All you need to know about shopware integrations

Shopware is one of the most popular open-source eCommerce platforms in Europe, developed by the German company Shopware AG. The company provides omnichannel solutions used by leading B2B and B2C retailers across Europe. Over 100,000 stores, including those in the Enterprise segment, use this software.

The Shopware platform consistently follows an API-first approach. Compared to other systems, Shopware 6 has the advantage of managing all store functions via API. These APIs enable integration with various systems such as ERP, CRM, and PIM, as well as with marketplaces, shipping and payment service providers. They also allow for secure access to the store platform for connecting customer-facing devices and conducting sales across multiple sales channels.

Shopware API

With Shopware 6, you get a powerful API to integrate third-party systems into your eCommerce processes. However, establishing proper communication requires external applications to authenticate using individual security keys. As a result, you gain the ability to monitor changes related to external applications.

Shopware 6 offers two HTTP-based REST APIs, each with its own specific purpose: the Store API and the Admin API.

Front-end interactions – Store API

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The Store API includes endpoints for all client users, including:

Search for products
Create shopping carts
Place and view orders
Make payments
Manage wish lists

It is protected by an access key that can be shared between end clients and a context key that can be shared with only one client.

Apps using Store API:

Shopware PWA – PWA framework for Shopware 6, using Vue.js and Nuxt.js, is based on the Vue Storefront project – Alokai (good solution e.g. for Shopware for eCommerce in the fashion industry)

<div class="rtb-text-box is-blue-300">Documentation: Shopware Store API </div>

Backend Interactions – Admin API

Admin API should be used to create integrations with external systems. It can be used to:

Synchronization
Automation
Integration

Access is secured via backend credentials that are not intended to be shared with end clients.

Applications using Admin API:

Shopware Admin Panel

<div class="rtb-text-box is-blue-300">Documentation: Shopware Store API </div>

How to integrate Shopware with external platforms (external software)

This integration-ready platform allows you to seamlessly connect applications via API access.

Shopware 6 provides an API that allows you to integrate external applications into your shop. To access the API, log in to your Shopware account, go to Settings > System > Integrations and click 'Create integration'. The next steps include:

Next steps include:

Naming the integration
Setting permissions (whether the integration should have admin permissions)
Setting the role (if created)
Getting the ID access key and secret access key

Please keep the security key in a safe place.

To manage the integration, you can click on the integration name, and then you can edit it. The integration can also be deleted. Remember that after changing the integration details, you should regenerate both the security key and Access ID by clicking on "Regenerate API access key".

Differences between apps and plugins

Apps and plug-ins in the Shopware ecosystem are collectively called extensions, but they are different from each other.

Applications

The apps allow you to register an external URL endpoint in the Shopware system to exchange API credentials and register webhooks that Shopware triggers when an event occurs in the Shopware system.

The apps allow you to build an independent system in Shopware that interacts with the entire eCommerce ecosystem. It is worth noting, however, that the apps will not allow the execution of PHP code relevant to the Shopware system. For this purpose, it may be necessary to use Shopware plugins.

How to create apps?

To create a Shopware integration such as an app, please read the official information in Shopware documentation.

Plugins

The main way to programmatically extend a Shopware 6 instance is to create a plugin.
Plugins in Shopware are essentially extensions of Symfony packages. These plugins and packages can provide their own resources, such as controllers, resources, services, or tests.
A plugin is the main way to programmatically extend a Shopware 6 instance.
You can integrate plugins into Shopware and perform almost any action with them.

How to create a plugin?

To create Shopware integrations such as plugins, please read the official Shopware documentation.

<div class="rtb-text-box is-blue-400">Read more about Shopware apps and plugins>></div>

Shopware integrations with different systems: Software types

Shopware is an eCommerce platform that offers many integration options with many systems. You can connect the platform with tools such as:

Payment Processing Systems (e.g. Adyen, PayPal)
Shipping Service Providers (e.g. DHL, UPS, DPD)
Loyalty Program Management and Creation PluginsMarketing Automation Tools
CRM SystemsPIM SystemsERP Systems
Email Marketing Tools (e.g. MailChimp)
Progressive Web Apps (Shopware PWA)
Inventory Management Systems...and more

<div class="rtb-text-box is-blue-100">Official integrations are available in the Shopware store/websites https://www.shopware.com/en/integrations/ i https://store.shopware.com/en/.</div>

With its API-first approach, Shopware 6 provides greater flexibility and technology that meets the needs of a constantly changing market. At the same time, Shopware 6 significantly improves the work of managing different sales channels and supporting multiple devices. The flexible core of the platform adapts perfectly to the requirements, needs and expectations of customers.

By using APIs, various components such as front-end, administration panel and integration with external systems (ERP, PIM, content management, etc.) can be connected and form the basis of completely new business models. As a result, both small companies and large enterprises have the same possibilities to react quickly and flexibly to market changes, creating unique shopping experiences across channels.

External Integrations - Documentation Examples

Shopware PWA

Shopware PWA was developed using Vue Storefront (Alokai) and is therefore a proven and efficient technology. This tool allows you to build an innovative and flexible frontend (landing pages, product pages, etc.) and implement a creative design without focusing on the backend. Shopware PWA will provide your customers with a positive experience and you will have a simplified store operation.

Shopware PWA reduces loading times with EDGE caching
A powerful UI library allows for unlimited creativity
Based on proven Vue Storefront (Alokai) technology
Fast integration for a great mobile experience

PIM Systems

Product Information Management (PIM) is the process of managing product data throughout the product lifecycle. PIM ensures that product information is consistent, accurate, and up-to-date across all sales channels and platforms. It facilitates centralized data collection and management, allowing companies to bring new products and services to market faster and more efficiently. Additionally, PIM improves customer experiences by providing them with more complete and accurate product descriptions.

Ergonode

Ergonode is a product information management software. It helps your content team create, edit, manage, and distribute product content across all your online sales channels. With Ergonode, you can take your eCommerce to the next level. This PIM system allows you to translate your content into any language, meaning you can reach people all over the world.

Ergonode PIM Integration is an integration that is available to Shopware users for free. With this plugin, the platform gains extensive functionalities in the field of product information management. API technology enables smooth, automated data exchange between systems. There is also a built-in function for automatic translation into various languages and generation of content and product templates thanks to artificial intelligence.

Main features of Ergonode PIM Integration:

Mapping of Ergonode attributes with Shopware properties and custom fields
Manual synchronization of product data
Scheduled synchronization of product data
Assignment of product segments to selected sales channels
Insight into the change history (e.g. to identify potential errors)

Benefits

Possibility to use the functionalities offered by Ergonode and Shopware 6
No discrepancies between product data in Ergonode and Shopware 6

ERP Systems

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a type of software that helps companies better manage their operations and resources. ERP systems provide a single, integrated system for managing various aspects of a company, including finance, inventory, supply chain, customer relationship management (CRM), and HR. ERP systems enable greater visibility and control over the entire business process, from production to distribution, enabling companies to make better decisions and drive growth.

Pickware

Pickware is an ERP solution for Shopware users, providing seamless integration with the Shopware backend. This means you don't need separate systems with separate data storage, your own user interface and error-prone synchronization processes. All data is stored in one place.

In Shopware 6, all central ERP functions regarding warehouses, stock planning, purchasing, etc. are available directly in the administration panel.

Main features of Pickware

Management of multiple warehouses
Automatic reduction of stock when sending an order
Automatic entry of stock in case of return of an order
Notification of all products that have reached the reorder point.
Overview of stock status of all products with filtering and exporting
Supplier management
Overview of actions

CRM Systems

CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. It is the management of a company's interactions with current and potential customers. The goal of CRM is to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty by better understanding their needs and providing personalized service and support. CRM systems use data analysis to help companies better understand their customers and their preferences, as well as detect patterns in customer behavior.

SALESmanago

SALESmanago is a marketing automation system that streamlines the work of salespeople. It has a wide range of tools that are used to analyze traffic and marketing activities based on the actions performed by current and potential customers.

SALESmanago maximizes revenue growth by combining advanced analytics and AI-powered hyper-personalization to deliver fully configurable, personalized experiences across a wide range of natively developed and integrated marketing execution channels.

Main features of SALESmanago

Customer Data Platform
Data Exchange
Machine Learning & AI Recommendations
Website Automation
Lead Generation
Hyper-Segmentation Hub
Deep Behavioral Profiling

Edrone CRM

Edrone is a powerful marketing automation platform that helps businesses streamline their marketing processes. It can automate time-consuming tasks like sending emails, text messages, and social media advertising, and you can gain unprecedented insight into your customers’ activity on your website and track your sales. Additionally, this platform uses Voice Commerce, which makes it easier for customers to find the products they are looking for using voice search.

Main features of Edrone CRM

Identification and analysis of store visitor behavior
Marketing automation
Ready-made sales promotion templates
Easy to integrate
Availability of marketing strategies supporting sales

Summary

Modern software solutions and technology provided by Shopware allow for the construction of efficient and fast eCommerce platforms that can be connected to an almost unlimited number of third-party software types. You can integrate Shopware with intelligent software that streamlines and optimizes business operations in real time.

<div class="rtb-text-box is-blue-100">If you are looking for a development partner to create new integration(s) or even an entire project, let us know - our trained team is able to digitize your vision according to the best Shopware standards at lower risk and costs. Contact us for more information.</div>