API vs. Flat File

Inventory Management | Labor & Scheduling | Cruise

Crunchtime serves as the central hub within an ecosystem, seamlessly integrating with numerous key platforms and third-party services essential for restaurants to operate smoothly.

How can Crunchtime integrate with various systems?

APIs

Crunchtime APIs (Application Programming Interface) provides a way for different software applications to communicate with each other in real-time. Our APIs allow for more dynamic and flexible integration between systems, enabling data retrieval, manipulation, and updating in real-time or near real-time via JSON. APIs are preferred when there is a need for frequent or immediate data exchange, or when integrating with complex systems that require more advanced interactions.

  • Updates are processed via JSON, using a command line interface.
  • Updates are processed immediately.
  • Confirmation of a success or failure is provided immediately.

Flat File

Crunchtime Data Pump: This application allows data to be exchanged between the Crunchtime Restaurant Platform and external systems and programs via flat files. It's typically used for batch processing and can be easier to implement for one-time or periodic data transfers.

  • Updates are processed using a text (.txt) file containing Header and Detail records. This file is then processed through the CDP.
  • In most cases, the text file must contain data in all required fields to process successfully, rather than only the updated data.
  • Uploaded files are placed in a queue and may not be processed right away.
  • The file’s status must be reviewed from the Inbound Integrations screen in Enterprise Manager.

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Thinking of switching from Crunchtime Data Pump to Crunchtime APIs

For customers utilizing the Crunchtime Data Pump (CDP) to update records in Crunchtime via flat file, using Crunchtime APIs can significantly streamline and enhance your integration process. These APIs offer a more efficient approach, enabling smoother operations and improved efficiency.

Standard Interface Guide

CDP and Crunchtime APIs both upload the same data points in Crunchtime, which may not be all of the information those records can contain in the application.

For more information on which specific data points can be uploaded, check out the Standard Interface Guide


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