Shopware 6 Plentymarkets Connector

Flexible front end or high-performance merchandise management? When faced with the decision of which platform to use to realise a new online shop, you often have to weigh up the pros and cons of different systems. The quality priorities of the providers are sometimes very different and it is rarely possible to make a selection that fulfils your wishes and requirements 100%. A shop system that combines the best features of several platforms in order to create a high-quality shopping experience without compromises sounds like a pipe dream. However, ONEDOT now makes it possible to fulfil this dream - with a connector that links the two shop systems Shopware 6 and Plentymarkets.

The basic principle of this connection between the two systems is very simple: The connector software ensures constant data synchronisation between the two systems via an interface. Communication takes place via the Shopware 6 API and the Plentymarkets REST API. The result is a shop in which the merchandise management is operated with Plentymarkets and the frontend with Shopware 6.

The connector automatically synchronises all relevant information between the systems to ensure smooth shop operation.

The obvious question now arises for some: Why create a cross-platform solution using the connector when there are dedicated solutions from both providers (Plentymarkets shop front end ‘Ceres’ and Shopware merchandise management ‘Pickware’)? Here is the explanation:

While the merchandise management and distinctive multichannel connection are considered Plentymarkets' great strengths, many shop operators want more design freedom and easier usability in the frontend. This can be found in Shopware, whose new Shopware 6 system continues to gain momentum with every update following its release in 2019. Modern, tidy and easy to use, it is currently one of the ideal platforms for high-quality, future-proof shopping experiences.

Conversely, there are also retailers who prefer to use the popular Plentymarkets merchandise management system for their Shopware shop instead of the in-house ‘Pickware’. In the past, Plenty has proven itself to be reliable and technically mature (especially when it comes to opening up and handling additional sales channels, keyword ‘multichannel’). With these advantages, it is therefore possible to expand beyond the horizon of the Shopware shop, for example, while the feared additional expenditure is kept within limits.

A reliable and proven multichannel backend meets a lean and future-proof frontend that promises endless functional and design freedom. Are the Plentymarkets WaWi and Shopware 6 a ‘match made in heaven’? When looking at the individual strengths of both systems, it becomes clear where they complement each other and how synergies can arise.

One point in which Plentymarkets is ahead of many other systems is its excellent marketplace connections. There are standardised interfaces to numerous retail channels and platforms - including standards such as Ebay, Amazon and Zalando of course - via which sales channels can be easily set up and operated. Shop systems and marketplaces are brought together here virtually without intermediaries.

As an all-in-one solution from merchandise management to the front end, Plenty offers many other advantages, such as free shop operation including hosting. The barriers to entry are low and there is little to complain about in terms of the price/performance ratio. For beginners as well as large players with high visitor numbers, Plentyversum often covers all needs.

With its e-commerce platform, Shopware has always pursued the goal of offering online shoppers a special experience. The aim is not only to create more design and functional options, but also to always be one step ahead of other providers in terms of technology. Shopware wants to clearly set itself apart in terms of quality and version 6 is the next step on this path: the technology and design are lean and clear, which opens up many possibilities for developers and operators. Behind the scenes, Shopware 6 is intuitive to use and customise, and with its new worlds of experience, the integration of emotional content in the shop also works better than ever before.

Another testimony to the quality of Shopware is the active and enthusiastic community of users and developers. This contributes massively to the evolution and has long since allowed Shopware to flourish into its own ecosystem of continuous further development, for example with the huge plugin marketplace. All conceivable functions and extensions are offered there to enhance your own shop without operators having to rely on expensive customised development. The lean and easily accessible technology behind Shopware 6 makes this possible.

Shopware 6 and Plentymarkets have focal points and strengths that can complement each other perfectly. The connector can combine the two and get the most out of the combination - at least in theory. In practice, however, there are some aspects that should be kept in mind when deciding in favour of or against a connector solution.

Using two shop systems and a connector as middleware increases the number of active systems to three. As a result, it is not always immediately apparent where a problem, e.g. the incorrect display of a delivery time or quantity, is caused. This can prolong the troubleshooting process. It is also never possible to completely eliminate a certain susceptibility to errors when using systems outside of provider standards.

Connecting two different e-commerce platforms does not come without costs. Before the dream of a Shopware-Plenty hybrid shop comes true, acquisition costs are incurred for both the connector and a Shopware licence. Apart from the running costs for transactions and hosting, the familiarisation and training of all those involved is also a factor that should not be neglected.

While the connector is perfectly designed to synchronise all data from standard shops, there are numerous online shops that have additional features and functions. Features such as multilingualism, individualised product descriptions or the display of different prices depending on the customer group improve and individualise the user experience, but can mean additional development or coordination effort for use with Connector.

Anyone who has already been involved in the development and maintenance of large online shops knows that e-commerce of a certain size cannot be realised without effort and investment costs. The Connector, which links Shopware 6 and Plentymarkets, is - this much can be said in advance - an excellent piece of software with clear advantages. The decision ‘to connect or not’ ultimately depends on the prerequisites and requirements that a shop operator has.

From my point of view, successful operation with Connector requires a great willingness on the part of the operator to familiarise themselves with the technology and how the software works. A Shopware-Plentymarkets hybrid is always technically more demanding than a standardised solution - basic handling skills are a prerequisite for benefiting from the additional possibilities. If you want a clearer overview, you should limit yourself to one of the two shop systems.

Brands and shop operators must also have their requirements for the new shop clearly in mind. Which platform can provide the desired functions and features? Which marketplace connections are planned? Familiarisation with the operation and previous experience with systems are other important factors. If there are still a lot of question marks here, you should definitely seek external advice and consult experienced supporters on the technical side.

To cut a long story short: the Connector combines the strengths and advantages of two systems in an ideal way. If both the prerequisites and the framework conditions are right - if the technical expertise and necessary support are available - there are many arguments in favour of setting up a new shop that is operated with both Shopware 6 and Plentymarkets. In any case, there is currently no standard solution with which a comparable e-commerce experience can be realised.