ERP Integration

Shopware ERP integration: 300K+ pharma SKUs, zero fulfilment errors

Bidirectional Shopware 6 to ERP sync for a German pharma distributor. 300K+ SKUs with batch tracking, expiry alerts, and audit trails. Zero fulfilment errors.

Industry:: Pharmaceutical Distribution
Project Type:: ERP Integration
Duration:: 6 months
Location:: Germany
Published:: April 25, 2024

Outcome

300K+

SKUs synced

99.9%

Accuracy

<2s

Sync per record

Fulfilment errors

The Challenge

A German pharma distributor was managing 300,000+ SKUs with batch numbers, expiry dates, and a regulator looking over their shoulder. A single mismatch between the ERP and the storefront could mean a recall or someone receiving the wrong batch.

Critical Pain Points

Every SKU needed individual batch and lot tracking, not just stock counts
Expiry dates had to surface in time for markdown decisions and regulator filings
ERP and Shopware needed to stay in sync both directions, in close to real time
Order processing had to keep moving even when the catalogue was 10x larger than usual
Every action had to leave an audit trail that would survive a pharma compliance review

There was no margin for "we'll fix it next sprint". A misfulfilled prescription costs more than the platform.

The Solution

I built a bidirectional sync layer that treats pharmaceutical compliance as a first-class concern, not an afterthought.

Two-way ERP sync

ERP changes flow into Shopware. Shopware orders flow back into the ERP. Both systems agree on stock and price within seconds.

Batch and expiry tracking

Each unit carries its batch number, lot, and expiry date. The system validates these on every order so nothing wrong leaves the warehouse.

Predictive expiry alerts

Products approaching expiry surface in a dashboard before they become waste. The team sees them in time to mark down or reroute.

Audit trail by default

Every inventory movement, price change, and stock adjustment is logged. Compliance reviews run on data, not on memory.

Results & Business Impact

Zero fulfilment errors

The right batch went to the right customer, every time. Recall risk dropped to operational noise.

Compliance without manual work

Batch tracking and audit logs satisfy regulator requirements without anyone exporting spreadsheets the night before an audit.

Sub-2-second per-record sync

A 300K SKU catalogue stays current to the second, not the minute.

Less expired stock

Predictive alerts let the team mark down or rotate stock before it hit the bin.

Technologies Used

Shopware 6
PHP 8
Symfony
MySQL
ERP API
Job Queues
Batch Tracking
Expiry Management

ERP and Shopware out of sync?

Wherever stock accuracy is non-negotiable, I've built integrations that hold up under audit. Let's talk through yours.