How CIEL Book Distribution Automated 26M+ Amazon Records Using EDI2XML API Integration

Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Tatyana Vandich

About CIEL Book Distribution

CIEL Book Distribution is one of the leading book distributors in the Middle East, with operations based in Dubai (UAE) and Beirut (Lebanon). The company supplies books to bookstores, educational institutions, and online retailers, offering a vast catalog of titles across multiple languages and genres.

To meet the demands of a growing digital marketplace, CIEL relies heavily on Amazon Seller Central to reach global customers. With over 26 million bibliographic records in its master database, the company needed a scalable, automated solution to manage product listings, inventory updates, and pricing — without relying on manual uploads.

The Challenge: Manual Inventory Updates on Amazon Seller Central

Before automation, CIEL’s team manually uploaded inventory and product data to Amazon Seller Central up to six times per day. This process involved:

Handling daily delta files of 500,000 to 1 million records

Navigating Amazon’s Selling Partner API (SP-API) limitations — only 10,000 items per feed, with a two-minute interval between submissions

Spending over 48 hours to complete full synchronizations

While the process technically worked, it was time-consuming, error-prone, and unsustainable as the catalog continued to grow.

Manual uploads were slowing down operations and increasing the risk of data inconsistencies.

The Solution: EDI2XML Amazon API Integration Services

CIEL partnered with EDI2XML, to design and implement a fully automated integration with Amazon Seller Central.

With over 25 years of experience in system integration and EDI automation, EDI2XML specializes in connecting business systems, eCommerce platforms, and cloud applications using APIs and EDI technologies.

“It was the first API integration project in our company — a real challenge,” said Tony Akiki, Software Development & Consultancy at CIEL Book Distribution. “With EDI2XML’s support, we succeeded. Everything is now fully automated — no more manual uploads.”

How EDI2XML Solved the Problem

1. Automated Delta Feeds

CIEL’s system now prepares daily delta files and transmits them to Amazon via API. Each file contains 500K–1M updated records.

2. SP-API Integration

EDI2XML built a robust integration layer that communicates directly with Amazon’s SP-API. The system respects all throughput limits, sending batches of 10,000 records every two minutes to maintain compliance and performance.

3. Proof of Concept and Testing

EDI2XML provided Swagger-based API access for testing. CIEL validated the integration using one seller account before moving to full subscription.

4. Scalable Architecture

The current setup supports one Amazon seller account, but it’s designed to scale across nine accounts. It can also be extended to Amazon Vendor Central, providing a foundation for future expansion.

5. Continuous Support and Collaboration

Throughout the project, EDI2XML provided hands-on technical support, close collaboration, and troubleshooting. This helped CIEL’s internal team build confidence in API workflows and integration best practices.

Results Achieved

After implementing the EDI2XML Amazon Integration, CIEL saw immediate improvements:

• Manual uploads eliminated — saving hours of daily work
• Faster, error-free inventory updates
• Real-time product availability on Amazon
• Scalable infrastructure ready for future growth
• Technical foundation for full digital transformation

“We are very thankful to Pierre and the EDI2XML team,” Tony said. “This project made a big difference for our company.”

What’s Next for CIEL?

According to Tony Akiki, the current setup represents just a small part of the full vision. Upcoming phases include:

• Scaling integration to all nine Amazon seller accounts
• Expanding automation to Amazon Vendor Central
• Improving throughput and synchronization speed
• Adding validation with publisher lists to ensure only eligible titles are published

What Is Amazon Seller Central API Integration? (Explained)

Amazon Seller Central Integration allows businesses to connect their internal systems directly with Amazon using APIs. Instead of manually uploading spreadsheets, the integration automatically sends and receives data such as:

Inventory quantities

Product prices and metadata

Orders and fulfillment status

This kind of automation reduces manual effort, minimizes human error, and helps businesses operate efficiently — even with large volumes of data.

Key Takeaways from CIEL’s Automation Journey

• Automation replaces repetitive manual work CIEL now updates Amazon automatically, freeing staff to focus on strategic tasks.
• APIs can handle massive data — when configured correctly With careful batching and scheduling, even 26 million records can be synchronized reliably.
• Start small, scale smart Testing one seller account first ensured a smooth rollout and reduced risk.
• Partnership matters The close collaboration between CIEL’s IT team and EDI2XML specialists ensured project success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a delta file in this context?

A delta file contains only the changes (new, modified, or deleted items) since the last synchronization. This approach keeps updates fast and efficient.

Why does Amazon limit batch sizes to 10,000 records?

To maintain system performance and reliability, Amazon enforces rate limits. Integrations like EDI2XML manage these limits intelligently to ensure data is delivered on time.

Can this solution work for other eCommerce platforms?

Yes. EDI2XML’s API framework can integrate with various marketplaces and ERP systems, not only Amazon but also Shopify, WooCommerce, and others.

How long does it take to implement such an integration?

Implementation timelines vary based on complexity, but CIEL’s proof of concept was completed within weeks.

Is this solution secure?

Yes. EDI2XML follows best practices for API security, including authentication, encryption, and data validation.

About EDI2XML

EDI2XML, a sister company of Namtek Consulting Services, provides fully managed EDI and API integration services. With over 25 years of experience in system integration, the team helps businesses automate data exchange between internal systems, trading partners, and cloud applications.

Whether it’s Amazon SP-API, Shopify API, or EDI X12 transactions, EDI2XML ensures seamless, secure, and scalable integration – so your business stays connected and efficient.

Ready to Automate Your Amazon Operations?

Whether you manage one seller account or multiple, EDI2XML can help you:

• Automate data updates
• Improve accuracy
• Scale confidently

Contact us today to learn how our Amazon API Integration Services can streamline your business operations and accelerate your digital transformation.

Tatyana Vandich

Tatyana Vandich is a marketing professional specializing in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), X12 and EDIFACT standards, B2B integration, and supply chain automation. With a deep understanding of these technologies, she creates insightful content and resources that help business leaders and operations managers understand complex EDI processes and trends in digital transformation. Through the EDI2XML blog, Tatyana shares practical guidance, best practices, and industry insights, making it easier for organizations to navigate EDI, supply chain automation, and B2B integration. Her work is focused on delivering clear, reliable, and actionable information for professionals looking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

See Full Bio

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) EDI X12 Standard EDIFACT Standard B2B Integration Digital Transformation in Business Supply Chain Automation