This article helps you understand the correct order for enabling and running integration flows, along with recommended setup steps for a new implementation. It also explains how lag and delta settings impact data synchronization between Shopify and NetSuite. Scheduling frequency is not predefined so you can adjust it based on your business volume and operational needs.
Flows must be enabled and run in a specific order because many flows depend on records created by earlier flows. The table below shows each flow's dependencies.
|
Flow |
Depends on |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Shopify store to NetSuite custom record |
None |
Run first. Creates the store mapping record in NetSuite. |
|
Shopify business entity to NetSuite |
Store sync |
Run after store sync. Maps business entities. |
|
Shopify markets to NetSuite |
Store sync |
Run after store sync. Maps Shopify markets. |
|
Shopify products to item ID map |
Items in NetSuite |
Maps Shopify products to NetSuite items by SKU. Must run before orders. |
|
Shopify customer to NetSuite customer |
None |
Can run independently; also triggered inline by the order flow. |
|
Shopify order to NetSuite sales order or cash sale |
Product map, Customer sync |
Depends on item map and customer records existing in NetSuite. |
|
Exchanges flow |
Order flow, Returns flow |
Processes exchange orders after the original order and return exist. |
|
Shopify fulfillment to NetSuite fulfillment |
Order flow |
Requires the NetSuite sales order to exist. |
|
NetSuite fulfillment to Shopify fulfillment |
Order flow |
Requires order synced. Reads NetSuite item fulfillment records. |
|
Hold fulfillments on payment pending |
Order flow |
Monitors Shopify fulfillment holds for exchange upsell scenarios. |
|
NetSuite billing to Shopify billing |
Order + Billing flow |
Requires NS invoice or cash sale to exist. |
|
Customer deposit flow |
Order flow |
Requires Shopify order synced to NetSuite. |
|
Shopify refund to NetSuite refund |
Order + Billing flow |
Requires original billing transaction in NetSuite. |
|
NetSuite refund to Shopify refund |
Order flow |
Requires credit memo or customer refund in NetSuite. |
|
Shopify returns to NetSuite RMA |
Order flow |
Requires original sales order in NetSuite. |
|
NS pending RMA to approved return |
Returns flow |
Requires RMA created by returns flow. |
|
NS received RMA to process return |
Returns flow |
Requires item receipt on RMA in NetSuite. |
|
Cancellation flows (bi-directional) |
Order flow |
Requires the order to exist in both systems. |
|
Payout flows (all 3) |
Order + Billing + Refund flows |
Reconciles against existing transactions. Run after all transactional flows. |
|
NetSuite order to Shopify order |
Items in NetSuite, Shopify store exists |
Pushes NS-originated orders back to Shopify. Independent of the inbound order flow. |
|
NetSuite items to Shopify product (simple) |
Items in NetSuite |
Catalog companion to matrix item flow. Safe to run alongside it. |
|
NetSuite item metafields to Shopify |
Item flow (simple or matrix) |
Enriches existing Shopify products with NS attributes. Requires products to exist in Shopify first. |
|
NetSuite Transfer Orders to Shopify Inventory Transfer |
Item map, Location mapping |
Mirrors in-transit stock. Requires locations mapped in both systems. |
|
Shopify received Inventory Transfer to NS |
Transfer order flow |
Posts Item Receipts for Transfer against NS transfer orders. Runs after the outbound transfer flow. |
Follow this order when enabling flows for the first time to ensure data syncs correctly between Shopify and NetSuite:
-
Generic flows (run once): Store sync, Business entity sync, Markets sync
-
Product mapping: Shopify products to NetSuite item ID map
-
Item catalog flows: NetSuite items to Shopify (simple), NetSuite matrix items to Shopify, then NetSuite item metafields to Shopify
-
Customer sync: Shopify customers to NetSuite
-
Order sync: Shopify orders to NetSuite (Sales Orders or Cash Sales)
-
Optional: NetSuite to Shopify order flow: Enable only if you create orders in NetSuite and want them in Shopify
-
Fulfillment flows (bi-directional): Sync fulfillments between Shopify and NetSuite
-
Billing flows
-
Refund flows (bi-directional)
-
Returns and exchange flows
-
Cancellation flows
-
Transfer order flows (bi-directional)
-
Payout flows (run last, in order)
Most flows use timestamps to detect new or updated records. A lag adds a small delay to ensure records are fully processed before being picked up.
Recommended settings:
-
Order flow: Use a 10–15 minute lag. Ensures orders reach the correct financial status before syncing
-
Fulfillment flows: Use a 5-minute lag. Allows tracking and carrier details to be updated before syncing
-
Payout flows: Use a 24-hour lag. Ensures all transactions are available before reconciliation
Tips:
-
Avoid using long lag times across multiple flows, as this can delay data syncing
-
If a flow is paused, confirm it resumes correctly and continues picking up new records
-
If records appear to be missing, check the lag and timestamp settings first