For the last decade, we've specialised in crafting omni-channel solutions that create efficiency, increase conversions, and improve customer experience.

Over time we had developed and launched over 30+ custom ERP integrations. We found that each integration took time and we were repeating the same thing over again. So for us, creating DotApparel was the next step.

Why Our Clients Love DotApparel

Extensive features: Products and images, customers, orders & fulfillments, stores & inventory, gift cards, loyalty & rewards

Zero-code configuration: Attribute mapping tool to shape ERP references and custom data into tags and metafields

Real-time integration: Live-triggered events to keep orders and customers accurate across all channels

Highly-reliable solution: Serverless architecture based on the Google Cloud platform

Omni-channel retail: Click and collect, ship from store, retail gift cards, and online returns

Blazing-fast inventory API: 100ms average response time on click & collect inventory checks

International scalability: Multi-region and multi-currency to support global brands

Fantastic support team: Support through our dedicated product team

This guide contains everything you need to know about DotApparel. It includes steps for installation and information to get you confident in understanding how the app works end-to-end. Whether you're a manager or coordinator, this guide will help you get the most out of DotApparel.

If you're interested in a demo of the app or more training, schedule a meeting here.

DotApparel connects a Shopify store to a Retail API. Each Shopify store needs its own DotApparel app, which is called an "instance" and needs a separate project created within Google Cloud.

As explained in our Creating a Google Cloud account guide, DotApparel runs in a dedicated Firebase project. A single Google Cloud account can have many Firebase projects created. We will usually ask for a staging and production project so that we can test the DotApparel solutions before moving it to production.

Apparel21

Apparel21 is a leading ERP solution designed specifically for fashion, footwear, and accessories retailers. It streamlines business operations by integrating point of sale (POS), inventory management, customer data, and supply chain processes. The platform is widely used by brands to manage their entire retail lifecycle, from product development and stock control to sales reporting and customer engagement. With built-in industry-specific features, Apparel21 enables seamless management of omni-channel retail operations, supporting everything from store sales to online orders and logistics, making it a trusted choice for the fashion industry.

Harmony

Harmony is a versatile ERP platform offering comprehensive solutions for retailers and wholesalers seeking robust integration across their supply chain and retail operations. It manages a wide range of business functions, including inventory, order processing, financial management, and customer relationship management (CRM). Harmony is particularly known for its reliability in syncing product data, managing orders, and ensuring real-time inventory accuracy across various sales channels. Its adaptability allows retailers to maintain a cohesive omni-channel strategy while ensuring efficient back-end processes, making Harmony a strong contender in the retail ERP landscape.

DotApparel solutions are hosted on a Google Cloud product called Firebase. This platform is designed to be more stable, scalable, and powerful than traditional server hosting. It is built using a serverless approach, which means that it automatically scales up and down based on usage, eliminating the need for manual scaling.

Serverless, essentially means there is not a server running 24/7 which makes it more cost-effective. This approach is the same as what larger products like Netflix and Spotify use, making it a reliable and proven option for hosting middleware.

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:

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.

DotApparel connects your ERP instance to many different online platforms, we have partnered with most of the leading platforms to help drive your omni-channeling offering. Our solutions are a middleware that syncs different things from products, inventory, orders, customers, rewards, loyalty, gift cards, coupons and much more, along with a range of other features.

The solutions offer an easy-to-use interface to view and configure data without having to write custom code. Our standout feature is Mappings which allows you to map data from one format to another, and route them to their intended destinations (e.g. if you want to map a new Shopify tag, or metafield using ERP attributes).

Introduction

DotApparel stands as a leading SaaS application seamlessly integrating ERP systems with Shopify and other leading platforms, offering a robust, scalable solution for Apparel21 retailers. Our commitment to security and data integrity is paramount, utilising Google Firebase's comprehensive suite of tools, including Auth, Functions, Hosting, and Firestore. This overview outlines the security measures and protocols incorporated to ensure the utmost security for our users.

Secure Authentication

DotApparel utilises Firebase Auth to manage user sessions and authentication, supporting various methods, including email and password, third-party providers, and phone authentication.

Key features include:

• SSL/TLS Encryption: All authentication activities are conducted over secure connections.

• OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect: Standard practices for third-party authentication.

• Token Management: Securely generated and managed tokens for authenticated sessions.

Serverless Architecture

Leveraging Firebase Functions for serverless compute ensures secure, scalable, and efficient backend code execution. Key features include:

• Isolation: Each function operates in its own isolated environment to minimise unauthorised access.

• Automatic Scaling: Ensures performance under any load, enhancing reliability and security.

• Integrated Security: Functions seamlessly work with Firebase Auth and Firestore Security Rules.

Cloud Hosting

Firebase Hosting provides fast, secure, and reliable web hosting with a global CDN, automatic SSL certificate provisioning, and HTTP/2 support. Key features include:

• SSL by Default: Ensures all content served over the web is encrypted.

• Secure Deployment: Integrated with Cloud Build for secure and automated deployments.

Realtime Database

Firestore, a flexible and scalable database, includes security features for fine-grained access control. Key features include:

• Security Rules: Configure read/write access to collections and documents.

• Data Encryption: Encrypt data in transit and at rest for confidentiality.

• Audit Logs: Integration with Google Cloud's operations suite for monitoring and auditing.

Apparel21 Integration

DotApparel integrates securely with Apparel21 ERP through its Retail API, implementing the following measures:

• Static IP and Whitelisted Access: Configured static IP addresses and whitelisted access for authorised connections.

• VPN for Developer Access: Regulated developer access via VPN for additional security.

• Encryption and Authentication: Industry-standard protocols like TLS ensure data security during transmission, with robust authentication mechanisms in place.

Shopify Integration

DotApparel ensures a secure integration with Shopify through the Shopify Admin API, adhering to best practices:

• Access to Shopify Admin API: Secure storage of access tokens for explicit authorisation.

• Rate Limiting and Monitoring: Adherence to API rate limits and continuous monitoring for risk mitigation.

• Shopify App and Platform Security: Compliance with Shopify's requirements, including OAuth 2.0 for authentication and adherence to data handling and privacy standards.

DotApparel is exclusively installed on Google Cloud, a cost-effective and secure cloud computing platform. Here is a diagram that shows the connection between two brands running our DotApparel Core solution connecting ERP into Shopify, one of which has two regional stores. We can see that each of the DotApparel projects sits within a single Google Cloud account and it gets its data from the ERP database.