Introduction

From an integration platform point of view, the notion of Connectors and Connections in Plugboard is key to understand. Connections is the tool needed to have Plugboard interchange information with external systems. 

Without Connections no data will be transfered and thus nothing for Plugboard to do. A more simple setup might have two Connections whereas a more complex setup might have over a dozen Connections. It all depends on use case and how many Connections your paid package allow. 

Who, when and what a Connection transfer is up to the user to configure and is ultimately handled by the Plugs on the Connection.    

What is a Connector?

A Connector is the concept of a specific implementation to an external system to which Plugboard is integrated. Each Connector exposes a user interface with settings and authentication to the external system. 

Plugboard offers a vast array of pre-build Connectors grouped into a set of verticals (categories);

1. ERP & Accounting
2. E-commerce
3. Payment
4. Marketplace
5. Point-of-Sales
6. Logistics & WMS

Read more about our available Connectors.

What is a Connection?

A Connection is an instance of a Connector. That means you can create an arbitrary amount of connections to your systems using the Connector as building block. Lets say for example that you run three different e-commerce sites on Shopify. Then you will create three Connections in Plugboard, one for each site, and all of them are based on the Shopify Connector in Plugboard.

What is a Plug?

Each Connector has X number of implemented, and thus available, Plugs for use. Each Plug is used on the Connection to transfer data to or from Plugboard and the external system. The direction of data flow is also important to keep in mind. Directions are always from Plugboard point of view.

• Import - Data flowing to Plugboard.
• Export -  Data flowing from Plugboard.