Creating a Flexible Order Routing System with Shopify Functions

In this article, I’ll cover how we added flexibility to our previous one-size-fits-all order routing system with the introduction of “routing rules”, and how we dogfooded our own Shopify Functions feature to give merchants the ability to create their own routing rules.

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Shopify
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Ebun Segun
•9 min read•advanced•
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GraphQLRubyRustWebAssembly

Overview

This article discusses the development of a flexible order routing system using Shopify Functions, enhancing the traditional order routing process by introducing customizable routing rules. It details how merchants can tailor their order fulfillment strategies to better suit their unique business needs.

What You'll Learn

1

How to create custom routing rules for order fulfillment in Shopify

2

Why using the pipeline pattern improves code readability and debugging

3

How to implement Shopify Functions to extend order routing capabilities

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Understanding of order fulfillment processes
  • Familiarity with GraphQL(optional)
  • Experience with Rust programming(optional)

Key Questions Answered

What is smart order routing in Shopify?
Smart order routing is a system that allows merchants to customize how orders are routed to various inventory locations based on specific criteria, such as proximity to the buyer and inventory availability. This flexibility helps businesses optimize their fulfillment processes according to their unique setups.
How do routing rules work in the new order routing system?
Routing rules are functions that rank inventory locations based on specific parameters, allowing merchants to prioritize shipping from certain locations or based on proximity to the buyer. Merchants can combine multiple rules to create a tailored routing strategy for their orders.
What role do Shopify Functions play in order routing?
Shopify Functions enable developers to create custom logic for routing rules, which can be compiled into WebAssembly modules. This allows merchants to extend the order routing capabilities beyond the default rules provided by Shopify, enhancing flexibility.
What is the reducer in the context of order routing?
The reducer is a component that processes the results of selected routing rules to determine the best location for order fulfillment. It resolves ties by comparing rankings from subsequent rules, ensuring the most optimal location is chosen for shipping.

Technologies & Tools

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Backend
Shopify Functions
Used to create custom routing rules for order fulfillment.
Programming Language
Rust
Used to write the default routing rules for the order routing system.
Technology
Webassembly
Allows developers to compile custom logic for routing rules into a format that can run on Shopify's servers.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Merchants should leverage the new routing rules to optimize their order fulfillment processes based on their specific business needs.
By customizing routing rules, businesses can ensure that orders are shipped from the most efficient locations, reducing shipping times and costs.
2
Implementing the pipeline pattern can significantly enhance the maintainability of your order routing code.
This pattern allows developers to break down complex processes into manageable steps, making it easier to debug and understand the routing logic.
3
Utilizing Shopify Functions can provide a competitive edge by allowing for tailored routing solutions.
Custom functions enable businesses to implement unique logic that aligns with their operational strategies, enhancing customer satisfaction through improved delivery performance.

Common Pitfalls

1
Failing to properly prioritize routing rules can lead to suboptimal order fulfillment.
Merchants must carefully consider the order of their routing rules to ensure that the most critical factors, such as proximity and inventory availability, are addressed first.

Related Concepts

Order Fulfillment Strategies
Custom Business Logic
Pipeline Design Pattern