Technical questions
The technical implementation of a shop integration raises numerous questions. From choosing the right API architecture through performance with large data volumes to error handling in distributed systems: in this section we address the technical details.
- How is data consistency between systems ensured? We achieve data consistency through multiple mechanisms: unique identifiers (master keys) link records across system boundaries. Timestamp-based delta synchronization ensures only changed data is transferred. Validation rules in the middleware check data for completeness and consistency before forwarding. And monitoring dashboards show the synchronization status of all data flows in real time.
- What happens when a system is temporarily unreachable? Our middleware architecture is designed for exactly this scenario. Messages are persistently stored in message queues. When a target system is unreachable, automatic retries with exponentially growing wait times are executed. A circuit breaker prevents overloading the failing system. After recovery, all pending messages are automatically delivered. Dead-letter queues catch messages that could not be delivered after defined attempts.
- How performant is synchronization with large data volumes? Performance depends on the chosen integration pattern and data volume. With REST APIs, typically 500 to 2,000 records per minute are realistic. Via message queues, we can process 10,000 to 50,000 messages per minute. For initial imports of large catalogs (100,000+ products), we use bulk import strategies with parallel processing. Delta synchronization during ongoing operations is significantly faster since only changes are transferred.
- What security measures protect data transfer? All data transfers are encrypted via TLS. API access is authenticated via OAuth 2.0 or API keys and protected by rate limiting. IP whitelisting restricts access to defined servers. All transactions are logged for audit purposes. Integration services run on servers in German data centers and are subject to GDPR. Personal data is stored only as long as required for the processing purpose.
- Can the integration be extended incrementally? Yes, our architecture is modularly designed. New data flows, additional systems and extended business logic can be added at any time without affecting existing integrations. The middleware serves as a central hub to which new systems can simply be connected. Typical extensions after the initial go-live include: DATEV integration, PIM connectivity, marketplace connection or extended inventory logic.
- Do you support real-time synchronization? Yes, for time-critical data flows we implement real-time synchronization via webhooks and event-based architecture. Typical real-time scenarios include stock changes (goods receipt, picking), order status changes and price changes. For less time-critical data flows like product master data synchronization, we often recommend interval-based synchronization (e.g., every 5 minutes), which uses system resources more efficiently.