Errors happen with any integration. It might be a missing SKU, a system update, or just someone on the client side pressing the wrong button. The real win is not pretending errors will never happen, it’s spotting them fast and fixing them before they touch the customer experience.
That is why Patchworks gives you two powerful tools. Error reporting, so you know exactly where a flow tripped up. Track Data, so you can search by order number, customer ID or SKU and see when, how and why it was processed. Together, they turn integration from a guessing game into a controllable process.
Why Error Reporting Matters
Here’s the truth. As a service provider, we are happy to monitor logs and keep an eye on flows. The challenge for agencies like ourselves is convincing a client that learning how to monitor and fix internally or having an agency worry about errors on their behalf has real value. Too many people think integrations are “set and forget.” They never are. Integrations need care, because your business keeps changing and so do the systems you connect to.
The positive side is clear. Training your internal teams to monitor or paying for proactive monitoring is cheaper than firefighting when orders fail silently or stock does not sync. A partner who is watching the flows saves you time, protects your customer experience, and ultimately keeps revenue flowing. That is why error reporting and Track Data matter.
What the Track Data Shape Does
The Track Data shape lets you track values as they move through flows, creating an instant audit trail. You choose the fields you want to follow, like customer IDs, order numbers or SKUs. Every time data passes through, those values are recorded and stored for 15 days.
Why it works:
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You can confirm an order left Shopify and landed in Business Central.
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You can prove why a customer record failed due to duplicate emails.
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You can track SKUs or line items and spot gaps before they hit your warehouse.
Even better, Track Data does not stop at success only. You can set filters and messages to flag failures, so you can see not just what worked but also what needs fixing.
Best Practice for Using Track Data
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Track at key points. Place shapes at the start and end of flows to capture what was received and what was delivered.
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Pick strong identifiers. Use order numbers, customer IDs or SKUs so you can search fast later.
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Batch wisely. Patchworks supports payloads up to 500MB, but smaller payloads are more efficient. Use Flow Control to break large jobs down.
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Add success criteria. Define filters that decide whether a record shows as success or fail, and write clear messages that explain why.
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Use custom values. Track variables or metadata like filenames and timestamps when you need more context.
Viewing Results in the Tracked Data Page
All the data you track shows up in the Tracked Data page. This is where you go when a client asks “what happened to my order.”
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Data updates every 10 minutes.
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You can search by entity type and value.
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Only the latest 15 entries are shown for each entity, which keeps the view clean.
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Each summary tells you the flow direction, date and time, whether it was marked success or fail, and the message you set.
It’s simple, fast, and the easiest way to give a client or internal team a straight answer.
Practical Benefits
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Faster debugging. No more digging through logs.
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Operational transparency. Clients see the evidence without the noise.
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Lower support load. Issues get resolved without endless escalation.
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A clear audit trail. Short term history of exactly what went through your flows.
The Cogent2 Difference
Our team helped build Patchworks and we have been working with it for more than a decade. We have integrated global names like, Lounge, Castore and Formula 1 teams. That experience means we don’t just build flows. We design them with visibility, efficiency and cost control at the core.
By combining error reporting with the Track Data shape, we give clients integrations that are easier to monitor, easier to fix, and far better for long term growth.
👉 Want to stop firefighting and start controlling your integrations? Cogent2’s consultants can help you design flows with proper error reporting, Track Data built in, and a monitoring plan that keeps your business moving.
