KFA Connect helps YMC to integrate Shopify with their existing order management system, Options.
Across menswear, womenswear, and unisex designs, creative flair has become a hallmark of the YMC label.
Today, it stands as a true leader – recognised for original contemporary clothing with two standalone London stores.
The Project
After moving from a WooCommerce website to a new Shopify eCommerce website, You Must Create [YMC] needed to integrate with Options, their existing order management system.
The Requirements
To integrate a new Shopify website with Options, YMC’s order management system in time for the launch of the brand on Shopify.
Rather than a simple one-to-one integration, multiple business processes were identified.
Some had previously been handled manually, and here the brief required that these be automated.
Other processes needed to be designed to replace those currently being used in an integration to WooCommerce.
The integration encompassed:
- Orders and associated information (new, updated, and cancelled).
- Payment processing.
- Stock levels supplied by a SAP ECC6 system mediated by Options.
- Fulfilment of orders from Options using the Sorted (Courier Management Platform).
- Returns handling.
The Challenge
YMC needed a complete solution which would replace an existing website whilst still providing full integration with their Options solution.
The solution needed to be delivered in a short timeframe whilst improving the customer experience. Existing integrations could not be leveraged resulting in a new development requirement.
The KFA Connect Solution
KFA Connect spent time gaining an understanding of the Options solution and how it was used by YMC. KFA Connect analysed the Sorted Courier Management Platform and produced a mapping system to allow YMC’s existing services to work seamlessly with their Shopify store.
- Orders from Shopify (YMC) > Options
- Order updates from Options > Shopify
- Fulfilment of orders Options > Shopify
- Tracking and courier information Shopify <> Sorted
- Returns from Options > Shopify
- Returns/Refunds (response message) Shopify > Options
KFA Connect provided project management, software development and a support desk to provide ongoing support.
The Outcome
KFA Connect developed middleware to connect Shopify and Options, enabling the YMC site to go live to great success.
The team used their experience of managing complex launches, and deep knowledge of Shopify integration to ensure that go-live was smooth and that pitfalls were avoided. This monitoring included order checking, end-to-end performance testing and other processes to ensure the integrity of the system.
Working to extremely tight deadlines KFA delivered the changes into the French Connection QA environment on time and supported the test team to iron out a few small issues before the
code was put live.
Since going live, the integration has proved to be incredibly robust, working seamlessly when YMC recently held an archive sale which saw order volumes increase ten-fold.
The Future
The KFA Connect team are now discussing additional integrations
with YMC and their Shopify site, to include:
- BI and reporting
- Point of Sale integration
Customer Comments
“In April 2024, YMC re-platformed a decade-old website from WooCommerce to Shopify.
KFA Connect was tasked with building our stock and order middleware connector with SAP ERP and Options WMS.
Nearly two months in, the project has been a resounding success.
Shortly after launch, our Archive Sale broke all records, with some of the highest order volumes we have seen.The stock and order integrations Joe and his team built were thoroughly stress-tested and performed flawlessly.
Working with KFA Connect has been a pleasure. They are detail-oriented, highly professional, yet approachable and flexible, accommodating our business needs.We highly recommend KFA Connect”.
Alex Chisholm, eCommerce Manager – YMC
KFA Connect was thrilled to support this integration project for another brand from the French Connection group.
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