How It Works
The inventory sync is a one-way background process that pushes product data and inventory quantities from PIMS to Shopify.
- The sync process polls for changes approximately every 60 seconds.
- New products are created in Shopify and published to all sales channels automatically.
- Existing products are updated when their PIMS record has been modified.
Getting Started
Inventory items must be flagged as "OK To Show On SHOPIFY" in PIMS before they will sync.
Where to find the flag:
- Single item: PIMS inventory record → WEB → Additional Data for WEB → "OK To Show On SHOPIFY"
- Bulk editing: Inventory → Search Editor → select items → WEB → ADJUST OK for SHOPIFY flag
Location Matching
For inventory quantities to sync correctly, Shopify location names must match PIMS location names.
Where to find locations:
- Shopify: Shopify Admin → Settings → Locations
- PIMS: File → Locations Module → List All Locations
PIMS location names must be unique.
Note:
Location names must match exactly between Shopify and PIMS. If they don't match, quantities will not sync for that location.
Field Mapping
The following table shows how PIMS fields map to Shopify fields during product creation and updates.
| PIMS Field | Shopify Field | Synced During | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRODUCT NAME TO USE INSTEAD / NAME | Title | Create + Update | Only updates after creation when "PRODUCT NAME TO USE INSTEAD" is filled in, allowing title management from Shopify UI |
| MORE INFO TEXT | Body HTML | Create | Located in PIMS under WEB → Additional Data for WEB → MORE INFO TEXT |
| MANUFACTURER NAME | Vendor | Create + Update | Located in PIMS under Home → Vendor/Manufacturer Information |
| ADD TO PRODUCT PAGE | Product Type | Create + Update | Located in PIMS under WEB → Additional Data for WEB. Select only one item. |
| PRICE | Price | Create + Update | Located in PIMS under Home → Default Price/Costing → Price |
| NON-TAXABLE | Taxable | Create + Update | Inverted: if PIMS NON-TAXABLE is checked, Shopify taxable is unchecked |
| PART CODE | SKU | Create + Update | Located in PIMS under Home → Identification → Part Code |
| BARCODE | Barcode | Create + Update | Located in PIMS under Home → Identification → Barcode |
| SHP. WEIGHT | Weight | Create + Update | Located in PIMS under Home → General Information → Shp. Weight |
| Don't Adjust On-Hands | Inventory Tracking | Create + Update | When checked in PIMS, disables inventory level tracking in Shopify for this product |
| PRODUCT IMAGE | Image 1 | Create only | Only synced during initial product creation. Manage images via Shopify UI after creation. |
| MORE INFO IMAGE | Image 2 | Create only | Only synced during initial product creation. Manage images via Shopify UI after creation. |
| — | Continue selling when out of stock | Create | Enabled by default for products created by the integration |
| LEAD TIME | Metafield: expected_ship_time | Create | Requires custom metafield in Shopify admin with namespace "custom.expected_ship_time" (integer type) |
Sync Timing
Note:
"Create" fields are synced once when the product is first created in Shopify. "Create + Update" fields are re-synced whenever the PIMS inventory record is modified.
Some fields like Title and images use a "create only" strategy to allow merchants to manage content directly in Shopify without it being overwritten.
Product Lifecycle
What happens when a product is DISCONTINUED?
The integration will continue selling until quantity reaches 0, then archive the product in Shopify.
How to remove a product from Shopify?
Uncheck "OK to Show on SHOPIFY" and ensure "READY FOR SHOPIFY" is checked in PIMS — the integration will archive the product in Shopify.
Email Notifications
Configure email addresses in the Shopify integration settings to receive notifications when new products are created in Shopify.
Need Help?
For assistance, please send a message to our Support page.