Integrating “Edara” with an Online Store Seamlessly

Integrating “Edara” with an online store is a crucial step in streamlining operations, ensuring accurate inventory management, and automating order processing.

This process requires careful preparation, starting with data cleaning to prevent errors, followed by a simulation phase to test real-world scenarios before going live.

By following a structured approach, businesses can achieve a seamless integration that enhances efficiency and ensures a smooth operational transition.

Steps for Preparing “Edara” to Integrate with an Online Store and Ensure Smooth Operation

The process of integrating “Edara” with an online store goes through several steps to ensure seamless connectivity and actual operation. Before starting the integration, it is essential to determine whether the customer wants to link to a single store or multiple stores.

This decision affects whether sales branches need to be created within “Edara.” This information is usually gathered during the Site Survey phase.

First: Data Cleaning

Data cleaning is a crucial step in preparing the initial data. This process involves removing errors, correcting incomplete or inaccurate information, and eliminating duplicates to ensure the accuracy and compatibility of the data before integration.

The integration process begins with a thorough analysis of the data in the online store. Since the data entry structure in “Edara” differs from other systems, it is necessary to ensure that the data is aligned with “Edara’s” standards. At this stage, there are four possible cases:

The first case: The customer is starting to use “Edara” and the online store at the same time

This is the easiest scenario since the customer is launching both systems together. As a result, the data entry and matching process is simpler.

The alignment of basic data, such as product names, codes, and prices, is done from the beginning, ensuring smooth integration.

The second case: The customer is already using “Edara” and now wants to start working with an online store

In this case, product data has already been recorded in “Edara,” which simplifies the matching process.

However, some customers may not have adhered to “Edara’s” specific data requirements. This makes the data cleaning process essential before transferring the information to the online store.

The cleaning process begins by verifying and adjusting the data in “Edara.” Once the data is corrected, it is used to populate the online store to ensure consistency between the two systems.

The third case: The customer owns an online store and now wants to start using “Edara”

This scenario presents more challenges than the previous one. Online store platforms generally allow greater flexibility in recording product data, which may lead to inconsistencies when integrating with “Edara.”

To address this, the data cleaning process must first be performed on the online store before aligning it with “Edara.” This ensures that product names, codes, and other key details match between both systems.

The fourth case: The customer has an online store and already uses “Edara” but has not linked them

This is the most complex case. Some businesses may start with a manual process where sales data from the online store is entered into “Edara” daily or weekly.

However, as sales increase, manual entry becomes inefficient, making integration necessary.

In this scenario, data cleaning must be performed separately on both the online store and “Edara.” Once the data in both systems is verified, the matching process is carried out to ensure consistency before establishing the connection.

When integrating with Shopify, it is essential to ensure that the SKU in Shopify matches the Item Code in “Edara”, and that the barcode in Shopify corresponds to the Part Number in “Edara.”

When integrating with WooCommerce, the only requirement is that the SKU in WooCommerce matches the SKU in “Edara.”

Read: Why Edara Partners Should Build a Specialized Team

Second: Simulation

After data cleaning is complete, the next step is running simulations to test the integration before going live. This involves conducting real-world tests on the online store to identify and resolve any issues early.

During this phase, the integration between “Edara” and the online store is set up, product data and pricing are entered, and test transactions are performed. The goal is to verify that inventory updates correctly, orders are processed accurately, and any modifications in product data are reflected in real-time.

To ensure that the system functions smoothly, several test operations must be conducted, including:

• Placing an order from the online store and verifying that all order details are correctly transferred to “Edara.”
• Approving the order and processing warehouse dispatch.
• Creating a payment record for the order.
• Confirming that inventory levels in the store are updated after a product is sold.
• Conducting a purchase transaction and ensuring that inventory increases accordingly.
• Modifying the name or price of a product and checking if the changes are updated in the store.
• Measuring the time required for each of these operations to ensure no data synchronization delays.

These simulations are typically performed in a test environment that replicates real conditions without affecting the live store. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to conduct tests directly on “Edara” and the online store in a real environment.

Determining whether to use a test or a real environment depends on the data-cleaning scenario:

The first case: The customer is starting with both “Edara” and the online store

Since both systems are being used for the first time, there is no previous data. This makes it easy to use them in a real environment for testing.

The second case: The customer has already been using “Edara” before launching an online store

In this situation, it is necessary to use a test environment in “Edara” to avoid affecting the existing data. It is also recommended to use a test environment on the online store as a precaution.

The third case: The customer has been using an online store before adopting “Edara”

This is the reverse of the previous case. Since the online store has existing data, a test environment should be used to prevent potential errors, and a test setup should also be applied to “Edara.”

The fourth case: The customer has been using both “Edara” and an online store separately

As this was the most complex case during data cleaning, it remained the most challenging during simulation. A test environment must be used for both “Edara” and the online store to ensure smooth integration.

At this stage, it is important to provide the customer with a trial period to test the system. The duration of this period depends on the business size. A retailer may need a shorter trial period than a manufacturer with a more complex workflow.

Additionally, the customer’s familiarity with “Edara” affects how long the trial lasts. Experienced users can complete the process faster, whereas new users may require more training and support.

Third: Go Live

Once testing is complete, the system transitions from the test phase to actual operation. The online store is now fully integrated with “Edara,” enabling order management, inventory updates, and payment processing in real-time.

Before officially launching, final checks are performed to ensure all functions work smoothly. These checks include monitoring order processing, real-time inventory updates, and verifying that product details appear correctly on the online store.

Read: Why Edara Partners Need Diverse Expertise

Fourth: Follow-up with the Customer

After the system goes live, continuous support is provided to the customer to address any issues that may arise during daily operations. This includes promptly responding to inquiries related to order processing, inventory updates, and data synchronization.

The follow-up period extends beyond the initial launch to ensure that the system runs smoothly and that the customer is fully comfortable using it. If necessary, additional training and support are provided to optimize operations.

Conclusion

Successfully integrating “Edara” with an online store requires careful data cleaning to eliminate errors before testing. The simulation phase ensures smooth order processing, inventory updates, and real-time data accuracy.

Once in actual operation, continuous monitoring and customer support are essential to maintain system performance and ensure long-term success.