How do you stay on top of all the third-party API integrations?
Do you have any special process to keep track of (changes in) third-party APIs you integrate with i.e. functionality you integrated, versioning, metrics etc
Currently what I've learned about is using a simple spreadsheet that lists:
-Functionality as headings
-All partners on the left-hand side of the spreadsheet
-Versions of the API they've integrated with
-Nuances
-Date of integration + contacts involved
-Environment details
-Etc
And I'm starting to loose my mind 🤯
I try not to integrate with APIs unless I have to! But if I am integrating, some level of exemption handling in the code, like sending myself an email if the API breaks especially if it's not a big name API, is probably quite advisable!
This is the correct answer ☝️
That's a good point in terms of monitoring @mark_b1234, do you use any tool for managing exceptions? Sentry?
Um, no. Inbuilt functions of the language. For example, in PHP there's the try{} and catch{} blocks that I would use. Is there value-add from 3rd party exemption managing tools? I don't understand their point, do they just log the errors nicer or is there some killer-feature I'm unaware of? (Like auto-fixing the problem lol.)
I am planning to outsource the maintenance of the integrations, as it is really not the core nor the fun part. Maybe it is even worth to build some new integrations with this method.
Who would you outsource it to @GarryMe?
I would go with Upwork or Fiverr.
Gotya @GarryMe 🙏
That's a real pain point — and definitely an opportunity for one of us here!
Thanks @_justlilian 🙏
Keeping up with integrations is one of the hardest things if you have a large integrated app.
At my last company we managed hundreds of integrations and we had a whole team dedicated to it.
Honestly don't know of a better way than you have. Feels like there could be a product here but not sure.
Thanks @joshdance 🙏
My way : in general, all have a github repo, so I subscribed to the github "watch" notification alert system
It sounds like you're using WAY too many 3rd party APIs. Mine are Stripe and and my email provider. That's it.
This is due to offering integrations / functionality from third-parties i.e. reporting etc API-led connectivity is the name of the game for me @SquishyCoder
I usually always sign up for their Dev newsletter so I'm informed of any updates or changes I need to be aware of.
Though I try to keep it to a minimum as support can be dropped at any moment for third-party APIs 🙌
That's a good strategy @phillipstemann 💪
There are a few ways to stay on top of third-party API integrations. Integrating with the status portal enables opportunities both within the workspace and outside it. The blog provides an ongoing dialogue people can join, as well as structured RSS feeds personalized for their needs. This applies not only to software integrations but to blog articles, social media posts, and other content that aligns with its purpose that cultivating thought leadership!
Yes, I think there is a bunch of tactics that could supplement the monitoring of changes, I will definitely look into some RSS feeds, and status pages to connect! Thanks @secureslate 🙏
There is a platform called Paragon (https://www.useparagon.com/) that abstracts the APIs of a bunch of apps and manages the connections to the APIs for you.
You build all your integrations on their platform in a low/no-code builder (you can still write code and customize further if you want to), and when any of the third-party APIs change, they make the update on their end, so you don't have to change anything.
It's white-labeled and handles auth too!
Thanks @weyered, there is also https://tray.io, https://make.com and https://workato.com, they all handle the integrations, I think I'm looking for more of a integrations accounting process tool, to keep track what's what, rather than a no/low code all-in-one solution 🤔
Gotcha. Not sure if the other tools have this, but Paragon also has a pretty cool monitoring tool to view all the integrations in one place, replay executions, view how customers are using them etc. https://www.useparagon.com/monitoring
It's almost like an "integrations CRM" to keep track of everything on one platform
Thanks @weyered, I will give it another go, and "integrations CRM" is what I'm looking for!
great method
Thanks @areadboost 🙏
Great! A product idea for Indiehackers developers! great SaaS business material!
Built Engagespot.co to solve this issue with integrating multiple notification APIs (like SES, Sendgrid, FCM, SMS, Slack etc)
👋 @anandrmedia, would this be to notify or changes in the APIs?
Thanks @vikpc27 🙏
It's just a day-to-day routine: build them, wait for them to break, fix them. Attempting to stay completely on top of these things is silly. A provider can change anything without warning and they frequently do, but that's just software in general.
Thanks @bennyjamins 🙏
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