ERP API Integration Explained: REST, Webhooks, Auth and Idempotency
A plain-English explanation of ERP API integration: REST APIs, webhooks, authentication methods, idempotency, pagination, rate limits and error handling.
Integration · Communication
Overview
We integrate the WhatsApp Business Platform with the ERP, respecting template approval rules, opt-in requirements and the customer service window.
01Data
| Entity | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outbound notifications | ERP → App | Template messages for confirmations, shipping, invoices and reminders. |
| Inbound messages | App → ERP | Replies logged against customer, order or ticket. |
| Delivery & read status | App → ERP | Message status recorded for follow-up. |
| Opt-in status | ⇄ Both | Consent captured and respected. |
02Use cases
Customers notified at each step.
Friendly reminders with payment links.
Messages become helpdesk tickets.
Technician visits confirmed by reply.
03 — Architecture
Messages are sent through the WhatsApp Cloud API (or a business solution provider) using pre-approved templates for business-initiated conversations. Inbound messages arrive by webhook and are matched to customers by phone number.
Free-form replies are allowed within the customer service window after a customer message; outside it, approved templates are required.
04Reliability
Meta business account with a system user access token scoped to the WhatsApp Business account; webhook verification token and signature validation.
Template rejections, invalid numbers and policy errors logged against the record; fallbacks to email or SMS where configured.
Transient send failures retried; permanent failures (invalid number, opted-out) not retried and flagged.
05 — Data mapping
| ERP | |
|---|---|
| Customer mobile (E.164) | Partner phone |
| Template name + params | Notification type + fields |
| Inbound message | Message / ticket |
| Message status | Delivery log |
| Opt-in flag | Partner consent |
06 — Automation
07 — Security
Explicit opt-in required for business messaging; phone numbers treated as personal data; tokens stored securely.
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Insights
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FAQ
Yes, business-initiated messages must use templates approved by Meta.
Yes, replies are logged in the ERP and can create tickets.
Yes, customers must opt in to receive WhatsApp messages from your business.
Next step
Tell us what you want to automate. We will design a reliable integration with monitoring built in.