ExactOnline API integration fails on automation platforms

Other Questions N8n
1

Hey everyone! I’m having trouble with my ExactOnline API script. It works fine on my computer but acts up when I use it on Zapier or n8n.

On Zapier it stops right before making a fetch request. I’m trying to create and update stuff using the API. Here’s a simplified version of what I’m doing:

async function handleAction(action) {
  if (action === 'create_account_and_contact') {
    const accountId = await createAccount(accountData);
    const contactData = { ...contactInfo, AccountId: accountId };
    const contactId = await createContact(contactData);
    return 'Account and contact created successfully';
  }
}

async function createAccount(data) {
  const response = await apiRequest('POST', 'Accounts', data);
  return response.id;
}

async function createContact(data) {
  const response = await apiRequest('POST', 'Contacts', data);
  await updateAccount({ MainContact: response.id }, data.AccountId);
  return response.id;
}

async function apiRequest(method, endpoint, data) {
  const url = `https://api.exactonline.com/v1/${division}/${endpoint}`;
  const response = await fetch(url, {
    method,
    headers: { 'Authorization': `Bearer ${token}`, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: JSON.stringify(data)
  });
  return response.json();
}

Any ideas why it might not work on these platforms? Thanks for your help!

2

I’ve encountered similar challenges when integrating the ExactOnline API on automation platforms. In my case, one key issue that emerged was the API rate limiting. ExactOnline enforces strict limits, and automated requests can easily hit these thresholds, leading to intermittent failures. To handle this, I built in a retry mechanism with exponential backoff, which noticeably improved stability.

Another point to keep in mind is authentication. Automation platforms can struggle with managing OAuth token refresh properly. I found that isolating token refresh in a dedicated service helped maintain a consistent authentication state.

Finally, effective error handling is crucial. Ensure that your code captures and logs network errors and any other exceptions. This kind of detailed logging provides valuable insights for troubleshooting issues on such platforms.

3

hey there! i’ve had similar issues with the exactonline api on automtion platforms. it might be a cors issue or the platfoms blocking some requests. have u tried a proxy or adjusting request headers? also, check if the token is passed correctly. good luck!

4

Having worked extensively with ExactOnline API integrations, I have observed that automation platforms can present unique challenges, particularly in handling asynchronous operations. Such platforms may enforce strict timeout limits, which could cause your script to exceed those thresholds.

Implementing a queueing system or breaking down the processes into smaller, manageable chunks might help alleviate these issues and improve reliability. Additionally, consider enhancing your error handling by logging all API responses, as this can shed light on intermittent problems.

Finally, robust OAuth token management is vital since automation services sometimes face difficulties with token refresh mechanisms.