There is no single “best” integration for Exact Online—there is a best integration for your specific situation. If you only want to import invoices from your online store into Exact Online Accounting, a simple accounting integration is sufficient. If you want to synchronize orders, inventory, and fulfilment across multiple channels with Exact Online Commerce, you’ll need an integration platform. Below, we’ll walk you through the seven types of integrations available on the market, from simple to comprehensive, including who they’re intended for and what you should keep in mind.
First: What exactly do you want to connect?
“Integrating Exact Online” means something different for an online store with ten orders a day than it does for a brand that sells through Shopify, Bol, and Amazon and uses third-party fulfillment. Four scenarios determine which option is right:
- Accounting only. Sales are entered into Exact Online Accounting as invoices or journal entries. Inventory is not a factor.
- Inventory and orders. Exact Online Handel manages inventory and items; orders are placed through the online store, and inventory is updated accordingly.
- Add marketplaces. Bol, Amazon, or other channels place orders that also need to be recorded in Exact Online and drawn from the same inventory.
- Fulfilment included. An external warehouse handles picking and shipping; shipping status and Track & Trace information must be sent back to Exact Online and the sales channels.
The further down this list you go, the less a standalone connector will suffice and the more a platform is needed.
The Seven Types of Couplings
Providers refer to themselves as connectors, integration platforms, or integration partners. Behind all these names, there are actually seven types of solutions. If you recognize your situation in one of the descriptions, you’ll know which type to look for.
1. Accounting Integration
Automatically convert orders from your online store into invoices or journal entries in Exact Online Accounting; this can often be set up in just a few minutes. Who it’s for: any online store that wants to automate its bookkeeping only. Please note: inventory, marketplaces, and fulfilment are not included in this setup.
2. Ready-to-use connector for each coupling
A single, fixed integration between two systems—for example, Shopify and Exact Online—that you install yourself, sometimes directly from the Exact Online App Store. For whom: one online store, one Exact Online instance, no consultant needed. Please note: each integration stands on its own; if you have multiple integrations, you’re responsible for ensuring they work together.
3. Integration platform specializing in Exact
A provider that handles everything related to Exact Online (and Exact Globe): e-commerce integrations, as well as accounting functions such as reconciliation. For whom: organizations where Exact is central and accounting plays a major role. Please note: fulfilment and returns across multiple channels are not the focus.
4. An integration platform that you set up yourself
A dashboard that lets you connect online stores and marketplaces to ERP systems such as Exact Online, using your own business rules and data mapping. Who it’s for: teams that like to be in control and want to get started quickly. Please note: you set it up and manage it yourself. Someone on your team must be willing and able to do so.
5. Full-service partner
The provider sets up and manages the integrations; you handle the sales. For whom: business owners without IT knowledge who want to outsource everything. Please note: You’ll have less control and will depend on the partner for every change.
6. Enterprise iPaaS
A cloud platform for mission-critical integrations between ERP, e-commerce, PIM, and core systems, with an emphasis on governance and control at scale. For whom: medium-sized and large organizations with their own IT team. Note: built for that scale; an online store without an IT department should look for something lighter.
7. iPaaS for E-commerce and Logistics
An integration platform that connects your online store, marketplaces, Exact Online, and fulfillment partner into a single, cohesive system—and works with you to set it up. This is the category KoneX falls into: Exact Online as the leading system handling inventory, orders, shipping status, and returns across all channels, with PostNL Fulfilment and Paxon as standard partners. For whom: online stores with three or more systems or a fulfilment partner. Please note: if you only want invoices in your accounting system, Type 1 is more affordable. The Now starter plan starts at €24.95 per month for two standard integrations.
Comparison at a glance
| Type | For whom | Strong in | Please note | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Accounting Integration | Automate only administrative tasks | Automatically Enter Orders into Accounting | No inventory, marketplaces, fulfilment | Subscription |
| 2. One connector per coupling | One online store, one Exact | Install it yourself, including via the Exact App Store | Each link on its own | Subscription per link |
| 3. Exact-Specialized Matchmaking Platform | Exact as the focal point, the complex accounting side | Everything related to Exact, including reconciliation | Fulfilment/returns are not the core business | Subscription |
| 4. A platform you can customize yourself | Teams that want to build their own | Quick setup, custom business rules | Set Up and Manage It Yourself | Subscription |
| 5. Full-service matchmaking partner | No in-house IT expertise | Fully outsourced | Depending on the partner | Subscription |
| 6. Enterprise iPaaS | Large organizations with an IT team | Complex Landscapes, Governance | Enterprise-scale and pricing | Platform License |
| 7. iPaaS for E-commerce and Logistics (KoneX) | 3+ systems, fulfillment partner | Exact + channels + fulfilment all in one | Accounting only: Type 1 is cheaper | Starting at €24.95/month |
Dear Exact Online Integration Partner: Connector, Platform, or Accountant?
Anyone searching for an “Exact Online integration partner” will often come across accounting firms and accounting software packages. That’s a different field. An accountant sets up Exact Online and handles your bookkeeping; an integration partner ensures that your online store, marketplaces, and warehouse communicate with Exact Online. For the second question, the seven types listed above are the options to consider. Choose an accounting integration or connector if Exact Online is the only system that needs to be integrated; choose a platform if Exact Online is one of three or more systems.
How does KoneX do it?
KoneX integrates Exact Online (Accounting or Retail) with online stores such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and Lightspeed; with marketplaces such as Bol and Amazon; and with fulfilment partners such as PostNL Fulfilment and Paxon. Exact Online remains the primary system for products and inventory. Orders from all channels are received in Exact, forwarded to the warehouse, and shipping status and returns are updated in Exact and in the channel from which the order originated. We handle the setup together with you, so you don’t need your own developer. If you only want invoices in your accounting system, feel free to choose an accounting integration. We’re honest about this with everyone who calls us. If you want to manage inventory, channels, and fulfilment as a single, manageable system centered around Exact Online, that’s exactly what KoneX was built for. See “Connecting Exact Online with fulfilment ” for details.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exact Online Integrations
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