Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about Akeneo Exporter.
General Questions
New to Akeneo Exporter? This section covers fundamental questions about what the platform does, how it works, and whether it's the right solution for your needs. Understanding these basics will help you determine if Akeneo Exporter fits your data architecture and business requirements. These are the most common questions from users exploring the platform for the first time.
What is Akeneo Exporter?
Akeneo Exporter is a SaaS platform that exports product data from Akeneo PIM to your own database (MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL). It allows you to:
- Sync products from Akeneo to your database automatically
- Transform and enrich product data during export with custom rules
- Monitor exports in real-time with detailed progress tracking
- Maintain full ownership of your product data in your own infrastructure
Why do I need Akeneo Exporter?
Use Akeneo Exporter when you need to:
- Own your data: Keep product data in your own database for full control
- Build custom applications: Use product data in your own e-commerce, mobile app, or analytics tools
- Improve performance: Query products from your database instead of Akeneo API
- Add business logic: Enrich products with custom calculations, validations, and transformations
- Reduce API calls: Sync data periodically instead of calling Akeneo API on every request
Do you host my database?
No. Akeneo Exporter is a cloud SaaS that exports data TO your database, but you host and own your database yourself. This ensures:
- You maintain full ownership and control of your product data
- Your data stays in your infrastructure (compliance, security)
- No vendor lock-in - you can stop using Akeneo Exporter anytime
Setup & Configuration
Getting started with Akeneo Exporter involves connecting to both your Akeneo PIM instance and your target database. This section answers common questions about the initial setup process, compatibility requirements, and infrastructure configuration. These questions frequently arise during onboarding, so we've compiled the most important information to help you get up and running quickly and avoid common setup pitfalls.
How do I get started?
- Sign up for an SyncPim account
- Create a configuration with your Akeneo PIM credentials
- Connect to your MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL database
- Run your first export
See the Quick Start Guide for detailed instructions.
What Akeneo versions are supported?
Akeneo Exporter supports:
- Akeneo PIM 5.x, 6.x, 7.x
- Akeneo Cloud and self-hosted instances
- All Akeneo editions (Community, Growth, Enterprise)
What databases are supported?
- MongoDB: 4.4, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0
- PostgreSQL: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Both cloud-hosted (Atlas, RDS, Azure, GCP) and self-hosted instances are supported.
Do I need to whitelist Akeneo Exporter IPs?
Yes, for security. You need to whitelist our IPs in:
- Your database firewall (MongoDB Atlas Network Access, AWS Security Groups, etc.)
- Your Akeneo PIM firewall (if self-hosted and IP-restricted)
Exports & Performance
Export performance and behavior are critical to understanding how Akeneo Exporter operates in your workflow. This section addresses questions about export types, duration, scheduling, and best practices for optimizing your data sync strategy. Whether you're running your first export or optimizing regular updates, these answers will help you understand what to expect and how to configure exports for optimal performance and reliability.
What's the difference between Full and Incremental exports?
- Full Export: Exports ALL products matching your filters. Use for first-time setup or major changes.
- Incremental Export: Exports only products updated since last export. Use for regular updates (faster).
How long does an export take?
Export duration depends on:
- Number of products
- Number of enrichers applied
- Database location and performance
- Akeneo API rate limits
Typical durations:
- 1,000 products: 1-3 minutes
- 10,000 products: 10-20 minutes
- 50,000+ products: 30-60+ minutes
Can I run multiple exports simultaneously?
Yes, but with limitations:
- Different configurations can run in parallel
- Same configuration can only have one active export at a time
- Simultaneous exports may hit Akeneo API rate limits
Can I schedule automatic exports?
Yes. Scheduled exports are available on Pro and Enterprise plans. You can:
- Set up daily, hourly, or custom schedules
- Use Incremental mode for automatic updates
- Receive notifications when exports complete
Enrichers & Data Transformation
Enrichers are one of the most powerful features of Akeneo Exporter, allowing you to transform and enhance product data during the export process. However, they're also a common source of questions for new users. This section explains what enrichers can and cannot do, how they impact performance, and what limitations exist across different pricing plans. Understanding enrichers is key to unlocking the full potential of data transformation in your exports.
What are enrichers?
Enrichers are rules that transform your product data during export. They allow you to:
- Add calculated fields (e.g., discounted prices, margins)
- Apply business logic (e.g., mark items on sale, set visibility)
- Transform data formats (e.g., generate SKUs, format dates)
- Enrich with external data (coming soon)
How many enrichers can I create?
- Starter plan: Up to 5 enrichers
- Pro plan: Up to 50 enrichers
- Enterprise plan: Unlimited enrichers
Do enrichers slow down exports?
Enrichers add minimal overhead (typically <10% increase in export time). However:
- Complex enrichers with many conditions may slow exports
- Too many enrichers (20+) can impact performance
- Optimize by removing unnecessary enrichers
Can enrichers modify existing Akeneo data?
No. Enrichers only transform data DURING export. They:
- Never modify data in Akeneo PIM
- Only affect exported data in your database
- Are applied on-the-fly during export process
Data & Security
Data security and privacy are top concerns when integrating third-party tools with your product catalog. This section clarifies how Akeneo Exporter handles your data, what security measures are in place, and what happens to your information throughout the export lifecycle. We've designed our architecture with a "your data stays yours" philosophy, and these answers explain exactly how we maintain that commitment while providing a seamless export experience.
Is my data secure?
Yes. Security measures include:
- Encrypted transit: All data transfers use TLS 1.3
- No data storage: We don't store your product data (only metadata)
- Your database: Your data stays in your own infrastructure
- Credential encryption: Configuration credentials are encrypted at rest
- IP whitelisting: Optional IP restrictions for database access
Do you store my product data?
No. Akeneo Exporter:
- Fetches products from Akeneo API
- Applies enrichers in-memory
- Writes directly to YOUR database
- Does NOT store product data on our servers
We only store configuration metadata (Akeneo URL, database connection string, enricher definitions).
What happens to my data if I cancel my subscription?
- Your product data: Remains in YOUR database (we never delete it)
- Configurations: Retained for 30 days, then deleted
- Export history: Retained for 30 days, then deleted
Billing & Plans
Understanding plan features and billing policies helps you choose the right subscription tier for your needs. This section covers pricing plans, upgrade/downgrade options, and our refund policy. We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprise charges, so these answers provide clarity on what you'll pay and what flexibility you have as your needs evolve.
What's included in each plan?
See the Pricing page for detailed plan comparison.
Can I change plans?
Yes. You can:
- Upgrade anytime (immediate access to new features)
- Downgrade at end of billing period
- Cancel anytime (no lock-in contracts)
Support & Help
When you need help, knowing how to reach our team and what response times to expect is essential. This section outlines available support channels, response time commitments for each plan tier, and additional services we offer beyond standard support. Whether you need quick guidance on a configuration issue or custom development for complex integrations, these answers will point you in the right direction.
How do I get help?
- Documentation: Search our comprehensive docs
- Support: Contact form
- Live chat: Available on Pro and Enterprise plans
What's the support response time?
- Starter plan: 48 hours (email only)
- Pro plan: 24 hours (email + chat)
- Enterprise plan: 4 hours (priority support + dedicated account manager)
Do you offer custom development?
Yes. We offer custom development services for:
- Custom enrichers with complex business logic
- Integration with external systems (ERP, CRM, etc.)
- Data migration and onboarding assistance
- Custom reporting and analytics
Contact us for custom development inquiries.