California Apparel News

Integration is what binds information between disparate software systems in a business. Software integration technology has seen a number of advancements since the days of saving files such as CSV, Excel and other flat files and doing manual import/export to get information from one system to another. Recent advancements allow synchronization and processing of information between different systems. Of course, I am referring to an “Application Programming Interface,” better known as an API.

APIs are protocols that have functions or routines to allow other software/systems to connect, send and receive information. Still scratching your head? Well, think of Flickr and Instagram. Once a photo is added, it can be shared with Facebook. Or, with Twitter, the same tweet can automatically post to Facebook. In order for images, comments, data, etc., to transfer from application to application, it uses an API to communicate the data. From the user end, it is a seamless transition from one application to the other.

There are various types of integration that exist in today’s technological world. When looking to integrate systems, applications or tools with your existing infrastructure, the type of integration used is important. Here are a few to help you differentiate:

Flat File/CSV/Excel File—Older, archaic systems will use flat file and CSV files for integration. These integrations are not 100 percent automated. This basic integration allows the user to create a file and save it. The end user either imports or re-enters the saved information into another system.

FTP Integration—Allows send/receive information via an FTP (file transfer protocol) server. To do this, the parties will need to save a file and drop it in a transfer folder. Sometimes, a script may try to automate the process. It is usually done on a scheduled basis. Therefore, it creates delays before data files are available.

True Automated API Integration—This is true automation. There are no files that are emailed or placed in a folder for someone to retrieve and then either re-enter or process from another application. This type of integration allows for data to be transferred back and forth automatically at any time between the two systems with no human interaction. Information automatically pushes between the systems as it happens.

Apparel ERP (enterprise resource planning) software companies, marketplaces, e-commerce websites, factors and other industry-related resources are all becoming more sophisticated. They are aware of the apparel industry’s demands for quick turnaround. This is why they are starting to adopt API integrations with other complementary industry systems. Apparel technology companies are starting to recognize the benefits of partnering with other companies that are experts in specific niches to create a better customer software experience.

With an API, marketplaces such as JOOR, NuOrder and Brandboom have been able to connect with ERP systems (including AIMS 360) to create a seamless order-taking experience from the trade show to the order processing and manufacturing in the back office. By connecting systems, apparel businesses can easily manage all of their data transactions by using the order-taking applications in the front end and ERP software in the back office. The API integration decreases order entry and processing time, eliminates manual input and manual file integrations, and significantly reduces errors.

ERP systems can also use APIs to connect with e-commerce shopping-cart platforms such as Shopify, Magento and 3-D Commerce to automate the whole process. No more incorrect inventory information to customers or manual order entry into the ERP system.

The apparel industry’s leading factors are also upping their technology and creating APIs to help speed up the approval processes on invoices. Companies can select a factor and exchange information. On the other end, the factor gets the invoice information quickly and can return a decision within minutes.

There are many ways that APIs have helped organizations streamline and build their ROI. When researching a marketplace, ERP software, an e-commerce site, factor or any other apparel-related technology, there are a few key questions to ask:

Do they have an API that can connect to your other business tools?

Is their API a true automated integration or is it just a file integration? (Some companies claim that they have an API, but they are not automated and require export and import files back and forth manually.)

Chris Walia is the director of business development and marketing at AIMS360. He can be reached at (310) 361-5710, Ext. 736, and chriswalia@aims360.com.