1The challenge
A reseller with its own webshop needs Designplants’ product data in its own system, and needs to know what is in stock. Without an API:
- Product data travelled in spreadsheets that were out of date the moment they were sent.
- Resellers re-keyed orders into the Designplants webshop by hand.
- Stock questions went to customer service.
- Giving partners direct Magento access was not an option.
Why not just open the Magento API?
Magento has a full REST API, but it is built for developers who know Magento. A reseller needs a smaller, simpler set of endpoints, limited to what they are allowed to see and protected against too many requests. A layer on top of the native API gives them exactly that.
2Our approach
We built a reseller API on top of Magento’s native REST API, with a simplified layer where needed and security per reseller.
Catalogue endpoints
Products, images, stock and prices available to read for each reseller.
Order endpoints
Read existing sales orders and place new orders through the API.
Secure access
Authentication per reseller and rate limiting, so one integration can’t slow down the webshop.
Built on Magento
The native Magento API where possible, with a simplified layer on top, so it follows Magento’s own updates.
3The result
Resellers can now pull Designplants’ range into their own systems and keep stock and prices current without spreadsheets. Orders arrive in Magento directly, which removes manual re-entry on both sides and makes it easier for Designplants to add new resellers.
Next step: a quote endpoint, so resellers can request quotes through the API as well.
?Frequently asked questions about B2B APIs
Can resellers connect to my Magento webshop directly?
Yes, through an API. Magento has a REST API built in; for resellers we usually add a simplified layer with authentication and limits per partner.
Is it safe to give partners API access?
With authentication per reseller, access limited to what they need and rate limiting, yes. Partners never get admin access.
Which data can an API share?
Typically products, images, stock, prices and orders. What you share is up to you.
Can the same data feed marketplaces?
Yes. For marketplaces and comparison sites we often use feed tools such as Channable, which we also connect to Magento.
