Overview

This article covers everything from API basics to advanced automation workflows, that will help you break down data silos to create a unified business ecosystem.

1. Core Integration Methods

REST API Integration

iVendNext's REST API supports:

• CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete)

• OAuth 2.0 authentication

• Webhook subscriptions

# Example: Fetch sales orders

import requests

url = "https://yourdomain.ivendnext.com/api/resource/Sales%20Order"

headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer API_KEY"}

response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)

Common Use Cases:

• Sync customer data with CRM

• Push inventory updates to eCommerce platforms

• Pull accounting data into financial systems

Webhooks for Real-Time Updates

Configure webhooks to trigger actions when events occur:

• New sales order created

• Inventory level changes

• Customer record updates

// Sample webhook payload

{

  "event": "sales_order.submitted",

  "data": {

    "order_id": "SO-2023-00123",

    "customer_email": "client@example.com"

  }

}

2. Pre-Built Connectors

Popular Native Integrations

Middleware Options

For complex integrations:

• Celigo: Enterprise-grade iPaaS

• Workato: Recipe-based automation

• MuleSoft: API-led connectivity

3. Custom Integration Development

API Best Practices

1. Rate Limiting: Implement 100 calls/minute threshold

2. Error Handling: Retry logic for failed requests

3. Data Pagination: Process large datasets efficiently

# Pagination example

params = {

  "limit_start": 0,

  "limit_page_length": 100

}

Data Transformation

Use Python scripts or middleware to:

• Map different field names across systems

• Convert data formats (XML ↔ JSON)

• Handle currency/unit conversions

4. Business Process Automation

End-to-End Workflow Examples

1. eCommerce Order Fulfillment Shopify → iVendNext → Warehouse → Shipping Carrier

2. Procurement Automation Vendor Portal → iVendNext → Accounting System

3. CRM Sync iVendNext → Salesforce → Marketing Automation

Error Handling & Alerts

• Configure SMS/email notifications for failed syncs

• Implement automatic retry mechanisms

• Maintain detailed audit logs

5. Security & Compliance

Data Protection Measures

• IP Whitelisting: Restrict API access

• Field-Level Encryption: For sensitive data

• GDPR Compliance: Data processing agreements

Performance Optimization

• Schedule large syncs during off-peak hours

• Implement delta syncs (only changed data)

• Use webhooks instead of polling where possible

6. Troubleshooting Guide

Here’s a quick look at some common issues you might run into.

Common Issues & Solutions:

1. Authentication Errors → Verify API keys/tokens

2. Timeout Errors → Reduce payload size

3. Data Mismatches → Validate field mappings

Monitoring Tools:

• Built-in API dashboard

• New Relic integration

• Custom logging solutions