Integration with eCommerce platforms and marketplaces is a must for SaaS products whose clients are online store owners. As a result, the more shopping platforms your eCommerce SaaS supports, the easier it is to cover diverse merchant needs. Therefore, as an eCommerce service provider, you should plan to connect your software with multiple platforms and marketplaces. In practice, Hybris API integration is one more way to attract clients and strengthen your position in the market.
In this article, we explain why Hybris matters for eCommerce software vendors. Next, we break down how the Hybris API REST layer works. Then, we review typical challenges in Hybris integration API scenarios. Finally, we show how a unified approach with API2Cart can simplify Hybris API integration.
Key Facts about Hybris API
The Hybris API is exposed through the Omni Commerce Connector (OCC). Essentially, OCC is a set of RESTful endpoints for common shopper interactions. The SAP Commerce Cloud OCC package is the core reference for Hybris OCC API documentation. It describes available resources and operations.
OCC is a Hybris API REST interface that uses HTTP verbs. Additionally, it relies on OAuth2-based authorization. It allows you to retrieve products, customers, orders, and other store data. This data supports B2B SaaS workflows such as order management, inventory sync, pricing, personalization, and analytics.
The official Hybris OCC API documentation is available in Swagger / OpenAPI format. Moreover, it supports both JSON and XML representations. That simplifies adoption, testing, and governance. For example, developers can inspect schemas, try calls in the browser, and generate client stubs.
What Are the Benefits of Hybris API Integration?
Hybris was founded in 1997 and acquired by SAP in 2013. Today, it is known as SAP Commerce Cloud. It is a mature digital commerce platform with enterprise focus in the United States, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe.
The Hybris architecture is highly adaptable. It supports flexible configuration and customization. According to BuiltWith, over 19,000 online stores run on this platform. Therefore, Hybris integration can open access to a large and stable client base.
The Hybris API makes it possible to retrieve customers, orders, product data, and other store information. As a result, B2B SaaS providers can build features for catalog management, order processing, fulfillment, marketing automation, and reporting. However, this requires proper access and consistent data handling.
Main benefits of Hybris integration for eCommerce software providers include:
- Customer base growth. With more than 19,000 stores using the platform, Hybris integration can attract merchants already on SAP Commerce Cloud.
- Revenue increase. Every new supported platform can translate into more paying clients for your SaaS. Therefore, adding Hybris API integration can increase appeal for mid-size and enterprise retailers.
- Product value and functionality improvement. Hybris integration API capabilities help support complex B2B and B2C scenarios. Moreover, they allow you to extend your SaaS feature set.
However, enterprise integrations are usually resource-intensive. Below we review key pitfalls and technical challenges of implementing Hybris API.
Pitfalls of Implementing Hybris Integration
Building and maintaining a direct integration with the Hybris API requires strong technical skills. It also requires a deep understanding of the platform’s data model. SAP Commerce Cloud is flexible, but it is complex. For example, it relies on custom types, extensions, and layered services.
In addition, support and community resources do not always explain edge-case errors clearly. Although official documentation exists, some scenarios still require hands-on debugging. This is especially true for custom configurations, multiple storefronts, and advanced B2B features.
Hybris Integration via API2Cart
Explore how Hybris integration can help your business become more competitive.
Other Challenges You May Face When Developing Shopping Cart Integration
Integration with eCommerce platforms is one of the hardest tasks for companies that provide eCommerce services. If you support multiple platforms, you need time and expertise for each one. Hybris is no exception.
Some typical challenges of building direct integrations with platforms like Hybris include:
- Handling platform-specific complexity. To work with Hybris API REST endpoints and custom logic, you need a skilled engineering team. Additionally, the team must understand SAP Commerce Cloud extensions and deployment models.
- Ongoing delivery effort. A single custom Hybris integration can take months to deliver and stabilize. Moreover, building multiple separate connectors multiplies maintenance.
- Breaking changes across versions. Developers often implement logic against a specific platform version. When SAP Commerce Cloud is updated, your code may require adaptation. As a result, long-term ownership costs increase.
Because of these reasons, separate custom-built connectors become costly at scale. Therefore, a more scalable approach is a unified API service that covers Hybris API and other platforms.
Using a ready-made integration solution such as API2Cart’s unified API is an efficient way to work with multiple platforms. API2Cart already connects to 60+ eCommerce platforms and marketplaces, including Hybris. Next, we show how this can help your implementation.
Which Industries Can Benefit from Hybris Integration
API2Cart can be valuable for eCommerce software providers in the following industries:
- Shipping management software
- Inventory management software
- eCommerce marketing automation software
- Chatbots
- POS software integration
- Product catalog software
- Warehouse management software
- Multi-channel software
- Many others
How to Easily Develop Hybris Integration
API2Cart provides a unified API layer for Hybris API integration and other platforms. It supports 60+ eCommerce platforms and marketplaces through one integration. For example, it covers Hybris, Shopify, Magento, PrestaShop, OpenCart, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce.
Currently, API2Cart provides the following API methods for Hybris:
- For products: product.list, product.info, product.count, product.find, product.child_item.list
- For orders: order.list, order.count, order.info, order.add
- For order statuses: order.status.list
- For customers: customer.list
API2Cart also provides a wide range of API methods for products, orders, shipments, categories, and customers. Additionally, you can combine methods for Hybris integration API scenarios based on your use cases.
Hybris API response example (product.list)
For example, to retrieve a product list, you can call product.list. Below is an example response structure:
{
"return_code": 0,
"return_message": "",
"pagination": {
"previous": null,
"next": "..."
},
"result": {
"products_count": 1,
"product": [
{
"id": "42",
"type": "configurable",
"u_model": "iphone_11_pro",
"u_sku": "iphone_11_pro",
"name": "iPhone 11 Pro",
"description": "The <b>iPhone 11 Pro</b> ...",
"short_description": "",
"price": 450,
"advanced_price": [],
"quantity": 995,
"inventory": [],
"categories_ids": [22],
"stores_ids": ["1"],
"url": "https://demo.api2cart.com/woocommerce/?product=iphone-11-pro",
"seo_url": "https://demo.api2cart.com/woocommerce/?product=iphone-11-pro",
"avail_sale": true,
"avail_view": true,
"is_virtual": false,
"is_downloadable": false,
"weight": 0.2,
"weight_unit": "kg",
"images": [
{
"id": "base_58",
"http_path": "https://demo.api2cart.com/woocommerce/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/iphone_11_pro_sg_2_3.jpg",
"alt": "iPhone 11 Pro",
"type": "IMAGE_TYPE_BASE"
}
],
"product_options": [
{
"id": "ram",
"name": "RAM",
"type": "select",
"required": true,
"option_items": [
{"id": "4", "name": "4"},
{"id": "8", "name": "8"},
{"id": "12", "name": "12"}
]
}
],
"dimensions_unit": "m",
"width": 71.4,
"height": 8.1,
"length": 144,
"additional_fields": {
"viewed_count": 0,
"ordered_count": 2,
"stock_status": "In stock"
}
}
]
}
}
You can test the flow using our demo stores or your clients’ stores. To proceed, register a free 14-day trial and follow the guidelines. Additionally, we provide guides for adding stores across open-source and hosted platforms.
If you have questions, contact us or schedule a call with our representative.
Conclusion
For eCommerce B2B software, integrations are unavoidable. By using API2Cart, you can connect to 60+ platforms and marketplaces through one integration. As a result, you reduce technical overhead around Hybris API ownership. Moreover, you can move faster with new client onboarding.
Therefore, start a free trial to validate the fit for your use case. If you prefer, you can also contact us or schedule a call with our representative.
FAQs
What is the Hybris API and how does OCC work?
The Hybris API is exposed through the Omni Commerce Connector (OCC). Essentially, OCC provides REST-based endpoints for accessing storefront data such as products, customers, and orders. Additionally, it relies on OAuth2 for secure authorization and returns responses in JSON or XML format. As a result, developers can use Swagger or OpenAPI documentation to explore available endpoints, test requests, and generate client code efficiently.
What is the easiest way to build a Hybris API integration?
The simplest approach is to use a unified integration solution like API2Cart instead of developing a custom connector from scratch. This way, your software can connect to Hybris along with 60+ other eCommerce platforms through a single integration. Moreover, you can work with a consistent data structure for products, orders, and customers. Consequently, API2Cart also takes care of platform updates and ongoing technical maintenance.