In an increasingly digital world, connectivity and the exchange of data form the basis of most of our interactions, and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) play a key role in this. Adaptability is one of the guiding principles of our approach, so our platform works for you and to your requirements. The Asite open API makes construction processes more efficient by allowing you to do more with less.

This blog will provide you with a better understanding of what an API is and how the Asite API can support your organization, streamline processes and power new business models.

What is an API?

What are the benefits of an API?

An API brokers access to an application, offering a simplified way of integrating new application components into an existing architecture without having to create new code. API’s deliver data and enable connectivity, which can save you time and money as there is no need to pay for additional software applications, hardware, or training.

At Asite, specifically, the API layer is being used to build a number of integrations for the Asite Ecosystem, which includes solutions that are helping organizations to adapt their technology platforms to meet the complexities of their businesses. The API allows clients to expand their capabilities and offerings without having to implement new software, saving hours of manual admin and thus, reducing project costs.

How does Asite’s API work?

The Asite public API allows your internal software applications to interact with the Asite platform. Asite supports RESTful API, which is an architectural style for an API that uses hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS) to send and receive data in formats such as XML and JSON. This allows you to put your data to new uses and improve your existing processes and operations; thereby, optimizing internal construction processes without duplicating data or project information.

Once authenticated and authorized, much like the web platform, the API provides firewall access to data and resources stored on the platform. For example, many of our housebuilder clients have integrated their property sales process with the Asite platform via the API. The integration validates the completeness of the drawings for the assets being sold and manages the drawing approval workflow for the sales process. The API also makes managing the workflow for approving drawings during the sales process simpler and provides certainty to everyone who is part of the transaction.

Another interesting example is our integration with Microsoft Power BI. This integration allows our users to aggregate, analyze, visualize, and share their data on the Asite dashboard via the use of APIs in the Microsoft Power BI reports.

Groovy Scripting for Added Flexibility

Asite supports Groovy scripting, which is an object-oriented dynamic programming language. With the Asite Groovy scripting engine, you can customize platform behavior to, for example, provide custom validations, add/update attributes or statuses dynamically, or even call external system APIs. Using the groovy scripts, our clients can also set up an automated and configurable alert mechanism to get notified about insurance expiration for subcontractors on their projects.

Additionally, our 3D Repo integration uses Groovy scripts to push models into the 3D Repo platform.

Groovy scripting allows for system tasks to be triggered and executed as part of a wider approval workflow, preventing rework and ensuring consistent data across multiple platforms. They offer organizations a level of openness and makes the Asite platform highly flexible and customizable to fit specific business requirements. 

In a nutshell 

The Asite API: 

• allows user’s products or services to talk to the Asite Platform programmatically

• opens up the Asite Platform’s data and functionality to developers – external as well as internal

• enables users to benefit from and add impressive functionality into their applications and platform

• supports customization.

At Asite, our mission is to facilitate the development of innovative infrastructure and capital projects by providing versatile tools that respond to the needs of our clients. In all respects, we are committed to helping you build better. To find out more on how Asite’s API can transform your business and allow you to stay competitive, please contact sales or book a demo.

To join or learn more about the Asite Ecosystem, which reduces project costs by allowing clients to expand their capabilities and offerings without having to implement new software, click here.