Shopify Inventory Sync Details

How Inventory Sync Works

The platform syncs inventory to Shopify using a change-based (delta-based) model.

• Inventory updates are sent to Shopify only when the platform receives an inventory change from the source system, such as NetSuite.

• If a SKU or location does not receive a new inventory update from the source, the platform does not automatically push inventory for that SKU to Shopify.

• This approach supports scalability and performance for large catalogs. However, it also means inventory mismatches can persist under certain conditions.

What Reconciliation Does (and Does Not Do)

The platform runs a nightly inventory reconciliation window, typically between 12:00 AM and 2:00 AM PST.

What reconciliation does

• Re-processes inventory changes received in approximately the last 24 hours

• Helps correct issues caused by out-of-order updates or temporary sync failures

What reconciliation does not do

• Does not compare the full inventory state in the platform with Shopify

• Does not re-send inventory for SKUs that have not changed recently

• Does not automatically fix historical discrepancies

If a SKU has not received a recent inventory update from the source system, reconciliation does not include it.

Why Inventory Discrepancies Can Happen

You may encounter scenarios where:

• The platform shows Available = X

• Shopify shows Available = Y

• Automatic sync and reconciliation are enabled

• Shopify inventory does not update

Common causes include:

• The SKU has not had an inventory adjustment from the source system for an extended period

• Inventory was manually edited in Shopify

• The SKU was previously skipped or not updated due to sync timing

• Large catalogs with low-velocity SKUs

In these cases, the platform does not have a new delta from the source system to trigger an automatic inventory push.

Manual Push vs. Automatic Sync

• Automatic sync relies strictly on inventory deltas from the source system.

• Manual inventory push explicitly forces the platform to send the current inventory state to Shopify.

This is why a manual push can update Shopify immediately, while automatic sync does not.

How to Fix Inventory Mismatches

If Shopify inventory does not match the platform and automatic sync does not resolve the issue:

Recommended solution

• Run a Force Push of Inventory to Shopify.

• This forces the platform to send inventory for all relevant SKUs, regardless of when the last source-system update occurred.

Not required

• A full inventory re-import from NetSuite is not required in most cases.

When to Use a Force Push

Use a force push when:

• Shopify inventory does not match the platform

• Automatic sync and reconciliation are enabled

• The SKU has not had recent inventory changes from the source system

• A manual push updates Shopify correctly

Key Takeaway

Inventory sync on the platform is source-driven, not discrepancy-driven. If a SKU does not receive a new inventory update from the source system, the platform does not automatically push inventory to Shopify, even when a mismatch exists. In these scenarios, a force push is the correct way to bring Shopify back into sync.

Nightly Full-sync

The app pushes inventory updates to Shopify whenever a SKU's stock level changes. To cover SKUs that were newly added to a store but whose stock has not changed since they were created, the app also runs a nightly full-sync that pushes the current available quantity for every adopted SKU. This guarantees that products introduced during the day reach Shopify with the correct quantity by end of day, even if no stock event was recorded.

Need Help?

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• Use Ask Pippen, our AI agent, located at the top of the app page.

• Submit a support request with as much relevant detail as possible. Learn how to submit a request.

• For urgent issues, email us directly at support@pipe17.com.

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