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Version: 8.1

Integration tools overview

Level: beginner

Integration is data exchange between systems with or without subsequent data processing. The purpose of integration is to transfer custom data automatically between apps.

Creatio has a wide range of integrations with external apps. Creatio's open API lets you implement integration solutions of any complexity.

Creatio has the following ways to integrate:

  • Integration of external apps with Creatio.
  • Creatio integration with external apps.

The choice of the integration method depends on the following features:

  • client needs
  • external app type and architecture
  • developer expertise level

Integration of external apps with Creatio​

The integration of external apps with Creatio solves the following problems:

  • execute CRUD operations with Creatio objects
  • launch business processes
  • implement custom tasks that you can solve using Creatio's open API

We recommend using multithreaded integration to maximize Creatio throughput. Learn more in a separate article: Integration options.

Data services​

The purpose of data services is to execute CRUD operations with Creatio objects. Learn more in separate articles: Access data directly, Data access through ORM.

Creatio lets you use the following data services:

  • OData protocol
  • DataService service

OData protocol​

OData (Open Data Protocol) is an ISO/IEC-approved OASIS standard. It defines a set of best practices for building and using REST API. Use OData to create REST-based services that let you publish and edit resources using simple HTTP requests. Such resources should be identified with a URL and defined in the data model. Learn more in a separate article: OData.

Creatio supports OData 4 and OData 3 protocols. OData 4 has more features than OData 3. The main difference between the protocols is the data format of the server's response. Learn more about the differences between OData 3 and OData 4 protocols in the official OData documentation. Use the protocol version 4 when you integrate with Creatio via the OData protocol.

Learn more about the detailed protocol description in the official OData documentation.

DataService service​

DataService (developed by Creatio) is a service that implements communication between front-end and back-end app parts. DataService lets you transfer custom data to back-end app part to be processed and saved to a database. Learn more in a separate article: DataService.

Service that runs business processes​

Use the ProcessEngineService.svc system web service to run business processes from an external app. Learn more in a separate article: Service that runs business processes.

Custom web service​

Users can create custom web services to solve integration problems. The configuration web service is RESTful service based on WCF technology. Learn more in a separate article: Custom web services.

Creatio integration with external apps​

Use app tools to combine different enterprise apps into a single digital ecosystem. When you integrate Creatio with external apps, you can develop a custom solution or use an out-of-the-box integration solution.

Develop custom integration solution​

Use app tools to set up integration with a custom RESTful API. You can call a web service from a business process after you set up the integration. Use REST API tools to interact with external web services with no developer involvement.

Use out-of-the-box integration solution​

View the out-of-the-box integration solutions Creatio implements below.

Creatio implements out-of-the-box integration solutions with the following apps:

See also​

Authentication

Service that runs business processes

DataService

OData

Resources​

Tech Hour - Integrate like a boss

E-learning courses​

Integrations. Calling external web-services from the program code

Data integration. Working with OData/DataService