How often does Integration Fox sync my data?

One of the most common questions we get is how often does Integration Fox sync my data?

The short answer is that most integrations run a delta sync every 5 to 60 minutes. The longer answer is that sync timing depends on a few moving parts, and understanding them helps explain why a record sometimes appears in minutes and other times takes longer.

How syncing works

Integration Fox uses delta syncs. Rather than copying everything on every run, each sync picks up only the records that have been created or changed since the last successful run. This keeps load on your connected systems low and means changes flow through regularly without hammering the APIs of the platforms you rely on.

Each integration runs on its own schedule. Most are set between 5 and 60 minutes, chosen to suit the data involved and the limits of the systems at each end.

Why isn't it instant?

A fair question. Here's what sits between a change being made in one system and it appearing in the other:

Sync schedule. The delta sync has to run first. If your sync runs every 15 minutes and you change a record 30 seconds after a run finishes, that change waits for the next cycle.

Queue size. Changes are processed in order. If a large batch lands at once, say a bulk import or an end-of-month invoice run, records queue up and work through progressively. A single record change during a quiet period moves through much faster than one sitting behind thousands of others.

External API speed and availability. We can only move data as fast as the connected platforms accept it. Every SaaS platform enforces rate limits, and most slow down under load. If a platform is degraded or briefly unavailable, we back off and retry rather than lose your data. That's the right behaviour, but it does add time.

Record dependencies. Some records can't be created until related records exist and meet the rules of the destination system. An invoice might depend on a contact, which depends on a company record. If a parent record hasn't synced yet, or doesn't yet meet the creation rules, the dependent record waits until it can be created correctly rather than being pushed through incomplete.

Volume of changes for your account. The more records changing in your systems, the more work each sync cycle has to do. Timing naturally stretches during busy periods and tightens again when things settle.

What this means in practice

Most changes appear in the destination system within one to two sync cycles. Occasionally it takes longer, usually because of queue depth, an upstream platform slowdown, or a dependency that hasn't resolved yet.

We prioritise getting your data across correctly over getting it across instantly. A record that arrives complete and valid ten minutes later is worth more than one pushed through immediately with missing links or failed validation.

When to get in touch

If a record hasn't appeared after a few hours, or you're seeing a pattern of delays that affects how you work, raise a ticket with the record details and roughly when the change was made. We can check the queue and sync logs for your account and tell you exactly what's happening.

If your business genuinely needs a tighter sync interval for a particular integration, ask. Faster schedules are possible in many cases and we're happy to look at whether it makes sense for your setup.