What is API Engine?

The API engine allows you to build integrations from within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to external systems or platforms via API calls. It contains the tools necessary to define the structure, parameters, and variables of an API call, which can then be executed from within Business Central. Through the definition of mappings between external values and Business Central objects, retrieved data is recorded in the desired tables and fields.

The API Engine should be viewed as a framework that can be used to initiate and manage API calls from Business Central. It is not designed to service a particular industry or business process but rather act as an agnostic architecture that can support any system that transmits data via API. This could range from a simple API that is built for a singular task such as retrieving weather information or calculating distance to something as complex as an eCommerce channel that requires the transmission of order, customer, and item data to and from the ERP platform.

The architecture of the API Engine is such that users without technical expertise can construct API calls through the user interface, with no coding required. Coding is supported, however, and developers can use the API Engine to address more advanced scenarios.

Next: API Engine Installation