The eTran Manager® fleet management system has powerful means of data exchange with other information systems (e.g. financial and accounting, GPS and ERP) operating at the customer and its counterparties (e.g. suppliers of fuel and lubricants, car repair shops , spare parts and services).
The easiest and most convenient way to do this is through an automated direct exchange of information through a standardized API (Application Programming Interface). It is an application programming interface that allows different information systems to communicate with each other. An API defines the ways in which programs can interact by providing predefined methods and protocols for data exchange. This can include sending and receiving data, as well as various operations such as requests to retrieve, add, update or delete information.
Plan C Ltd. implemented a new REST API interface for automated data exchange with other information systems that support such exchange.
Advantages of using API to exchange data between different information systems
- Easier data exchange: The API facilitates the exchange of data between systems by standardizing communication and removing the need for specific transformations. This makes the data easily accessible and easy to process for different platforms and applications. High qualification and special knowledge are not required from users of the systems, everything is done quickly and easily for users.
- Improved integration and automation: Using APIs, systems can be integrated into a complete ecosystem where data is automatically shared and updated in real time. This results in better synchronization and less manual data entry, greatly reducing the possibility of errors.
- Flexibility and scalability: The API allows developers to add or remove functionality without significantly impacting the underlying system. This makes it convenient for dynamic expansion without the need for major architecture changes.
- Reliability and security: APIs often include security protocols such as authentication, encryption, and access control that ensure security when exchanging sensitive data. Additionally, standard security APIs allow you to control who has access to various functions and data, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Accelerated development and support: When different systems use APIs to communicate, developers can focus on creating specific features for their applications, rather than developing and maintaining custom data exchange solutions. This significantly speeds up the development process and reduces the time and resources required for maintenance.
The API provides an efficient, flexible and secure way to exchange data, resulting in better integration between systems, increased productivity and reduced operating costs.
The REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface) is implemented in the eTran Manager® fleet management system.
Key features of the REST API
- The REST API works through HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, DELETE and other methods that allow various types of operations on resources. For example, GET is used to retrieve data, POST to create new resources, PUT to update existing resources, and DELETE to delete them. Each resource in the REST API is represented by a unique URL that identifies the resources and allows access to them.
- The REST API is also stateless, which means that each HTTP request is independent and contains all the necessary information for its processing. This makes the REST API more reliable and scalable because the server does not need to store client state information between requests.
- In the new version of the system for efficient fleet management isTran Manager® 4.3 in used .NET library for easy creation of RestSharp HTTP clients. It is a versatile tool for building clients for REST APIs, providing the necessary methods for a variety of HTTP requests and manipulations.
- RestSharp allows developers to integrate their applications with APIs using the basic HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) as well as additional features for flexibility.
Some basic types of REST APIs that can be implemented with RestSharp
- CRUD API (Create, Read, Update, Delete)
RestSharp is particularly well-suited for working with CRUD APIs because it supports all the basic HTTP methods that allow performing CRUD operations on resources. Through the AddJsonBody, AddParameter, and AddHeader methods, RestSharp makes it easy to send data in various formats (JSON, XML), making it suitable for typical CRUD operations. - RESTful APIs
RestSharp was developed specifically to work with RESTful API services and allows the creation of API requests using the basic REST principles. Because RestSharp supports statelessness, it is suitable for building stable and scalable clients for RESTful APIs.
