If you’ve heard of Sage Intacct, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about the Open API technology too.
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules or protocols that enables software applications to communicate and exchange data. When an API is open, it means it’s publicly accessible to developers, so integrations can be built with just about any software.
If you’d like to get a deeper understanding of the Sage Intacct Open API, without all the technical jargon – keep reading.
What is the Sage Intacct Open API?
The Sage Intacct Open API is a framework which enables external programs to access data held within Sage Intacct and perform various actions.
There are 2 primary methods of integration using the API:
1. Custom Web Services Integrations
For systems that don’t already have a pre-built integration, such as bespoke systems, you may need a custom integration. This approach offers the most flexibility but requires more technical expertise.
2. Pre-Built Integrations
These are ready-made connectors for popular systems like CRMs, payroll, expenses, ecommerce platforms and more. Installation is faster and requires very little technical knowledge, as they’re already configured to sync the right data fields.
How Does the Open API Work?
Sage Intacct has touchpoints built into the system, which have defined rules and protocols for how information should be taken in and out of the system.
Each system’s touchpoints are mapped between the two solutions, which is what allows the systems to communicate and interchange data for the integration.
There are over 300 web services to choose from, which perform different actions in Sage Intacct, such as creating suppliers, posting invoices or generating reports.
What the process looks like:
1. Third-party application sends request to API
2. API calls web service to complete action
3. Data flows between the systems via touchpoints
Technical Information for Developers
The API is based on structured XML-RPC. Requests are constructed in XML, and responses can be returned in XML, JSON or CSV. There are also several SDKs for different programming languages.
Find out more about the API on the developer website.
How Secure is Sage Intacct’s API?
The API has been built with security in mind, and there are several security measures in place to keep your data and systems secure.
A few of the safeguards in place include:
- Sender credentials are required to create calls
- User permissions are fully controlled by you
- Only whitelisted sources can make API calls
- Access is limited to only necessary data and tasks
- Follows your workflow, security and validation rules
- Requests are continuously logged and monitored
The REST API also supports versioning, meaning that your integrations won’t break when there are software updates.
Benefits of Open API Integrations
Using the Open API allows data to synchronise between all your systems, allowing the whole business to work together from the same information. For example, the sales team can access customer payment history anytime.
As the data sharing process is completely automatic, you no longer need to worry about file imports and manual data entry.
More benefits of integration:
- Keeps systems up to date
- Ensures consistency across systems
- Reduces human error
- Saves huge amounts of time
- Improves collaboration
What sets Sage Intacct’s Open API apart from other APIs is the built-in security measures, versioning and the availability, as any developer can build the integration for you, with your permission.
Need Help with Sage Intacct Integrations?
Sage Intacct’s Open API gives you the flexibility to create your own software ecosystem with the best solutions for your needs. That means no more being locked into one solution or having multiple separate systems.
If you’re wondering whether you can integrate one of your systems with Sage Intacct, we can get the answers for you. We have a team of dedicated Sage Intacct Consultants and Developers who can help you with integrations, whether they’re pre-built or bespoke. Contact us for more information.
