What is an application programming interface (API)?

An application program interface (API) is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. API is a messenger that delivers your data request to one application (in this case, BuildingConnected or TradeTapp) and then delivers the requested data back to your internal enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

A few examples of how API’s can be used with BuildingConnected and TradeTapp:

• If a company’s contracts team needs to see the single project limit before they can approve and send contracts to a subcontractor.
• If a company’s field manager needs to access the OSHA and EMR scores that a subcontractor provided to make a safety RMP.
• If a company’s accounting team needs to know the total dollar amount of jobs awarded to each subcontractor in our ERP.

Can general contractors push to the API?

No, the API is read-only. General contractors are able to pull down information from our database, but they are not able to modify the data unless they are in the BuildingConnected or TradeTapp site.


Are files accessible through the API?

No, we do not support the ability to download files like drawings, RFPs, W9’s and other documents through the API. These files are available for download on BuildingConnected or TradeTapp but are not shared via the API.


Is the API real-time?

No, the API is updated nightly.

Click here for information on how to request access to BuildingConnected’s API.