An API displays data, which means that you can retrieve data from the system via the API and in many cases you can also create data via the API, such as products, orders, etc.
Hate is an API?
API means “Application Program Interface” and is there the way 2 programs “talk to each other”.
An API displays data, which means that you can retrieve data from the system via the API and in many cases you can also create data via the API, such as products, orders, etc.
For example, if you want to make an integration between your webshop and your financial system, where orders created in your webshop are automatically transferred to your financial system, this is often done via 2 APIs: the API in your webshop and the API in your financial system.
APIs are different, but fortunately there are some standards that are used. REST, SOAP, GraphQL etc. For example, E-conomic has for many years used SOAP, which was to be used if you want to exchange information via the API, but has now switched to using the REST API instead, as it is easier and faster to integrate with. Modern APIs use REST or GraphQL as their engine, which is easier for many developers to use, and they each have some advantages.
OpenDIMS and our API
In OpenDIMS, we have chosen to use GraphQL for the exchange of data – as our communication channel, which means that you create e.g. products via the API in OpenDIMS, then OpenDIMS does it via GraphQL, but not for the public. If you want to import or export data and products from OpenDIMS, you still need to do so via the Integration Apps available in OpenDIMS, such as XML, CSV, JSON or via the Apps that are enabled (e.g. Dandomain).
In the planned Roadmap for OpenDIMS v.5, it has been decided that we will start the development of REST endpoints for selected functions in OpenDIMS. Roadmaps for the different versions can be found on the website.
Use the already existing integrations.
In order for you to reach the goal of your project of transferring e.g. orders from your webshop to your financial system, you need to use OpenDIMS to “talk to the APIs”. OpenDIMS retrieves orders from the webshop and transfers them to the financial system without you having to do anything. OpenDIMS can also keep an eye on whether track and trace codes have been added to an order in the financial system and then send it on to the webshop so that the customer can get information about how far the package has come.
OpenDIMS solves a simple but manual task with, for example, handling orders and products and at the same time ensuring that there are no typing errors or other human errors on orders. Light, fast and elegant.
