Flat-File Integration vs. API Integration
A flat-file transfer is a technology for transferring sets of data from a software program for a selected date range or a number of records via a flat CSV file or another allowable file format. Flat file integration can near real time integration with schedules set up to run every 5 minutes or so but it is not considered a real time integration.
Flat-file integration works exceptionally well for periodic bulk data transfers. Flat-file transfers require more verification to be sure that the data transfer worked properly, the data is complete, and the information is accurate. Security may not be as strong as API security. But you can use SFTP for better flat-file security than just FTP.
API, with its software system to software system Internet communication, is the preferable approach when you need real-time shared data through an API file feed.
What is API Integration with Cloud Applications?
An API (application programming interface) provides a real-time and secure data connection from one Internet-based software system to another cloud based software system.
API integration is a good substitute for EDI, which is an old standard that works with specific parties established through agreements. While legacy systems may continue to use EDI, newer companies will benefit from lower-cost API that allows them to share data in real-time. EDI works with flat files.
Xorosoft supports API integration with third parties.
What is a Flat-File Transfer?
In a flat-file transfer, requested and specified data files are imported from the accounting (or other) software program as a CSV file or another allowable data file format. CSV is a comma-separated values file because a comma separates data from each field. The tab-separated file is another type of flat-file. Other file formats include XML, JSON, and HTML. You may need to convert some of these file formats to CSV with a complex file reader.
CSV files are text-based data files. You can choose to save them as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets or Google Sheets.
Xorosoft allows users to make flat-file CSV transfers using either SFTP (secure file transfer protocol) or FTP (file transfer protocol).
Data files transferred using flat-file integration can be tricky if errors occur during data transmission. Therefore, you need to be sure there is a validation process for the data received or transferred via flat-file integration. Xorosoft’s job schedule center solves this problem and serves as a control mechanism to validate, receive and send CSV files.
