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.
- Understand API Credit Consumption
- Optimize API Calls - Batch and bulk
- Implement Caching Mechanisms
- Minimize Redundant Calls
- Analyze Usage - track credit usage, set alerts
- 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!
Access your files securely from anywhere
New to Zoho Recruit?
Zoho Developer Community
New to Zoho LandingPage?
Zoho LandingPage Resources
New to Zoho Survey?
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Bigin?
Topic Participants
Shylaja S
Sticky Posts
Kaizen #197: Frequently Asked Questions on GraphQL APIs
🎊 Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – We want to hear from you! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.Kaizen #198: Using Client Script for Custom Validation in Blueprint
Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – 1 More to the Big Two-Oh-Oh! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.Celebrating 200 posts of Kaizen! Share your ideas for the milestone post
Hello Developers, We launched the Kaizen series in 2019 to share helpful content to support your Zoho CRM development journey. Staying true to its spirit—Kaizen Series: Continuous Improvement for Developer Experience—we've shared everything from FAQsKaizen #193: Creating different fields in Zoho CRM through API
🎊 Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – We want to hear from you! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.Client Script | Update - Introducing Commands in Client Script!
Have you ever wished you could trigger Client Script from contexts other than just the supported pages and events? Have you ever wanted to leverage the advantage of Client Script at your finger tip? Discover the power of Client Script - Commands! Commands
New to Zoho TeamInbox?
Zoho TeamInbox Resources
Zoho CRM Plus Resources
Zoho Books Resources
Zoho Subscriptions Resources
Zoho Projects Resources
Zoho Sprints Resources
Qntrl Resources
Zoho Creator Resources
Zoho CRM Resources
Design. Discuss. Deliver.
Zoho Show Resources
Get Started. Write Away!
Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.
Zoho CRM コンテンツ
-
オンラインヘルプ
-
Webセミナー
-
機能活用動画
-
よくある質問
-
Ebook
-
-
Zoho Campaigns
- Zoho サービスのWebセミナー
その他のサービス コンテンツ
Nederlandse Hulpbronnen
ご検討中の方
Recent Topics
how to use validation rules in subform
Is it possible to use validation rules for subforms? I tried the following code: entityMap = crmAPIRequest.toMap().get("record"); sum = 0; direct_billing = entityMap.get("direct_billing_details"); response = Map(); for each i in direct_billing { if(i.get("type")Notes Issues
Been having issues with Notes in the CRM. Yesterday it wasn't showing the notes, but it got resolved after a few minutes., Now I have been having a hard time saving notes the whole day. Notes can't be saved by the save button. it's grayed out or not grayedHow to disable user entry on Answer Bot in Zobot
Hi, I have an Answer Bot in my Zobot, here is the configuration: I only want the user to choose 1 of the 4 the options I have provided: When no answer found, user chooses 'I'll rephrase the question' or 'Ask a different question When answer is found,More admin control over user profiles
It's important for our company, and I'm sure many others, to keep our users inline with our branding and professional appearance. It would be useful for administrators to have more control over profile aspects such as: Profile image User names Email signaturesPlease Make Zoho CRM Cadences Flexible: Allow Inserting and Reordering Follow-Up Steps
Sales processes are not static. We test, learn, and adapt as customers respond differently than expected. Right now, Zoho Cadences do not support inserting a new step between existing follow-ups or changing the type of an existing primary step. If I realizeChanging the Default Search Criteria for Finding Duplicates
Hey everyone, is it possible to adjust the default search criteria for finding and merging duplicate records? Right now, CRM uses some (in my opinion nonsensical) fields as search criteria for duplicate records which do nothing except dilute the results.Clear Tag & Linking Between Quotes and Sales Orders
Hi Zoho Team, In Zoho Books, when a quote is converted into a sales order, it would be extremely useful to have: A clear tag/indicator on the quote showing that it has been converted into a sales order. A direct link in the sales order back to the originatingZoho Books Sandbox environment
Hello. Is there a free sandbox environment for the developers using Zoho Books API? I am working on the Zoho Books add-on and currently not ready to buy a premium service - maybe later when my add-on will start to bring money. Right now I just need aAdd Direct Ticket Link to Zoho Help Center Portal in Email Replies
Hi Zoho Support Team, We hope you're doing well. We’d like to request a small but valuable improvement to enhance the usability of the Zoho Help Center portal (https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/myarea). Currently, when someone from Zoho replies to a support[Webinar] Deluge Learning Series - AI-Powered Automation using Zoho Deluge and Gemini
We’re excited to invite you to an exclusive 1-hour webinar where we’ll demonstrate how to bring the power of Google’s Gemini AI into your Zoho ecosystem using Deluge scripting. Whether you're looking to automate data extraction from PDFs or dynamicallyConnecting Zoho Inventory to ShipStation
we are looking for someone to help connect via API shipStation with Zoho inventory. Any ideas? Thanks. UriSubform edits don't appear in parent record timeline?
Is it possible to have subform edits (like add row/delete row) appear in the Timeline for parent records? A user can edit a record, only edit the subform, and it doesn't appear in the timeline. Is there a workaround or way that we can show when a userNew in Cadences: Option to Resume or Restart follow-ups when re-enrolling records into a Cadence, and specify custom un-enrollment criteria
Managing follow-ups effectively involves understanding the appropriate timing for reaching out, as well as knowing when to take a break and resume later, or deciding if it's necessary to start the follow-up process anew. With two significant enhancementsIm Stuck in an EDIT ONLY WITH WIZARD issue
So I found Wizards to be a really helpful tool in minimizing the exposure of redundant, superfluous fields to staff that would never otherwise have to edit those fields. My issue is, that when the record (in this case a lead) is created with a wizard,Account upgrade
Good evening, I upgraded my account and paid for it. From standard to professional. Unfortunately after the paiment my account was not upgraded. Please your advise. Best Regards Erik van StaverdenHow to set ALL default dates of my organization to DD-MM-YYYY format?
All replies to this question comes from a time where the UI was different. It's extremely frustrating not being able to find how to do this simple setting change. I want everything and everyone in my organizations to have DD-MM-YYYY date format by default.How can I sync from Zoho Projects into an existing Zoho Sprints project?
Hi I have managed to integrate Zoho Projects with Zoho Sprints and I can see that the integration works as a project was created in Zoho Sprints. But, what I would like to do is to sync into an existing Zoho Sprints project. Is there a way to make thatMeet Canvas' Grid component: Your easiest way to build responsive record templates
Visual design can be exciting—until you're knee-deep in the details. Whether it's aligning text boxes to prevent overlaps, fixing negative space, or simply making sure the right data stands out, just ironing out inconsistencies takes a lot of moving parts.Zoho Subform Workflows onAdd of Row
Suppose I have a form with attached workflows onLoad. If I use the form as a subform, will it inherit the workflows or do I need to create new ones onAdd of row?Super Admin removal
I brought a sub, and I gave the Super admin rights to a person who is no longer with us, so I need to change, and I need to make myself the Super adminEmployees in Leave Policy exceptions
In the Leave Policies we should be able to add specific employees to the exception list So it will be like All Employees except A,B,C in the exception list, currently we can only add departments etcBetter Notes Commenting
Hi, I'd like to suggest better collaboration tools for NOTES. The current notes section for Accounts, Contacts and Deals is not ideally suitable for any degree of communication or collaboration. When responding to a note, there is no ability to leaveFormula field with IF statement based on picklist field and string output to copy/paste in multi-line field via function
Hello there, I am working on a formula field based on a 3-item picklist field (i.e. *empty value*, 'Progress payment', 'Letter of credit'). Depending on the picked item, the formula field shall give a specific multi-line string (say 'XXX' in case of 'ProgressMessages not displayed from personal LinkedIn profile
Hello. I connected both our company profile and my personal profile to Zoho social. I do see all messages from our company page but none from my private page. not even the profile is being added on top to to switch between company or private profile,Exporting Templates
I have just spent 2 hours creating a project template for a Netsuite configuration, and want to share it with other Zoho Projects users - who have a different account. Is there any way to do this?Power of Automation:: Streamline Associated Teams based on the Task Owner update.
Hello Everyone, A Custom function is a user-written set of code to achieve a specific requirement. Set the required conditions needed as when to trigger using the Workflow rules (be it Tasks / Project) and associate the custom function to it. Requirement:No Response from Zoho Support in 8 Days - Typical?
I have a couple of issues I'm trying to work through. Initially, I was getting support from support@zohofsm.com, but I have not received a response in 8 days (11 on another question). Is this typical? Can I pay for support? For context, I am not spammingAdd QUOTE OWNER profile image to a Quote Template
I can add their email address.. phone number, DOB. I need to add a users profile picture so when they assign a template to a quote they own it adds their picture to the cover page. I've tried hacking a solution together but there has to be an easier way.Email Integration - Zoho CRM - OAuth and IMAP
Hello, We are attempting to integrate our Microsoft 365 email with Zoho CRM. We are using the documentation at Email Configuration for IMAP and POP3 (zoho.com) We use Microsoft 365 and per their recommendations (and requirements) for secure email we haveElevate your CX delivery using CommandCenter 2.0: Simplified builder; seamless orchestration
Most businesses want to create memorable customer experiences—but they often find it hard to keep them smooth, especially as they grow. To achieve a state of flow across their processes, teams often stitch together a series of automations using WorkflowZoho Connections Desk API relative URL PATTERN_NOT_MATCHED
While i am trying to do this: async function fetchTicketsFromDesk(timeFilter = 'current_month') { try { const response = await ZOHO.CRM.CONNECTION.invoke("desk_connection", { url: "/api/v1/tickets", method: "GET", }); const data = response.details ? JSON.parse(response.details)Zoho CRM - Custom Views for Portal Users
I'm looking for an option to customise custom views for portal users in CRM. It would be great if "portal user" was a permission on custom views.【参加無料】10/17(金) 東京 ユーザ交流会 Vol.3 参加登録 受付開始！
ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの藤澤です。 10/17(金)に、東京・新橋で「東京 ユーザー交流会 Vol.3」を開催します！ 今回のユーザー事例セッションのテーマは、「Zoho Flowを活用した他社の決済サービスとの連携事例」です。 さらに、Zoho Flowに限らず、Analytics や Campaigns などの多彩なZohoサービスの活用方法について、豊富なご経験をもとにご紹介いただきます。 また、Zoho社員セッションでは、Zoho CRMを活用して日々の営業業務を効率化する具体的な事例をお話しします。業界を問わず、幅広い方にご参考いただける内容となっています！Zoho Meeting Plug compatibility with newer versions of Outlook
Documentation states that the zoho meeting plug in for outlook is only compatible with versions up to Outlook 2019 What is available to users of more up to date versions of outlook/office 365?Getting Attachments in Zoho Desk via API
Is there a way to get attachments into Zoho Desk via an API? We have a process by which a zoho survey gets sent to the user as a link in a notification. The survey has several upload fields where they can upload pdf documents. I've createdIntroducing Zoho's own SMS gateway
We're thrilled to announce the launch of our own SMS gateway feature within Zoho Marketing Automation! This new feature enables seamless SMS campaign management alongside your email marketing initiatives, providing a more integrated and efficient wayEmbedding in Desk articles
We would like to embed documents in our Desk articles. When we use an iframe for the embed, we get scrollbars and a frame border. Neither of those is acceptable. I've spoken with the Desk Support team about what we want and they tell me that it cannotZoho CRM button to download images from image upload field
Hello, I am trying to create a button in Zoho CRM that I can place in my record details view for each record and use it to download all images in the image upload fields. I tried deluge, client scripts and even with a widget, but feel lost, could notMass Update Contacts In Zoho Campaigns
Is there a way to mass update contacts in zoho campaigns? I want to be able to change the content of a field for a few hundred contacts, and can't go through all of them individually.report showing assignment type
Hi, We've created a number of workflows to allow us to auto assign tickets to agents based on keywords and other criteria. I'm struggling to create a report that would show me what is the percentage of tickets that are assigned automatically via workflowsNext Page