integrating these powerful platforms.

Why is duplicate data entry a problem?

Duplicate data entry is an inefficient process where the same information (such as customer details, orders, inventory updates, or shipment tracking) is entered separately into Shopify and Epicor Big Commerce systems. This redundancy presents several pitfalls:

• Higher error rate: Manual entry increases the risk of typos, mismatched data, and missing entries.
• Wasted time: Employees spend valuable hours on repetitive tasks that don’t add strategic value.
• Delayed processes: Discrepancies lead to slower order fulfillment and inventory management, negatively impacting customer satisfaction.
• Reduced scalability: As order volume increases, duplicate data entry becomes unsustainable.

Step 1: Understand Your Systems

Before implementing a solution, it’s important to understand the role of each system:

• Shopify: A leading ecommerce platform that manages your online store, customer storefront, sales, and initial order capture.
• Epicor ERP: A comprehensive system for order fulfillment, inventory management, finance, and supply chain operations.
• Epicor Big Commerce Integration: Epicor supports direct integration with platforms like Big Commerce (an ecommerce solution similar to Shopify), signaling a trend toward native connectors and API usage. Although Shopify and Big Commerce are different platforms, the integration principles implemented in Epicor’s Big Commerce connectors can also serve as a guide for managing Shopify integrations.

Step 2: Leverage Middleware or Integration Tools

To avoid data duplication, companies often use middleware, software that acts as a bridge between Shopify and Epicor. Middleware tools such as Celigo, Sewel Systems, or Boomi facilitate data synchronization by automating the transfer of data in real-time or in scheduled batches.

Key benefits:

• Automated data synchronization: Customer orders, inventory updates, and shipping statuses are transferred seamlessly.
• Error reduction: Automated validation rules detect errors before synchronization.
• Customization: Tailor workflows to your unique business processes.
• Scalability: Easily scale the integration as your business grows.

Step 3: Leverage APIs for direct integration

Both Shopify and Epicor offer application programming interfaces (APIs) for direct communication between systems. A custom API integration can be developed to:

• Transfer Shopify orders directly to Epicor ERP.
• Update inventory levels in Shopify based on Epicor data.
• Sync customer account information from Epicor to Shopify.

This approach requires technical expertise but results in a tightly controlled, real-time data exchange environment. Leveraging existing Epicor connectors for platforms like Big Commerce can accelerate development by using similar API architectures.

Step 4: Implement Real-Time Inventory and Order Sync

One of the biggest benefits of the integration is real-time sync:

• Inventory Sync: Ensure Shopify reflects accurate inventory levels managed in Epicor, helping to prevent overselling.
• Order Management: Orders placed in Shopify are immediately routed to Epicor for fulfillment and invoicing.
• Shipping Updates: Shipment tracking data is sent back to Shopify to keep customers informed and improve transparency.

Step 5: Test, Train, and Optimize

Post-Implementation:

• Perform extensive testing to identify potential issues.
• Train your team on new processes and tools.
• Monitor performance and gather feedback to optimize your integration workflows.

Conclusion

By eliminating data duplication between Shopify and Epicor systems, your team can focus on strategic growth instead of tedious manual tasks. Whether you choose middleware solutions, custom API integrations, or Epicor’s Big Commerce connectors, smooth, automated data synchronization is key. By investing in smart integration strategies, you’ll not only reduce errors and delays, but also increase customer satisfaction and scale your business efficiently. Discover integration opportunities today and use your Shopify and Epicor systems together.

About the author: As a digital marketing and ecommerce integration specialist, I help companies connect online sales with ERP systems, driving efficiency and growth through smart technology solutions.