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Batch processing

Process management1/5/2026Basic Level

Batch processing involves executing a series of non-interactive jobs or tasks on large volumes of data without manual intervention. It is used for efficient, automated data management and updates.

What is Batch processing? (Definition)

Batch processing is a method where a computer completes a large group of tasks at once without human help. The system collects data or jobs into a single set and processes them together instead of one by one. This approach is efficient for handling massive amounts of information that do not need immediate attention. Companies often use this for repetitive tasks like updating inventory levels or syncing product prices across different sales channels. A PIM system like WISEPIM uses batch processing to import thousands of product descriptions in one go. This saves time and ensures that data remains consistent across the entire catalog.

Why Batch processing is Important for E-commerce

Batch processing is a method where a computer handles large groups of data all at once. Online stores use it to manage catalogs with thousands of SKUs. Each product has many details like prices, images, and descriptions that need regular updates. Updating these items manually is slow and often leads to mistakes. Batch processing automates these tasks to save time and ensure accuracy. It allows you to change prices for a whole category or update stock levels across your entire site in one go. WISEPIM uses this to sync product information quickly across all your sales channels.

Examples of Batch processing

  • 1Update prices for 10,000 products at once to match a new sales strategy.
  • 2Import a daily file from a supplier to update stock levels for every product.
  • 3Send product data to several marketplaces like Amazon and Google Shopping in one go.
  • 4Add a new category or tag to hundreds of products in a specific collection.
  • 5Resize and watermark thousands of product images overnight for a new sales channel.

How WISEPIM Helps

  • Fast Data Updates: WISEPIM updates thousands of product details, prices, or stock levels at once. This keeps your data consistent and saves hours of manual work.
  • Automatic Channel Updates: The system groups product data and sends it to webshops and marketplaces automatically. This keeps all your sales channels up to date without extra effort.
  • Simple Data Transfers: WISEPIM moves large amounts of data between your ERP and other systems. It handles these transfers in batches to make importing and exporting faster.
  • Better Quality Checks: You can check and improve large groups of products at the same time. This ensures all bulk changes follow your quality rules before they go live.

Common Mistakes with Batch processing

  • Skipping data checks before a batch starts. This lets errors spread through the system and requires hours of manual cleanup.
  • Running large batch jobs during your busiest hours. This slows down the system and creates a poor experience for users.
  • Failing to set up error logs. Without these records, finding and fixing the cause of a failed batch is difficult and slow.
  • Processing important data too rarely. This leads to old product information and incorrect stock levels on your webshop.
  • Relying on people to start batch jobs manually. This often leads to human error, missed deadlines, and slow workflows.

Tips for Batch processing

  • Set up data validation rules to check information before it enters the system. This prevents incorrect data from slowing down or stopping the batch process.
  • Schedule batch jobs for times when website traffic is low, like late at night. This ensures the system stays fast and responsive for your customers.
  • Build clear error logs and alerts into every batch process. These tools help you spot issues quickly so you can fix them without losing data.
  • Use automation software to manage when batch jobs start and finish. Automation reduces the risk of human error and saves your team from doing repetitive manual work.
  • Separate your data into groups based on how often it needs to change. You can update price and stock levels frequently while processing larger files less often.

Trends Surrounding Batch processing

  • AI-driven optimization: Leveraging AI and machine learning to predict optimal batch schedules, identify data quality issues pre-processing, and enhance data transformation logic.
  • Increased automation and orchestration: Advanced tools for automating complex batch workflows, integrating them with broader enterprise automation and CI/CD platforms.
  • Cloud-native and serverless architectures: Migrating batch jobs to cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Batch, Google Cloud Dataflow) for enhanced scalability, cost efficiency, and reduced operational overhead.
  • Real-time data synchronization support for headless commerce: While batch processing is not real-time, it remains crucial for efficiently synchronizing large product datasets to various headless frontends and channels.
  • Focus on data observability: Implementing robust monitoring and alerting for batch jobs to ensure data integrity, performance, and timely completion.

Tools for Batch processing

  • WISEPIM: Essential for managing large-scale product data, supporting batch imports, exports, and updates across various e-commerce channels.
  • Akeneo: A leading PIM system that heavily relies on batch processing for efficient product data ingestion, enrichment, and distribution to diverse touchpoints.
  • Salsify: A PIM and Product Experience Management (PXM) platform that leverages batch processing for comprehensive product content syndication and data management.
  • Magento: An e-commerce platform offering robust built-in capabilities for batch importing and exporting product data, managing inventory, and processing orders.
  • Apache NiFi: An open-source tool designed for automating data flow between systems, often used for building complex and scalable batch data pipelines.

Related Terms

data syndicationproduct feeddata qualitydata ingestiondata orchestrationerror handlingimport validationdata manipulation

Also Known As

Bulk processingBatch jobNon-interactive processing