Before we understand how connectors work, let’s cover some essential concepts.
What is an API?
The acronym API comes from the expression Application Programming Interface. An API is created when a software company intends for other software developers to develop products associated with its service. Following this scenario, BIMachine uses third-party APIs to create the data integrations, i.e. our "Connectors".
What are Endpoints?
In this context, we can define an API’s Endpoint as a specific set of data made available by the Software, that is, an API can have several distinct sets of information. In a practical example, imagine you have a spreadsheet with all the information from the Commercial area, in this same spreadsheet you have different tabs with your Billing data, Customers, Products, Goals, etc. Thus, your spreadsheet as a whole would be the API and your tabs that segment this information are the Endpoints.
How is the integration with BIMachine done?
Bearing in mind the basic concepts of API and Endpoints, BIMachine will only intermediate the integration of this information with the platform, with the possibility of collecting only the data made available by these third parties, with no guarantee of integrity, reliability or legitimacy of the information, which is the responsibility of the software that creates the API and also of the user who launches this information through the system. In summary, our function will be to create shortcuts in the platform so that the user can consume the data made available via API / Endpoints by third parties.