They said they'll do an API integration — what does that mean, should it be a separate line item?

An API is the doorway through which two software programs query each other and receive responses in a standardized format. But if that door is locked on the ERP side, the agency can't do anything from the website end. Does your ERP vendor have ready-made REST services, or will a custom middleware service need to be built? Any contract signed without clarifying this will lead to unexpected extra costs.

We made the exact same mistake on a similar project. The agency put integration as a single line item, and when the site was finished, our accounting software vendor said "our API license is 50,000 TL and you have to build the connection yourself." The agency stepped aside saying "we don't touch your accounting system." The project was deadlocked for six whole months with both companies pointing fingers at each other.

Have them revise that one-liner in the proposal right away. Make sure every single data table to be synced is itemized in the contract: product records, price lists, inventory counts and order details. Also make it a contractual requirement to specify where errors will be logged whenever there's a data mismatch.

In accordance with contract law and technical specification standards, integration commitments without a defined scope may be interpreted against the client in the event of a dispute. The acceptance criteria for integration services, bug tolerance windows, and the party responsible for third-party software licensing costs must be explicitly laid out in the contract annex.

Promising a corporate website, an e-commerce infrastructure and a custom ERP integration all for a total budget of 180.000 TL doesn't sound very realistic to me. A solid two-way integration alone requires weeks of testing. They'll probably just set up a basic order transfer and call it a day.

same thing happened to us, an order would come in from the site but the vat rates or discounts would sync incorrectly to the erp. staff was completely burnt out from fixing it manually. i wouldnt approve that clause without setting up a data mapping table first.

Is the ERP software you're using a modern cloud-based system, or does it run on an on-premise local server? If it's an older desktop-style setup, external access will require a static IP and firewall configuration; did the agency look into these infrastructure requirements?

Just a heads-up. When making decisions, write down the worst-case scenario too, not just the best.

I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

Could you elaborate on that? Solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I've been down this road, let me tell you. Start with a small trial; don't commit to everything at once.

People defend habits, not processes. Resistance comes from there. Proven by experience.

I agree.

If you're going this route, sort this out first. The cheapest quote is usually the least thought-out one.

If you have questions, write them; I'll answer as best I can.

Thanks for writing this thats the right way. People defend habits, not processes. Resistance comes from there.

Thats all, sorry if I went on too long.

There's a common mistake people make when doing this. Solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late.

Of course, it varies if your situation is different.

Quick summary for newcomers: If it's your first time, start small; scaling comes later.

When making decisions write down the worst-case scenario too, not just the best.

We got stuck at the same point for a while. Start with a small trial; don't commit to everything at once.

I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

Thanks, that was the answer I was looking for.

thanks a lot I'll try it today then i mean don't hesitatte to ask; those who don't ask always pay more.

proven by experience.