Are you struggling to manage your e-commerce operations efficiently? You’re not alone. Many businesses face challenges with order management, but there’s a solution that’s transforming the industry: API-based OMS solutions.
Integrating an API-first Order Management System for Commercetools can revolutionize your business operations and boost efficiency. But before getting into deep, let’s first explore what it means to adopt an API-first approach or development for a system.
Numbers That Speak
API-first strategies are significantly driving business growth and innovation. Here are some key statistics highlighting the impact of API-first approaches:
- 67% of organizations already use or plan to adopt an API-first approach (Apigee, 2023).
- API-first companies raised $14 billion in funding in 2022 (Eleken).
- Forecasts predict 1.7 billion active APIs by 2030 (F5).
What Makes an API-Based OMS Unique?
The eCommerce industry offeres numerous OMS solutions from major players embracing the API-first strategy, such as BigCommerce, Magento, Shopify Plus, Kibo, and Commercetools. But the question is, why too much hype?
API-based OMS is a game-changing tool that drastically reduces the time, cost, and complexity of implementing robust order management capabilities while providing seamless integration and flexibility for modern order management platforms. Instead of isolated systems that lack internal communication, you get a seamless flow of information between your Commercetools storefront and all your backend systems.
Here’s what makes it unique.
The Power of API Integration with Commercetools
Let me break down the three core elements that make this integration powerful:
1. API-First Architecture
- Want real-time updates? You’ve got them with native GraphQL and REST API support.
- Need instant notifications? Event-driven communication has you covered.
- Looking for flexibility? Comprehensive webhook support provides it.
- Require customization? Flexible integration options make it possible.
2. Real-Time Data Synchronization
Have you ever worried about overselling? With real-time synchronization, you get:
- Instant inventory updates across all channels
- Live order status tracking
- Unified customer data management
- Seamless product catalog integration
3. Smart Order Processing
What if you could automate your entire order workflow? With OMS leveraging APIs, you can:
- Route orders intelligently based on custom rules
- Manage multiple channels from one place
- Process returns automatically
- Integrate customer service seamlessly
Explore Popular OMS Solutions:
How does Commercetools Handles Order Fulfillment through its API-first OMS Approach?
Let’s understand these features with a technical example.
Shipping Sub-Quantities to Multiple Addresses
Imagine a scenario where an e-commerce retailer needs to distribute a bulk order of 100 branded paper bags to three distinct point-of-sale locations. Instead of managing this through multiple orders or manual adjustments, Commercetools allows businesses to assign specific sub-quantities of a Line Item to individual addresses directly within the Cart.
For example:
| Shipping Address | Sub-Quantity |
| Address 1 | 10 |
| Address 2 | 40 |
| Address 3 | 50 |
The API seamlessly manages this distribution by adding targets to the shippingDetails section of a Line Item.
{
“id”: “e38a6110-fc74-4095-bde5-9898375e6904”,
“productId”: “ed7f5333-6f5d-4d07-a44f-2a24885bae0c”,
“name”: {
“en”: “Branded paper bag”
},
“variant”: {
“id”: 1,
“sku”: “sku_4002”
},
“price”: {
“value”: {
“currencyCode”: “USD”,
“centAmount”: 4200
},
“id”: “278af989-688a-4b60-a26f-bee2a2e40920”
},
“quantity”: 100,
“priceMode”: “Platform”,
“totalPrice”: {
“currencyCode”: “USD”,
“centAmount”: 630000
},
“lineItemMode”: “Standard”,
“shippingDetails”: {
“targets”: [
{
“addressKey”: “address_1”,
“quantity”: 10
},
{
“addressKey”: “address_2”,
“quantity”: 40
},
{
“addressKey”: “address_3”,
“quantity”: 50
}
],
“valid”: true
}
}
Code source: https://docs.commercetools.com/api/shipping-delivery-overview
Ready to revolutionize your order managenent?
Explore how our OMS Integration Services
can streamline your Ecommerce operations.
Benefits of API-based OMS solutions to integrate with Commercetools
1. Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Did you know that businesses using API-first OMS platforms, powered by AI and ML, report significant improvements in operational efficiency? Here’s why:
- Development teams work more productively through parallel workflow integration
- Integration time decreases by leveraging built-in API capabilities and reusable components
- Automated workflow reduces manual tasks through end-to-end order orchestration
- Error rates drop significantly with consistent API validation and standardization
2. Scalability That Grows with You
Your business isn’t static, and neither should your OMS be. Modern Headless Commerce OMS solutions offer:
- Effortless Order Management with Cloud-Native Commercetools API Architecture
- Multi-market support without added complexity
- Flexible fulfillment options that adapt to your needs
- Performance that maintains speed even during peak seasons
3. Customer Experience That Delights
What’s the secret to keeping customers coming back? The Order Management API provides:
- Real-time tracking that customers love
- Accurate inventory information they can trust
- Faster processing that exceeds expectations
- Better delivery estimates that build confidence
Read Also: Commercetools OMS Implementation Best Practices
Conclusion: Ready to Transform Your Order Management?
Implementing an API-based OMS for Commercetools isn’t just about keeping up with technology – it’s about future-proofing your business. With the right solution, you can create a scalable, efficient, and customer-centric order management process that grows with your business.
FAQs
A traditional OMS is a standalone system with limited integration capabilities, while an API-based Order Management System (OMS) provides real-time integration and automated workflows through standardized APIs. Let’s have a look at the comparison table for a detailed overview:
Modern API-based OMS systems are much faster. A simple version can be up and running in just 6 weeks! Even a complex system can be ready in less than 9 months.
Yes! Modern Order Management System (OMS) API solutions excel at managing complex multi-channel scenarios, coordinating inventory and fulfillment across various locations seamlessly.
Absolutely. These systems implement multiple security layers:
- OAuth 2.0 authentication
- End-to-end encryption
- Role-based access control
- Regular security audits
Modern OMS with API Integration are built for scale:
- Auto-scaling infrastructure
- Advanced load balancing
- Strategic caching
- Asynchronous processing
Fluent Commerce, Manhattan Active, and Tecsys’ Omni OMS easily connect with commercetools, which makes your omnichannel strategy smoother and more efficient.
Here are some of the best API design software tools: Postman, SoapUI, SwaggerHub, Stoplight, curl, etc.
