You've created a great application that solves an important problem for your target customer base, and you'd like to integrate it with a Zoho product. Now, what's the next step? Check out the possibilities available for building efficient integrations. The objective of this blog post is to help you understand what building an integration with Sigma and REST APIs means, and the difference between the two.
In this blog post, we’ll explore:
⁕ The various platforms offered by Zoho to build integrations and custom solutions
⁕ How Sigma can help you build an extension
⁕ How REST APIs can help you build integrations
⁕ The difference between building an extension with Sigma and integrating with Zoho products using REST APIs
Let's get started!
What are the various platforms offered by Zoho to build integrations and custom solutions?
Whether you’d like to create native or third-party integrations, Zoho offers several developer-friendly options. These include Zoho Flow, Sigma, Phonebridge, Creator, Catalyst, and Zoho's REST APIs. In this blog post, we’ll look into building integrations with Sigma and REST APIs.
(Click here to check the type and depth of your integration, along with the required coding proficiency for choosing the developer tool that best suits your requirements from those offered by Zoho.)
How Sigma can help you build an extension
Sigma is an extension development platform where developers can build extensions for various Zoho applications. These extensions can be software add-ons focusing on feature enhancements, third-party integrations, or any other valuable additions. Users can install these extensions, which are listed on Zoho Marketplace, once they’re ready.
Sigma lets you build native extensions that can extend the capabilities of Zoho products' by including automation and customization components. Sigma also allows you to build extensions in which third-party apps are integrated with Zoho apps to create a seamless flow of data between the apps.
You can create your own unique workspace in Sigma to manage your extensions and invite multiple developers to collaborate during extension development. Sigma supports embeddable widget creation for applications like Zoho CRM, Creator, and other Zoho products. The default and custom connections available in Sigma allow you to connect with different applications easily.
The Sigma platform provides a unique installation URL for every extension that’s built, and these installation URLs can be provided to users as installable components for the specific Zoho products.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to build your extension using Sigma.
How REST APIs can help you build integrations
Zoho gives you the option to build integrations for Zoho applications using your own developing environment or platform. You can access the REST APIs of most Zoho products publicly and use them to develop efficient integrations. The APIs handle data in JSON format, making it easier for you to operate on it.
Zoho APIs use the OAuth2.0 protocol for authentication. This allows you to get access to the required data in Zoho via the APIs with proper implementation of the authorization process. You can learn more about Zoho authorization from this link. Get access to Zoho REST APIs from here.
The difference between building an extension with Sigma and integrating with Zoho products using REST APIs
In Sigma, you’re provided with tools in the form of features to handle the authorization mechanism between Zoho and other third-party applications. The extension is built within the Zoho ecosystem, allowing you to use automation and customization components to implement your use case.
In the case of REST APIs, the developer or partner organization has to ensure the authorization mechanism meets the standards required for the integrations to be listed on Zoho Marketplace. This is often checked during the technical review process.
You can install the extensions for Zoho products in Sigma directly from Zoho Marketplace, but integrations built through REST APIs will require you to visit the third-party application's website.
We hope you found this blog post useful in your quest to build extensions with our products.
Happy coding!
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