Technical note
Preventing errors in e-commerce ERP inventory synchronization
A practical architecture for inventory accuracy, reservations, cancellations and returns.
When web, mobile and physical stores sell the same inventory, one quantity is not enough. Available, reserved, shipping and return-pending stock need distinct states.
Short-lived reservations during checkout reduce overselling. Failed payment, cancellation and timeout paths must release reservations safely.
Webhook events can be missing or duplicated, so consumers must be idempotent and periodic reconciliation must verify the final state.
Accurate synchronization improves delivery promises while reducing manual corrections for the operations team.