Automated Transition of Deprecated Products to Draft Status in Shopify

Currently, when a price file is uploaded in Cin7, products can be flagged as "deprecated" in the system. However, this status only applies within Cin7 and does not automatically trigger any changes in the Shopify catalog. As a result, deprecated items remain active on Shopify until they are manually unlisted—a process that is both time-consuming and prone to error.

Current Workflow Details:

1. Price File Upload & Deprecation Flag:
   • A user uploads a price file in Cin7 which includes several products designated to be deprecated.
   • The system marks these products as "deprecated," serving as an internal flag that they should no longer be actively sold.
2. Manual Removal from Shopify:
   • Single Product Removal:
     • Navigate to the Catalog tab within the Cin7 Shopify integration.
     • Select the individual product, then click "Remove from Shopify" and save changes.
   • Bulk Product Removal:
     • Go to the Bulk Listing tab.
     • Apply filters or search to identify the deprecated products.
     • Select the items, click "Unlist," and then save the changes.
3. Issues with the Existing Workflow:
   • Inefficiency: Manually processing between 50 to 100 products per update is inefficient and disrupts daily operations.
   • Risk of Error: Manual filtering increases the chance of overlooking deprecated products, which may then remain active on Shopify.
   • Lack of Automation: There is no built-in mechanism to automatically transition these products from an active to a non-live status on Shopify, creating a disconnect between Cin7 (the source of truth) and the live storefront.

Proposed Enhancement:

• Automated Draft Conversion:
  When a product is marked as "deprecated" in Cin7, the system should automatically convert its status to "draft" in Shopify. This change would prevent deprecated items from appearing on the live storefront without any manual intervention.

Key Benefits:

• Streamlined Workflow:
  Automating the conversion removes the need for manual intervention, significantly reducing processing time and administrative workload.
• Enhanced Data Integrity:
  With Cin7 as the definitive source of truth, the automated update ensures that Shopify accurately reflects the current status of products, avoiding discrepancies.
• Operational Efficiency:
  By eliminating the manual steps, the risk of human error is reduced, which in turn ensures that outdated or discontinued items are not accidentally sold.
• Scalability:
  For businesses managing large inventories, automation simplifies updates and allows for smoother scaling as product lines evolve.
• Improved Customer Experience:
  Ensuring only active, relevant products are visible on Shopify enhances the overall shopping experience and safeguards brand reputation.

Conclusion:
Implementing an automated conversion of deprecated products to draft status in Shopify will align the two platforms more effectively. This enhancement will not only improve efficiency and data consistency but also support better inventory management, ultimately contributing to a more seamless operational workflow and enhanced customer satisfaction.