# Targeted syncs - best practice

## Introduction

Most endpoints have a unique [variable](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/developer-hub/connector-builder/building-your-own-connector/4-endpoints/endpoint-options/endpoint-variables) or [parameter](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/developer-hub/connector-builder/building-your-own-connector/3-authentication-methods/authentication-method-options/url-parameters#using-url-parameters-in-authentication-requests) used to target a specific entity (for example, `order_id`, `customer_id`, `product_id`, etc.). When these are defined, you can enter required values at runtime to target a specific item - for example:

<figure><img src="https://2440044887-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FLYNcUBVQwSkOMG6KjZfz%2Fuploads%2FgnLPC6IRD2l1C9dyXJ1P%2Fretrieve%20specific%20product%201.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5e4f4b74-ce5f-412d-9ff9-49279f262cf9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Here, our flow is built to use a connector endpoint (`retrieve specific product`) that includes a unique variable named `ref`. When we access connector settings, this variable is surfaced so users can enter a value to target when the process flow runs.

## Recommendation

When building process flows, we recommend building an alternative version which allows users to specify such an identifier in connector settings, so single items can be processed most efficiently in the event of a sync issue - for example:

<figure><img src="https://2440044887-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FLYNcUBVQwSkOMG6KjZfz%2Fuploads%2FGAFLU8GoNr8iqCLwc6os%2Ftargeted%20sync%20example.png?alt=media&#x26;token=562b2d01-3d68-410e-b026-e05113ed5f49" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Related pages

* [Endpoint variables](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/developer-hub/connector-builder/building-your-own-connector/4-endpoints/endpoint-options/endpoint-variables)
* [Endpoint parameters](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/developer-hub/connector-builder/building-your-own-connector/4-endpoints/endpoint-options/url#endpoint-parameters)