Automation platforms

Patterns for n8n, Make, Zapier, Power Automate, custom middleware.

Prefer events over schedules

IoneShop webhook → Automation → ERP / mail / Sheets

Use scheduled HTTP only for reconcile jobs (updated_since).

Credential storage

• Store API keys in the automation platform’s secret store
• Use sandbox keys in non-prod scenarios
• Rotate when staff leave

Concurrency

Cap parallel scenario runs (e.g. 5) to avoid 429. Back off on rate limit.

Mapping checklist

Commerce field	Automation tip
Money	Keep minor units until display
IDs	Treat as opaque strings
Status enums	Map explicitly; fail closed on unknown
PII	Minimize fields pulled into third tools

Ready-made flows

1. New paid order → Slack — webhook order.paid
2. Inventory low → ticket — inventory.changed + filter quantity < threshold
3. Nightly product delta → Google Sheet — cron + updated_since
4. ERP invoice — see n8n; Enterprise EDI patterns under NDA / Order Form

Middleware

For complex transforms, run a thin service you control:

Webhook → your middleware (verify HMAC, map, idempotent write) → ERP API

Do not put business-critical mapping only inside opaque no-code black boxes without version control.