People who are considering an alternative to their connector usually don’t have a bad connector to begin with. He has an online store that has grown. A connector links two systems effectively and affordably; as soon as a third system, a second sales channel, or a fulfillment partner is added, separate connections are created that aren’t compatible with one another. The alternative isn’t another connector, but an integration platform that manages all systems as a cohesive whole. Below: what a connector does well, six signs that you’ve outgrown it, and how to make the switch without downtime.
What a connector does well
Let’s be honest about off-the-shelf connectors: they’re excellent for the task they’re designed for. Connecting a single online store to Exact Online, syncing orders and inventory, and importing invoices into the accounting system—all set up in an afternoon, for a fixed, low monthly fee, without a consultant. If you only need that one integration and nothing else, switching would be a waste of money. This article is for situations where that’s no longer the case.
Six Signs That You’re Outgrowing Your Connector Role
1. You have three or more
Online store to Exact, marketplace to Exact, online store to fulfilment: each has its own connector, with its own settings and its own issues. If an item changes, you have to update it three times.
2. Inventory figures no longer add up anywhere
Each connector maintains its own inventory view. With three connections, there are three versions of the truth, and this results in overselling on the marketplace.
3. A new fulfillment partner will be added
Orders need to be sent to the warehouse, and shipping status and returns need to be sent back to the online store, the marketplace, and Exact. A connector handles two systems; there are four of them.
4. There are exceptions
Gift wrapping is available only for online store orders; partial shipments are allowed on the online store but not on the marketplace; one dropshipping supplier per category. Connectors are standard; exceptions are either custom or not possible.
5. You discover problems through customers
A connector rarely reports that an order didn’t go through. You find out when a customer asks where their package is.
6. You want to be able to switch
From fulfillment partners, to e-commerce platforms, to marketplaces. With standalone connectors, you build from scratch every time.
If you recognize two or more of these signs, the question isn’t “which connector,” but “connector or platform.”
Connector or Integration Platform: A Comparison
| Loose connector | Integration platform (iPaaS) | Marketplace Integrator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connects | Two systems per connection | All systems on a single platform | Marketplaces with Your Online Store or ERP |
| Inventory | Per connection | One central system for everything | Synchronized by marketplace |
| Fulfillment & Returns | Limited | Full power both ways | Limited to the channels |
| Exceptions | Default | Customized for each client | Limited |
| Error Handling | Log | Queue, Retry, Notifications | Dashboard |
| Management | You, per link | Platform | Integrator |
| Price | Low, per coupling | Monthly fee per connection or system | Often based on order volume or a revenue-based scale |
| Goes well with | 1 or 2 systems | 3 or more systems, fulfilment, ERP | Many marketplaces, little logistics |
Switch providers hassle-free
Switching from a connector to a platform isn’t a “big bang.” Here’s the process that works for our customers:
- Take stock of the current data flows (orders, inventory, invoices, statuses) and the exceptions in the connector settings. This is when you’ll discover what wasn’t working behind the scenes.
- Determine the primary system for items and inventory—usually Exact Online Trade or the warehouse.
- Set up the platform alongside the connector, using the same data flows. Historical orders remain in Exact Online; they do not need to be included.
- Run a brief parallel test using test orders and compare the results for each stream.
- Convert one circuit or one channel at a time; don’t do everything in one day. Don’t disconnect the connector until the last circuit has been converted.
Migrating from one online store and one marketplace to a platform can therefore take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the number of systems and exceptions.
How does KoneX do it?
KoneX is an integration platform for e-commerce and logistics: online store, marketplaces, Exact Online, and fulfillment partner—all integrated into a single cohesive system, set up in collaboration with KoneX. These are precisely the four scenarios where standalone connectors fall short—multiple channels, a single master inventory, fulfilment with returns and exceptions per channel—and these are the scenarios for which we built the platform. The entry-level “Now” plan starts at €24.95 per month for two standard integrations; beyond that, you pay per data integration, so the costs scale with the number of integrations. And let’s be honest: if you have just one online store and one Exact Online instance without a warehouse or marketplace, just stick with your existing connector. Give us a call when a third system comes into view, and we’ll work with you to see if it’s time to upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Connectors and Integration Platforms
Schedule a no-obligation consultation here to discuss which path for transitioning from a connector to a platform is right for your situation.
