eBridgeConnections can, has and will do some pretty creative implementations, so please ask if you cannot find your eCommerce cart in the eBridge Blueprint builder, or are otherwise unsure about what services eBridge can provide.  The information below is to help you understand some options we have available if you do not see your desired eCommerce cart/web store.

Option #1: eBridge Builds a Connector
For carts that eBridge has NOT built a connector for (using the web store’s API – Application Programming Interface), eBridge can build a connector, provided:

• A Web Store API actually exists
• The API is robust enough to facilitate the functionality required by the end-user. This could mean how frequently we are allowed to exchange data with the web store, or it could mean the contents of the data for any given touchpoint.

Be aware that not all API’s are created equally.  The data contents of each touchpoint (orders, inventory, prod/price, shipment) varies between carts and needs to be examined on a case-by-case basis.  Ultimately, eBridge is at the mercy of the web store, as would any other integration solution provider you may be examining.

Option #2: eBridge Provides API access to ePortal Integration Platform
eBridge has an API for ePortal (online integration platform) which allows people to exchange data using the ePortal-specific formats and methods.  The final integration with the web store (or any other external system for that matter) is the sole responsibility of the end user.  In other words, eBridge has nothing to do with the data once it leaves ePortal.

Option #3: File integration
Most carts have some type of file export/import functionality using either a delimited (CSV for example) or XML file format.

• Inbound from Web Store to ERP: If the end user exports orders from the web store and puts them somewhere, eBridge can pick them up (FTP or a folder on your network, for example), eBridge can integrate them into the accounting/ERP system.
• Outbound from ERP to Web Store: Opposite of inbound.  eBridge can export from the accounting/ERP system and create a delimited or XML file in web store-specific format.  It would be up to the end user to import that file into the web store which is usually a manual process.

eBridge can also repackage data from any structured format to any other structured format (delimited files and XML most commonly), as well as with custom databases. What are your data transformation and integration needs?

Article by Mike Catalfamo

Mike Catalfamo has over 10 years' experience delivering integrated eCommerce and EDI solutions and is the Technical Sales Engineer at eBridge Software Inc. When not chasing around his toddler, a few of Mike's interests include playing music, photography, reading, practicing GTD and exploring ways to make the most of technology to integrate and automate information and systems.

Integration, Technology Corner, Webstore Integration, eBRIDGE Blog, eCommerce