Getting Started

App Xchange is a platform that facilitates the flow of data between different apps within the construction industry and beyond. It helps solve common problems that occur when the same or similar data exists between many apps.

App Xchange creates connections between services to pull data from one service to the other through customizable flows. To efficiently implement App Xchange, you need a solid understanding of the process you want to automate. What is being done today? Which data moves where? What do people do if there is a problem like missing data? Answering these questions in advance will accelerate your ability to implement App Xchange. It will also inform how you implement App Xchange.

But no matter how you plan to use App Xchange, the process of getting started is exactly the same.
  1. Accept your email invitation to join App Xchange.
  2. Create or link your Trimble ID. Set up multi-factor authentication if you prefer. You can use these credentials to access App Xchange as well as other Trimble services, such as Trimble Learn. For more information, see Sign In to App Xchange.
  3. Sign in to access your Account Dashboard, where you can view a summary of flow runs from all the workspaces you own or manage. To familiarize, see Your App Xchange Account. Note that what you see depends on whether your account is set up to for automations or integrations.

Automations vs Integrations

The App Xchange platform enables users to move data in two primary ways: writing flows in an automation workspace or building an integration. Although the required skillsets for both tasks overlap in many areas, it is important to understand the key differences.

Automations are automated workflows between different software systems, which can be customized to filter, combine, extract, or group data along the way. These are typically customized data transfer solutions for a single company.

An integration is a prepackaged automation product that a company can develop then sell to its existing customer base. These are typically customizable data transfer solutions developed by a target system and sold as a service to its customers on Trimble Marketplace.

Getting Started With Automations

An App Xchange for Contractors license enables companies to build and deploy custom automation workflows and synchronize data across software systems. With some exceptions, App Xchange for Contractors users will typically follow this basic roadmap to meet their individual business needs.

  1. Configure, connect, and test your product connectors.
    • Add connectors and connections. For more information, see Connectivity.
    • Add a cache write service and run an initial cache write. For more information, see Jobs.
    • Test and iterate.
  2. Develop and customize your automation. For more information, see Flow Authoring.
    • Create a flow.
    • Add a schedule.
    • Test and iterate.
  3. Once your flows are moving data, monitor your data health using the Account Dashboard, Tasks, or flow step emails.

Getting Started With Integrations

An App Xchange for Products license enables companies to build and deploy integration products that automate workflows and synchronize data between your software systems and others. You can then sell these integration products to your existing customer base. However, some additional consideration is needed when building an integration, as you must anticipate potential use cases and provide documentation and support. If any enhancements needed, request them from App Xchange early.

For more information, see Best Practices for Integration Design. Users with an App Xchange for Products license will typically follow this basic roadmap to meet the needs of their customers.

  1. If necessary, create new connectors for your application using the Connector SDK or set up the HTTP connector. For more information, see HTTP or SDK and Build a Connector. This requires a publicly available API for your application, intermediate C# development skills, and a well-thought-out integration design.
  2. Create your integration using our integration builder at the account level. For more information, see Integration Builder.
    • Add connectors.
    • Add a feature.
    • Add a cache write service.
    • Add a flow.
    • Consider a flow template.
    • Add a schedule.
    • Add configurations.
  3. Sync your integration to your development workspace to test your flows.
    • Activate the features.
    • Configure the connectors.
    • Perform an initial cache write.
    • Test and iterate.
    • Set the integration status.
    • Set the feature status.
  4. Deploy your integration to a test customer.
    • Create documentation.
    • Make a support plan.
  5. List your integration on Trimble Marketplace for enhanced visibility and co-selling opportunities. For more information, see List your Integration on Trimble Marketplace.
  6. Your integration is complete and listed for sale. Onboard new customers to manage their data exchange. Use the Account Dashboard to support your customers by monitoring the health of your integration.
  7. Deploy your integration to customers. For more information, see Create a Customer Integration Deployment.

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