Integrations allows data to be shared between systems and enables users to access information from a single source. Integration is key for businesses that are looking to streamline their processes and increase efficiency.
Integrations can be accomplished through APIs or webhooks. APIs allow you to send requests to an external system in order to retrieve data or make changes.
Webhooks, on the other hand, allow you to receive a notification from the provider if something has changed in the user's account. This is the best approach to SaaS integrations if you are looking to keep your software in sync with your users' data almost instantly.
Let’s take a look at how you can enable Quickbooks webhooks in your SaaS for your connected users.
TL;DR: Want to look at the step by step guide and enable Quickbooks webhook in your app rightaway? Find it here.
The Required Elements + Build vs. Buy Argument
In order to enable webhooks in your application, you will need the build and setup the following framework/elements:
- OAuth Process: This is the authentication layer that handles the auth between your application and your users account
- Webhook Process: Each provider has their own requirement for webhooks and how they expect the request to come through. The webhook process will need to handle the authentication, app credentials and most importantly, a callback URL that listens for incoming events
- Data Processing/Injestion: After the provider sends the notification to the callback URL, you need to capture the data sent and process it to either fit your requirement or like in some cases, make an API call to the provider to get additional information.
So, can this be built? Absolutely!
But building a solution like this would take time and resources. More importantly, for every provider you wish to add webhook integrations for, the process would need to be repeated since all providers do not follow the same format. Which means - longer time to go live.
This is where Pathfix’s integration products would help save you time and get your webhook integrations go-live faster.
The OAuth Process
Before proceeding with setting up your webhooks, you need to get your authentication in place. This is done using Pathfix’s OAuth platform.
Once you have created your app in Quickbooks developer, the only step you will need to do is add your ClientID and ClientSecret in Pathfix OAuth to enable your platforms authentication to Quickbooks. This entire oauth setup process is done in less than 2 minutes.
Your SaaS integration page will look like this, allowing your users to click-to-connect their Quickbooks account:
The Quickbooks Setup
The webhooks setup in Quickbooks developer is pretty straightforward.
Once you have setup your Quickbooks developer app and have enabled your OAuth process, you will need to go to the Webhooks section and add the Endpoint URL. This URL is where Quickbooks will send a notification if there is any change or update to the connected Quickbooks account.
An Endpoint URL is generated using the Webhooks module in Pathfix Automation.
The Webhooks Process
Pathfix Automation’s webhook module, along with it’s workflow based API integration module, handles the entire webhooks process as well as data collection and processing.
The webhook setup requires no coding, the entire configuration is done in less than a few minutes:
A workflow created will handle incoming data from the webhook and process it as per your apps needs for each connected user:
Now, every user that clicks-to-connect their Quickbooks account will automatically be subscribed to the webhook. Any new data point triggered by Quickbooks webhook, will now be processed and sent back to you - almost instantly.
Allowing you to call any API, including the API for your app:
Step by Step Guide
Ready to build out your Quickbooks webhook integration in your app? Here is the link to our step-by-step guide on how you can add the OAuth, configure the Quickbooks webhook and enable webhook listening - Get Started
If at any point you need any assistance, reach out to us at support@pathfix.com or ping us on our live chat through your Pathfix dashboard.