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One of the most valuable aspects of connecting Acumatica to Shopify is real-time, bi-directional data synchronization. When configured properly, changes flow automatically between your ERP and storefront, eliminating manual data entry and keeping both systems aligned.
This guide covers how to configure and optimize bi-directional sync between Acumatica and Shopify, what data flows in each direction, and how to handle common sync scenarios.
If you haven't set up the connector yet, start with our Acumatica-Shopify Connector setup guide first.
Acumatica's native Shopify connector uses a Commerce Connector Engine that lives entirely within Acumatica. This engine uses REST APIs to send and receive data with Shopify, keeping both platforms synchronized as transactions occur.
Data flows from Acumatica to Shopify:
Data flows from Shopify to Acumatica:
The sync happens in near real-time as events occur, rather than on a scheduled batch basis. This means your inventory updates within seconds of a sale, and orders appear in Acumatica almost immediately after checkout.
Product data typically originates in Acumatica and syncs outbound to Shopify. Here's what you can synchronize:
Not every item in your ERP needs to appear on your storefront. Acumatica lets you export only preferred items using customizable filters:
This selective approach keeps your Shopify catalog clean and prevents internal-only items from appearing to customers.
For technical products common in manufacturing and B2B, you'll often need to sync data beyond standard Shopify fields. The connector supports importing, exporting, and filtering data synchronization with Shopify metafields for:
This is particularly useful for manufacturers who need to display spec sheets, certifications, or technical attributes. For more on managing technical product data, see our guide on Spec Sheet and CAD Downloads for Shopify Product Pages.
Accurate inventory is critical for B2B buyers who need to know what's available before placing large orders.
The connector exports inventory levels to Shopify per item and per location. This means:
Acumatica supports multiple units of measure per item, and the connector can sync inventory per unit of measure. This matters for B2B scenarios where customers might order in cases, pallets, or other bulk units while you track inventory in individual pieces.
Orders flow from Shopify into Acumatica automatically, creating the foundation for fulfillment, invoicing, and financial reporting.
When an order is placed on Shopify, the connector imports:
If you use Shopify POS for in-person sales, those transactions sync to Acumatica alongside eCommerce orders. Configure import settings specifically for POS transactions to handle:
For B2B operations where customers request quotes before ordering, the connector can import Shopify draft orders as sales quotes in Acumatica. This creates a workflow where:
This is valuable for manufacturers handling custom orders or negotiated pricing. For more on quote workflows, see RFQ Popups and Direct Sales Contact on B2B Shopify.
The Acumatica B2B on Shopify connector includes features specifically designed for business customers.
B2B customers often have multiple buyers placing orders on behalf of a company. The connector supports this hierarchy:
Pricing in B2B rarely follows a single price list. The connector syncs customer-specific pricing from Acumatica to Shopify based on:
When a B2B customer logs into your Shopify store, they see their negotiated prices rather than list prices. For setup details, see Customer-Specific Pricing on Shopify for B2B.
The connector maps Shopify payment terms to Acumatica credit terms, keeping payment expectations aligned between platforms. This streamlines B2B company data synchronization for account collection activities.
For more on configuring payment terms, see Net 90, Deposits, and Other Unique Payment Terms on Shopify.
Control which products each customer sees using customizable filters based on customer login. This lets you:
Once orders are fulfilled in Acumatica, shipment information syncs back to Shopify so customers can track their orders.
During shipment synchronization, the connector creates a separate shipment and tracking number in Shopify for each box in the shipment. This means:
For B2B orders that ship in multiple batches, each shipment syncs separately. Customers see accurate tracking for each portion of their order as it ships.
Returns and exchanges need to flow back to Acumatica for accurate financial reporting.
When you process a return or refund in Shopify, those updates reflect in Acumatica's financial system. The connector handles:
For Shopify POS orders, the connector supports directly importing exchanges to Acumatica, whether for the same product at the same price or a different product at a different price.
International operations require careful attention to currency and tax handling.
The connector offers flexibility in how currencies are handled:
Choose the approach that simplifies your reconciliation processes and aligns with how your finance team prefers to work.
Tax handling can be complex when multiple tax lines have the same tax ID but different rates. The connector provides advanced tax rate mapping with standardized substitution lists to:
If you operate multiple Shopify stores (perhaps separate B2B and B2C storefronts, or regional stores), Acumatica can connect to all of them.
You can run a blended Shopify store serving both B2B and B2C customers, or maintain dedicated storefronts for corporate and consumer customers. The connector supports either approach, with data routing to the appropriate areas in Acumatica.
Shopify includes fraud analysis capabilities that flag potentially risky orders. The connector integrates with this by:
This reduces online risk by catching suspicious orders before you ship product.
While the connector is designed for real-time sync, occasional delays can occur:
For most operations, these delays are seconds to minutes. If you're seeing longer delays, review your API usage and consider whether scheduled batch syncs might work better for certain data types.
When first configuring sync, start with fewer data types and expand gradually. This lets you:
Create documentation of how fields map between systems, especially for:
This documentation becomes invaluable when troubleshooting or onboarding new team members.
Regularly review sync logs and set up alerts for:
Catching issues early prevents them from compounding into bigger problems.
Before modifying sync configurations in production, test changes in a development or sandbox environment. This is especially important for:
Bi-directional sync is most powerful when integrated into your broader operational workflows.
Use Shopify Flow to automate actions based on synced data. For example:
For more on Shopify Flow automation, see Automating Back-office Processes with Shopify Flow.
For automation scenarios that span beyond Shopify and Acumatica, n8n can orchestrate workflows across multiple systems. This is useful for:
For guidance on choosing between automation tools, see Conditional Logic Automations: When to Use n8n vs Shopify Flow.
If you're running Acumatica and Shopify, bi-directional sync eliminates the manual data entry that slows down operations and introduces errors. The native connector handles the heavy lifting, but proper configuration ensures the data flows correctly for your specific business needs.
Start by mapping out which data needs to flow in each direction, then configure the connector systematically, testing each data type before moving to the next. For a complete walkthrough of the initial setup, see our Acumatica-Shopify Connector setup guide.
For a broader context on ERP integration strategies, our Shopify ERP Integration Guide covers general principles that apply across platforms.
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