# How does syncing work?

DotApparel keeps your Shopify store in perfect sync with your ERP through a series of automated tasks. These syncs run like clockwork. Some in near real-time, others at scheduled intervals to ensure your store always reflects the latest data.

## What Gets Synced?

Several key types of data are synced between your ERP and Shopify throughout the day:

* **Products**
* **Inventory**
* **Fulfilments**
* **Images**
* **Swatches**
* **Markets pricing**
* **Customers**
* **Reference data**

## Sync Schedule: The Breakdown

Here’s a snapshot of how often each sync runs:

| Data Type                         | Frequency               |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Products                          | Once daily              |
| Images & Swatches                 | Once daily              |
| Markets Pricing                   | Once daily              |
| Fulfilments                       | Every hour              |
| Orders & Customers (from Shopify) | Instantly posted to ERP |
| Orders & Customers (from ERP)     | Every 15 minutes        |
| Inventory (delta)                 | Every 5 minutes         |
| Inventory (full)                  | Once daily              |

**Default sync time:**\
Daily bulk syncs (Products, Images, Swatches, Markets Pricing, Full Inventory) run at **1am (GMT+10)**.

## Inventory Syncing

Inventory syncing is optimised for both speed and reliability:

* **Every 5 minutes:**\
  DotApparel runs a **delta inventory sync**, pulling only SKUs that have changed in the last 5 minutes. These updates are processed through your store-level and buffer settings to calculate the final stock values for Shopify.
* **Once daily:**\
  A **full inventory sync** ensures that all SKUs from your ERP—regardless of whether they’ve changed—are accounted for in Shopify.

#### Can I Change the Sync Schedule?

Yes, some sync intervals can be customised based on your store's needs. Just keep in mind:\
**More frequent syncing = more load on your systems**, so it’s best to strike the right balance between speed and stability.


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