Core Concepts

Understanding these fundamental concepts is essential to working effectively with Talk2sync. This section introduces the key terminology and architectural concepts you'll encounter throughout the platform.

Job

Definition

A job is an asynchronous process that runs in Talk2sync to perform automated tasks. Most processes in Talk2sync operate asynchronously, meaning they run in the background while you continue working, with progress reported in real-time on the Talk2sync dashboard.

How Jobs Work

When you trigger an action in Talk2sync (such as syncing products or retrieving orders), a job is created to handle that task. The system processes the job and displays progress updates as it completes.

Job Duration

The amount of time it takes for a job to complete depends on:

• Complexity of the Task - Simple operations like checking connection status complete quickly, while complex operations like full catalog synchronization take longer
• Amount of Data - The quantity of information being processed, read, transformed, or uploaded directly impacts execution time
• System Load - The overall system load and concurrent job queue affects processing speed
• Data Type - Syncing PRODUCTS or SALES ORDERS may take different amounts of time depending on data volume and complexity

Example

• Syncing 100 products: ~30 seconds
• Syncing 10,000 products: ~5-10 minutes
• Retrieving orders with tracking: ~1-2 minutes per 1,000 orders

Connection

Definition

A connection represents a platform, marketplace, or application that you want to integrate with Talk2sync. It's the link between your external system and Talk2sync for managing your catalog and orders.

Connection Components

A connection includes:

• Platform Identity - Which platform or service you're connecting to
• Configuration - How the connection is set up (credentials, endpoints, mappings)
• State - Current status of the connection (active, paused, error, etc.)
• Data Structure - How your PRODUCTS and SALES ORDERS are organized

Connection Representation

In the Talk2sync dashboard, a connection is displayed as a visual card or item showing:

• Connection name and type
• Current status
• Last sync time
• Configuration details
• Number of products/orders synced

What Gets Connected

A connection typically connects to systems that store:

• Product Catalogs - Your inventory and product listings
• Sales Orders - Your customer orders and transactions
• Customer Information - Buyer details and history
• Inventory Levels - Real-time stock availability

Platform / App / Channel / Marketplace / Marketplace Account / ERP / Shopping Cart / Database / Dropshipping Service / Ad Account / E-commerce Site

The Challenge

It can cause confusion to use different terms to refer to the same thing. Talk2sync supports many types of integrations, and different industries use different terminology.

Unified Concept

All of these terms refer to the same concept in Talk2sync:

A PLATFORM is any external system or service connected to your Talk2sync Account.

Common Platform Types

Talk2sync supports connections to:

Key Takeaway

Whether you're connecting:

• A marketplace account
• An ERP system
• A custom database
• A dropshipping service

Talk2sync treats them all the same way: as PLATFORMS in your account.

Product

Definition

A product is a complex data entity that stores comprehensive information about something you sell. Products are central to Talk2sync and represent items in your catalog.

Product Terminology

Different platforms use different terms for essentially the same concept:

• Listing - Amazon, eBay
• Publication - MercadoLibre
• Offering - Some marketplaces
• Catalog Item - ERPs
• SKU Object - Inventory systems
• Merchandise - Retail systems
• Shopping Item - E-commerce platforms

Talk2sync standardizes all of these as: PRODUCT

Product Types

A product can represent:

• Physical Objects - Tangible goods
• Bundles - Multiple items sold together
• Wholesale Offers - B2B products
• Digital Goods - Software, downloads, licenses
• Services - Professional services, consulting

Product Data Structure

A Talk2sync product record stores:

Core Information

• Title - Product name
• Description - Detailed product information
• SKU - Stock Keeping Unit
• UPC/Barcode - Product identifiers

Pricing & Availability

• Price - Selling price (supports multiple currencies)
• Stock Availability - Quantity on hand by location
• Cost - Product cost (if applicable)

Classification

• Brand - Manufacturer or brand name
• Model - Product model number
• MPN - Manufacturer Part Number
• Categories - Product classification

Media

• Images - Product photos
• Videos - Product video links
• URLs - Product links/URLs

Variations

• Colors - Color variants
• Sizes - Size variants
• Configurations - Custom variant options
• Variant SKUs - Individual variant identifiers

Platform-Specific

• Categories - Platform-specific categories
• Publishing Status - Live, draft, inactive, etc.
• Classifications - Platform classifications
• Custom Fields - Platform-specific attributes

Universal Product Structure

Talk2sync provides a standard universal structure that can represent any interpretation of product information from any platform, ensuring compatibility across all connections.

Sales Orders

Definition

A sales order (also called an order or transaction) is a complex data entity that stores information about a sale event. It represents the complete record of a customer transaction on a platform.

Sales Order Terminology

Different platforms use different terms:

• Order - Most e-commerce platforms
• Sale - CRM and accounting systems
• Sales Transaction - Invoicing systems
• Sales Document - ERP systems
• Transaction Document - Accounting systems

Talk2sync standardizes all of these as: SALES ORDER

Sales Order Components

A Talk2sync sales order record stores:

Order Details

• Order Number - Unique order identifier
• Order Date - When the order was placed
• Order Status - Current state (pending, paid, shipped, etc.)
• Order Total - Total amount and currency

Order Items

• Product IDs - Which products were ordered
• Quantities - How many of each product
• Unit Prices - Price per unit
• Item Totals - Line item amounts

Buyer Information

• Buyer Name - Customer name
• Email - Customer email address
• Phone - Customer phone number
• Customer ID - Unique customer identifier

Addresses

• Shipping Address - Delivery location
• Billing Address - Payment address
• Address Details - Street, city, state, postal code, country

Shipping & Fulfillment

• Shipment Status - Pending, shipped, delivered
• Tracking Numbers - Carrier tracking identifiers
• Carrier Info - Shipping carrier (FedEx, UPS, etc.)
• Shipping Labels - Printable shipping documents
• Estimated Delivery - Expected delivery date

Communication & Feedback

• Customer Messages - Communications from buyer
• Ratings - Customer rating for the transaction
• Feedback/Reviews - Customer review text
• Seller Notes - Internal notes about the order

Financial Information

• Payment Status - Paid, pending, refunded
• Invoice Info - Invoice numbers and dates
• Discount/Promo - Any discounts applied
• Taxes - Tax calculations

Universal Sales Order Structure

Talk2sync provides a standard universal structure that captures any interpretation of order data from any platform, ensuring data compatibility and consistency.

Record Multidimensionality (Products or Sales Orders)

What is Multidimensionality?

Records in Talk2sync are multi-dimensional. This is a powerful concept that allows a single record to have multiple representations or equivalences across different connected platforms.

How It Works

A single Talk2sync record can have:

• 0 to N equivalences - From zero to unlimited equivalent records on connected platforms
• Each connected to one connection - Each equivalence is tied to a specific platform connection
• Multiple equivalences per connection - A single connection can have multiple equivalences for the same Talk2sync record
• Single connection per equivalence - Each equivalence cannot be linked to multiple connections simultaneously

Visual Example

Talk2sync Record (Master)
├── Equivalence 1 → Amazon Connection
├── Equivalence 2 → MercadoLibre Connection
├── Equivalence 3 → Shopify Connection
└── Equivalence 4 → ERP System Connection

Real-World Scenario

Product Example:

You sell a blue t-shirt across three platforms:

• Amazon: Listed as "T-Shirt Blue SKU-001" (ASIN: B12345)
• MercadoLibre: Listed as "Remera Azul Código 001" (ID: 987654)
• Shopify: Listed as "Classic Blue T-Shirt" (Shopify ID: 456789)

In Talk2sync:

• One master product record represents this item
• Three equivalences exist (one for each platform)
• Each equivalence stores platform-specific data (IDs, titles, prices)
• When you update the master record, changes cascade to all equivalences

Order Example:

A customer buys from your Amazon store:

• Master Sales Order created in Talk2sync
• One equivalence links to the Amazon order
• Can create additional equivalences if order info is sent to other systems
• Order status updates to the master, then to all equivalences

Benefits of Multidimensionality

✓ Single Source of Truth - One master record represents the same logical item across all platforms

✓ Automatic Synchronization - Changes to equivalences propagate to the master and other equivalences

✓ Platform Agnostic - Add or remove platforms without losing data integrity

✓ Flexible Mapping - Each equivalence can map different platform-specific data

✓ Audit Trail - Track which physical product/order corresponds to which listing on which platform

Key Principle

Think of a Talk2sync record as a logical entity that exists in multiple physical forms across different platforms, all unified and managed under one master record.

Summary

These core concepts form the foundation of how Talk2sync operates:

Next Steps

Now that you understand these core concepts, explore:

• Talk2sync Platform Guide - Learn how to use the interface
• Product Management - Create and manage products
• Order Processing - Handle sales orders