API Overview
Document Automation provides comprehensive API capabilities for integration with external systems and custom development scenarios.
Integration Architecture
API Types
Business Central APIs: - Standard Business Central web services - Custom API pages for Document Automation entities - Event-driven integration hooks - Real-time data synchronization
External Service APIs: - OCR service integration endpoints - Email service connectivity (Microsoft Graph, IMAP) - Document storage and retrieval APIs - Third-party system integration points
Authentication Methods
Business Central Authentication: - OAuth 2.0 for cloud-based integrations - API key authentication for service-to-service communication - Certificate-based authentication for high-security scenarios - Integrated Windows authentication for on-premise systems
External Service Authentication: - Service-specific authentication mechanisms - Token-based authentication and refresh procedures - Secure credential storage and management - Multi-factor authentication support
Core API Endpoints
Document Management APIs
Document Upload:
POST /api/documents/upload
Content-Type: multipart/form-data- Upload documents for OCR processing
- Support for multiple file formats
- Batch upload capabilities
- Metadata attachment and configuration
Document Status:
GET /api/documents/{id}/status- Real-time processing status updates
- Progress tracking and completion notifications
- Error reporting and diagnostic information
- Processing queue position and estimates
Document Results:
GET /api/documents/{id}/results- Extracted document data and metadata
- Confidence scores and validation status
- Structured data output in JSON format
- Integration with Business Central entities
Configuration APIs
Setup Management:
GET/POST/PUT /api/setup/configuration- Retrieve and modify system configuration
- Backup and restore configuration settings
- Bulk configuration updates
- Configuration validation and testing
Identification Rules:
GET/POST/PUT/DELETE /api/setup/identifications- Manage vendor identification rules
- Pattern configuration and testing
- Bulk rule import and export
- Performance optimization settings
Preferred Vendor Setup:
GET/POST/PUT/DELETE /api/setup/vendors- Vendor-specific configuration management
- Default account and posting group assignments
- Approval workflow configuration
- Custom field mapping rules
Processing APIs
Queue Management:
GET /api/processing/queue- Monitor document processing queue
- Priority management and scheduling
- Load balancing and resource allocation
- Performance monitoring and optimization
Manual Processing:
POST /api/processing/manual- Trigger manual document processing
- Retry failed processing attempts
- Custom processing parameter configuration
- Override automatic processing rules
Integration Patterns
Event-Driven Integration
Document Processing Events: - Document received notifications - OCR processing completion events - Validation and approval status changes - Posting and archival notifications
Configuration Change Events: - Setup modification notifications - Rule changes and updates - Performance threshold alerts - System health monitoring events
Webhook Integration
Real-Time Notifications: - HTTP POST callbacks for processing events - Configurable webhook endpoints - Retry logic and error handling - Payload customization and filtering
Status Updates: - Processing progress notifications - Error and exception reporting - Performance metrics and analytics - User activity and audit events
Batch Integration
Scheduled Processing: - Bulk document processing APIs - Automated data synchronization - Performance reporting and analytics - Maintenance and optimization procedures
Data Export/Import: - Configuration backup and restore - Historical data export capabilities - Bulk vendor and rule management - Integration with external systems
Custom Development
Extension Points
Business Logic Extensions: - Custom validation rule implementation - Additional field processing logic - External system integration hooks - Performance optimization customizations
User Interface Extensions: - Custom page development for specific workflows - Additional control add-ins and components - Integration with external applications - Mobile-specific interface development
API Development Guidelines
RESTful Design Principles: - Resource-based URL structure - HTTP method usage conventions - Status code standards and error handling - JSON data format specifications
Security Best Practices: - Authentication and authorization requirements - Data validation and sanitization - Rate limiting and quota management - Secure communication protocols
Performance Considerations: - Efficient query design and optimization - Caching strategies and implementation - Batch processing capabilities - Resource usage monitoring and management
Integration Examples
Microsoft Power Platform
Power Automate Integration: - Automated workflow triggers based on document processing - Integration with other Microsoft 365 services - Custom approval workflows and notifications - Data synchronization with other business systems
Power BI Integration: - Real-time dashboard development - Advanced analytics and reporting - Performance monitoring and optimization - Business intelligence insights and trends
Third-Party Systems
ERP Integration: - Multi-system document processing - Cross-platform data synchronization - Custom field mapping and transformation - Workflow coordination across systems
Document Management Systems: - Automated document archival and retrieval - Metadata synchronization and management - Version control and change tracking - Compliance and audit trail integration
API Security
Access Control
Role-Based Access: - Granular API permission management - Resource-level access restrictions - Time-based access controls - IP address and location restrictions
Token Management: - Secure token generation and validation - Token expiration and refresh procedures - Revocation and blacklisting capabilities - Audit logging and monitoring
Data Protection
Encryption Standards: - TLS 1.3 for data transmission - AES-256 for data storage - Key management and rotation procedures - Secure deletion and data sanitization
Privacy Compliance: - GDPR compliance and data protection - Data anonymization and pseudonymization - Consent management and tracking - Right to erasure implementation
Monitoring and Analytics
Performance Monitoring
API Performance Metrics: - Request/response time monitoring - Throughput and capacity tracking - Error rates and failure analysis - Resource utilization monitoring
Service Level Monitoring: - Availability and uptime tracking - Performance threshold alerting - Capacity planning and scaling - Disaster recovery and failover
Usage Analytics
API Usage Tracking: - Endpoint usage statistics and trends - User and application activity monitoring - Resource consumption analysis - Cost tracking and optimization
Business Intelligence: - Integration performance insights - Process automation effectiveness - ROI analysis and reporting - Continuous improvement recommendations
Support and Documentation
Developer Resources
API Documentation: - Complete endpoint reference documentation - Request/response examples and schemas - Error code reference and troubleshooting - Best practices and implementation guides
SDK and Tools: - Client library development and distribution - Testing tools and utilities - Performance monitoring and debugging tools - Integration examples and templates
Professional Services
Integration Consulting: - Custom integration design and implementation - Performance optimization and tuning - Security assessment and hardening - Training and knowledge transfer
Ongoing Support: - API maintenance and updates - Performance monitoring and optimization - Security updates and patching - Feature enhancement and development