Kaizen #158 - How to effectively handle API calls to optimize API credits?

Kaizen #158 - How to effectively handle API calls to optimize API credits?

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to another post in the Kaizen series!

In this post, we will discuss a few strategies to handle API calls effectively and optimize your API credits.

As you all know, your CRM edition comes with a set number of credits(this varies based on the number of licenses purchased) and all API calls consume these API credits. Refer to our API limits page for more information on the credit system.

Businesses use different processes for different needs, so they use different APIs. Here are a few strategies that can help you optimize your API usage and save up on credits while still maintaining efficient operations.

  1. Understand API Credit Consumption
  2. Optimize API Calls - Batch and bulk
  3. Implement Caching Mechanisms
  4. Minimize Redundant Calls
  5. Analyze Usage - track credit usage, set alerts
  6. Increase Credits to fit your needs

1. Understand API Credit Consumption

The primary step to optimize your usage is to understand it and know the credit system. Each API call consumes a specific number of credits based on its type. For example, a standard Get Users API call costs 1 credit, while a more complex operation, like converting a lead, consumes 5 credits.
Refer to the credit consumption table provided on the API Limits page to plan your usage efficiently.

2. Optimize API Calls

Batch Requests

Whenever possible, batch requests to combine multiple operations into a single API call. For instance, consider that you want to insert or update 20 records. Insert/Update Records API consumes 1 credit for every 10 records. So, instead of making the API call 20 times and spending 20 credits, you can insert or update all 20 records in a single API and spend only 2 credits.
You can also use Composite API to combine up to 5 API calls as sub-requests in one composite request based on your use case.

Bulk APIs

For large data sets involving thousands of records, leverage bulk APIs that can process multiple records in a single request. This approach not only saves credits but also enhances performance by reducing the number of individual requests sent to the server.
Furthermore, these APIs support callback by which you can reduce polling(thereby saving credits) and get near real-time notification of the bulk job.
Refer to our Kaizen post on When to use Get Records, Search Records, COQL and Bulk Read APIs? to decide which API will suit best for a given scenario.

3. Implement Caching Mechanisms

Store frequently accessed metadata locally or in a temporary cache. This allows you to get the data from the cache instead of making multiple calls to get the same information. Caching metadata of modules and fields would be a game changer as these are one of the most frequently accessed data.

4. Minimize Redundant Calls

Upsert Records API instead of Insert/Update Records

Use the upsert records API while creating records. If you have enabled duplicate check based on unique fields or display label, this API checks if there are existing records, and updates or inserts, accordingly. This helps you save up on credits instead of searching for records and then inserting or updating them.

Use Webhooks

Use webhooks to receive notifications about changes in data instead of polling. This reduces the need for frequent API calls to check for updates.
For example, when you use bulk APIs, they support both polling and callback. Use callback to get notified about the status of the job instead of using the API to poll for an update.

Similarly, you can use the Notification API to receive near real-time notification about changes in data. For instance, when you want to know whenever a deal is created, subscribe for the create action on the Deals module using the Notification API. This helps you avoid making repeated Get Records API calls to check for new records.
Instead of polling for updates, utilize webhooks to receive near real-time notifications about changes in data. This reduces the need for frequent API calls to check for updates. Notification APIs allow you to get near real-time notifications on data in CRM, while the Bulk APIs support both polling and callback op.

5. Monitor and Analyze Usage

Track API Credit Usage

Regularly monitor your API credit consumption through the API dashboard. The Dashboard gives you a comprehensive view of your credits, the usage pattern, consumption by modules, functions, integration tasks, etc. Understanding these patterns can help identify areas where you can avoid spending credits and optimize further.

Set Alerts for High Usage

Zoho CRM alerts the super admin of the org via an email whenever the API usage reaches 80, 90, or 100% of the available credits. Configure alerts based on your critical threshold limits to avoid unexpected disruptions. Refer to this page to learn how you can customize these alerts.

6. Increase Credits Wisely

Estimate Requirement Accurately

If you find that your organization consistently exceeds its credit limits, consider increasing your API credits from the API dashboard conveniently. Be mindful about add-on credits based on usage data in the past. Zoho CRM uses the pay-as-you-go model for add-on credits, so you only pay for what you use.

​
We hope that these simple strategies will help you optimize your API calls in Zoho CRM, effectively manage your API credits, and reduce unnecessary costs while maintaining efficient operations.
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section. Write to us at support@zohocrm.com if you have any questions.
See you next week!
Cheers!

    • Recent Topics

    • Generating CRM reports based on date moved in staged history

      Hi everyone, I'm trying to generate CRM reports of jobs (I think these are called usually deals) based on when they were moved to a particular stage, ie all jobs that were moved to Proposal/Quote in the previous financial year. I can see from other similar

    • Modules for missed calls, emails, texts etc

      Hi there. Is there a way to create a module that would automatically show a list of all inbound calls that were missed by our users, as well as any inbound SMS's, emails & WhatsApp messages. That way, a user who is available, can work through that list

    • Subforms and automation

      If a user updates a field how do we create an automation etc. We have a field for returned parts and i want to get an email when that field is ticked. How please as Zoho tells me no automation on subforms. The Reason- Why having waited for ever for FSM

    • Conditional layouts - support for multi-select picklists

      Hi, The documentation for conditional layouts says the following: "Layout Rules cannot be used on the following field types: Auto Number Lookup Multi Select Lookup User Lookup Formula File Upload Multi Line" I have a custom module with a multi-pick list

    • Ability to Set a General Email Signature for the Organization in Zoho Recruit

      Dear Zoho Recruit Team, I hope you're doing well. We would like to request a feature that would allow us to set a general email signature at the organizational level within Zoho Recruit. Currently it is only possible for individual users to create their

    • Custom Buttons & Links Now Supported in Portals

      We’ve just made portals in Zoho Recruit more powerful and customizable than ever! You can now bring the power of Custom Buttons and Links to your Candidate, Client, Vendor, and Custom Portals — enabling portal users to take direct action without recruiter

    • Is there a way to show contact emails in the Account?

      I know I can see the emails I have sent and received on a Contact detail view, but I want to be able to see all the emails that have been sent and received between all an Accounts Contacts on the Account Detail view. That way when I see the Account detail

    • Live webinar: Transform data into impactful visuals with Zoho Show

      Data is frequently a core part of a presentation, whether it’s a sales pitch, project update, research report, or performance review. But when it’s just numbers on a page, the message you’re trying to convey can get buried. The real magic happens when

    • File attachments not working - web version

      Since Notebook announced better file attachments, I have experienced file attachments failing. When uploaded from my pc to the web version, notebook just spins. Acting like the attachment is very large. When it's 30k. If I cancel out of this, the notecard

    • API - Barebones Data for Send Doc For Signiture

      I am learning how to use with Zoho Sign API. I am wondering if someone can give me a bare bones JSON data sample for "Send Document For Signature". Below is the blank data that is pre-populated in postman. Seems like there is more here than the bare minimum

    • Revenue Management: #2 How to compute revenue?

      In our previous post, we discussed the revenue recognition standards under IFRS 15 and ASC 606 and the five-step model. Now, let's examine three distinct business scenarios to see how the standards and model work in practice. This will help you understand

    • External lookup in CRM (as in Books)

      Hello Context: We have a CRM module, similar to Deals, but for Purchasing. Once the PO is created, a link to this PO should be updated in that "deal". In Books, you can add a custom 'external' field which can look up into CRM modules. I'm asked to have

    • "Undo Send" Feature

      Would love it if TeamInbox had an "Undo Send" feature, that gives you 10 seconds or so to "undo" the sending of an email. Many other email clients already have this feature, and my clients really miss it, as it has saved them many times in the past when

    • Zoho Sites

      Does anyone have experience building Zoho sites or know how I can find someone who does?

    • Zoho Crm Lagging

      Hi Zoho Support Team, Starting from today, my Zoho CRM has been extremely slow and laggy when accessing any pages or modules. This is affecting my work and overall productivity. Could you please help to check if there are any ongoing issues or if there’s

    • Is there a way to reference/attach mails to deals/contacts when the mails haven't come through their contacts normal email and the mail comes through software / app who use their mail system

      There are often system mails that come through systems or other software which use their email addresses since they use their own mail servers to mail. This causes an issue as it does not record the mail in the history of the CRM since the email is not

    • Recommendation

      I give up on Zoho. It's never going to be an all in one solution, their own apps don't even connect. Can any one recommend an alternative at least for the crm / people.

    • CRM - Site/Location

      Hi Zoho, One massive oversight of the Zoho CRM is the inability to add multiple sites or locations to one account. Many organisations have several (in some cases, hundreds) of sites across the country or even the globe. The workaround to this, of course,

    • An unknown error occurred. Please contact support

      Whenever I visit this page I see this. I changed browser and still the same. Can someone from Zoho help me please?

    • How to Streamline Pick & Ship

      Is there a way to streamline the built-in pick and ship process? I guess mostly on the ship side. Our current process allows us to choose shipping super fast. It's an EasyPost plugin for WooCommerce. You have to populate the boxes / weights / shipping

    • How to add, delete or rename the "payment method" drop down?

      When we recorded payment in invoice, there's a "payment method" drop down with choices like cash, bank transfer... We want to add and delete or rename some new selection. How to do such adjustment? Please advice.

    • Smarter data gathering with Query component in Wizards

      Dear All, Introducing the Query Component in Wizards for CRM! A smart search field that saves you time and effort, and helps you manage and gather data more efficiently than ever before. Long and complex record entries can be overwhelming and prone to

    • Introducing teamspaces and team modules in Zoho CRM mobile app

      Hello everyone, We have an exciting update to share in the Zoho CRM mobile app. As part of CRM For Everyone—a new set of features that reflect our vision to democratize CRM and make it accessible for all—teamspaces and team modules are now available on

    • Client Script - change page and/or section background colours

      Hello, Would anyone be willing to help me with a bit of Client Scripting code? I have had a go myself but only been able to alter the form field styles, not the overall page/section/heading styles. I want to set a different page background colour for

    • Zoho SalesIQのチャットボット、ブロックのコピー機能

      Zoho SalesIQのチャットボットの構築でドラッグアンドドロップで作成を行っているます。 内容は同じブロックのコピーペースト機能がないみたいなのですが、同一のブロック、同一の複数のブロックをいくつも作成する場合は、皆様はどのように行われていますか？ 例えば添付の４つのブロックをまとめてコピーして、別のフローの先につなげる場合です。 教えていただけますと幸いです。よろしくお願いいたします。

    • Questions About Zoho Commerce Member Portal

      Hello, A couple questions about the Zoho Commerce Member Portal: 1. Can I add only specific pages be added to the Members Portal, and not the entire website? 2. When a customer signs up on my Zoho Commerce site, is there a setting that gives me a chance

    • Cancel and refund

      Hi, Yesterday I paid for the Zoho email subscription. Within a few minutes, I realized that the subscription counts one email ID as one user. To make another email ID for the same domain name, I'd have to pay for another user. I emailed right away to

    • Online Payment Fees

      We don't take many online credit card payments so the merchant service provider (PayPal) charges us the 2.9% fee for processing the amount. I would like the ability for the fee to be automatically added to the total amount for "ease of payment". We'd

    • Error occured. please try again!!!

      I created a new list. Added two new contact's email addresses. I try to EDIT either one of them to add their first name, last name and phone number. Whatever I try to edit and update, I get the error message  Error occured. please try again!!! And it doesn't update any of their info. I tried just editing first and last name. Still get the error. No matter what I try to update, I get the error. I tried creating a new list, and adding just one email address and then edit it and also get the error.

    • "Send email as" not work

      Hi team, I currently use ZOHO MAIL services on the MAKE platform (formerly INTEGROMAT). In MAKE I entered my ZOHO MAIL credentials but the problem is that when the emails are sent from the automation in MAKE, the emails do not come in with the name set

    • *UPDATE: ISSUE RESOLVED, SEE HOW FOR HELP* Issue imbedding Youtube Videos

      **UPDATE: RESOLVED** For anyone that is having a similar issue, try this workaround before attempting to have the Zoho techs fix it. I have been in communication with them for weeks about this and they can't seem to fix the issue. Thinking it may have just been my computer or my browser, I tried two different computers on two different networks, each running different versions of Windows, and tried it on Chrome, Firefox and IE; nothing worked. So, needless to say, it's an issue with Zoho somewhere.

    • Backorder For Composite Items

      Hello If i released SO for composite item and use backorder feature of zoho inventory then it should backorder child item items of composite and not composite item.This is basic of backordering.I conveyed this to zoho call center but no solution yet.

    • Paid Support

      We are in the process of creating tiers for our support offerings. There will be three tiers of support available - 2 paid and 1 free. The paid tiers will be purchased in allotted hours. I need to figure out how to a) work in the out of the box SLA, Contracts

    • Automatically CC supervisor

      Hello,  in our organization agents are replying to tickets and they are required to CC their supervisor on all emails to and from customers.  is there a way to have an email address automatically populate in the CC field when reply to a ticket?  tha

    • Zoho One - White Label

      Releasing a white-label feature for Zoho One, or any software or service, can offer several advantages and benefits for both the company providing the software (Zoho in this case) and its users. Here are some key reasons for releasing a white-label feature

    • Are this Features included in the Road Map

      1. Sync between description/short description in Zoho Books/Inventory and Zoho Commerce: I am unsure how it works now. I belive the description is not pulled. 2. Pick Up: This feature is great. It is added on Zoho Commerce but not on Books/Inventory which

    • Reconciliation - Show Transactions After End Date

      I did a quick search, and I've only seen this brought up indirectly. In the reconciliation interface, transactions dated up to a week after the end date should be available for being reconciled. The use case is pretty simple... many times, transactions

    • Auto populate email field in zoho form

      Hi,  Is there a way the email field in zoho forms can be auto populated based on the name selected from a drop down list?

    • Option to accept and pay for estimate from Public Estimate link?

      Is there any way that our customers can get the Estimate in their email, click on "View Estimate" and from the public link, click Accept and Pay? When they click that, in the background Zoho would create the invoice record in the so that the payment would

    • Kaizen #125 Manipulating Multi-Select Lookup fields (MxN) using Zoho CRM APIs

      Hello everyone! Welcome back to another week of Kaizen. In last week's post in the Kaizen series, we discussed how subforms work in Zoho CRM and how to manipulate subform data using Zoho CRM APIs. In this post, we will discuss how to manipulate a multi-select

    • Next Page