Application Programming Interface (API)
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules, protocols, and tools that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. It defines how software components should interact, making it easier for developers to use the functionality of another application, service, or platform without needing to understand its internal code.
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Key Points About APIs:
Bridge Between Systems: APIs act like a messenger—taking a request from one software system, telling another system what to do, and returning the response.
Reusable Functions: Instead of writing functions from scratch, developers can use APIs to access predefined functions (like payment processing, weather data, maps, etc.).
Standardized Communication: APIs define a consistent and structured format for requests and responses (commonly using formats like JSON or XML).
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Types of APIs:
Type Description
Web API Allows communication over the internet (e.g., REST, SOAP, GraphQL).
Library/API (SDK) Functions provided by software libraries or SDKs for developers to use locally.
Operating System API Provides access to OS functions (e.g., Windows API, Android API).
Hardware API Allows software to interact with hardware devices (e.g., camera API, printer API).
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Common Real-World Examples:
Using Google Maps API to display maps in apps or websites.
Logging into websites via Facebook or Google API (OAuth).
Using payment APIs like PayPal or Midtrans to process transactions.
Fetching weather data from services like OpenWeather API.
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In Simple Analogy:
An API is like a restaurant menu:
The menu (API) tells you what dishes (services/functions) are available.
You place an order (request).
The kitchen (server/application) prepares the dish.
The waiter returns it to you (response).
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Quick comparison: Accounting software with APIs that work well for Indonesia / APAC
Nice — I researched Indonesian / APAC-friendly accounting systems with real API support and made a short comparison you can act on immediately.
> Summary (quick) — four strong choices:
Mekari Jurnal — Indonesian product, full API, HMAC/key auth option, best local tax & bank/payment integrations.
Xero — global leader with extensive Accounting APIs, good Indonesian localization and local partners; very developer-friendly.
QuickBooks Online (Intuit) — powerful API ecosystem, but some features/availability in Indonesia can be limited; check specific API availability for Indonesian region.
HashMicro — regional ERP/accounting vendor offering API/SDKs and local deployment; strong if you want ERP + accounting in one vendor.
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Comparison table (short)
Vendor API available? Auth & sandbox Indonesian localization / tax support Best if... Sources
Mekari Jurnal Yes — public API, Stoplight / Postman docs. API keys / HMAC; sandbox & Postman examples exist. Designed for Indonesia (IDR, local VAT, e-meterai integrations). You want a native Indonesian solution with local bank/payment integrations.
Xero Yes — broad accounting APIs (many endpoints). OAuth2; sandbox/developer apps; status page available. Has Indonesian offering & local partners/implementers. You want a global API surface, many endpoints, and good partner network.
QuickBooks Online Yes — mature API and many third-party connectors. OAuth2; sandbox via Intuit Developer portal. Some API capabilities or bank-connectivity may be limited in Indonesia — verify. You want large ecosystem and many integrators, but confirm Indonesia support for the needed endpoints.
HashMicro Yes — API/SDK and ERP integrations. Vendor API docs / SDKs; enterprise onboarding. Regional focus (SEA), customizable for local tax/regulation. You need ERP modules tightly integrated with accounting and local deployment options.
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Key technical details you should check for each product
1. API coverage — do they expose the exact endpoints you need (invoices, bank reconciliation, chart of accounts, multi-entity consolidation, inventory sync)? (Check their docs).
2. Authentication & security — Xero/QuickBooks use OAuth2; Mekari may support API key/HMAC for faster integration patterns. Confirm token rotation and scopes.
3. Sandbox / developer workflow — ability to test with realistic data (Postman collections, sandboxes). Mekari & Xero provide developer docs/sandbox flows.
4. Rate limits & batching — important if you’ll move many transactions. Check each provider’s rate limits.
5. Localization & bank/payment integrations — native Indonesian vendors (Mekari, HashMicro) often have built-in local payment, e-meterai, and tax flows.
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My actionable recommendation (pick a path)
If you need tight Indonesian compliance & local banks → start with Mekari Jurnal. Test their Postman/sandbox and validate bank/payment integrations you require.
If you want global standards, many third-party apps, and richer API endpoints → start with Xero (good developer docs & partner network).
If you already rely on Intuit/QuickBooks in other countries → validate Indonesian API availability first (some QBO APIs/features may be restricted in ID).
If you want ERP + accounting from the same regional vendor → evaluate HashMicro for an integrated solution.
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Next steps I can do for you right now
Pick one (or say “compare all 4”) and I’ll immediately:
fetch and produce a detailed endpoint checklist (which endpoints each vendor exposes for invoices, chart of accounts, bank transactions, payments, journals, reconciliation, multi-currency, multi-entity), or
create a short migration checklist (data export/import, mapping COA, reconciliation approach), or
generate sample code to create an invoice + push a payment using the chosen vendor’s API (Node.js or Python).
Yes — there are accounting software solutions in Indonesia that allow you to post (create/update) data via API, not just retrieve (GET) it. Here are two good ones for you (with local/regional relevance) and what to check:
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✅ Examples
1. Mekari Jurnal
The “Integrasi sistem” page says: “Automasi sinkronisasi data dan sistem kustom dengan Jurnal API”.
The integration guideline (PDF) states that there are endpoints to add, update, delete many objects (customers, products, warehouses, taxes) — so it supports POST/PUT (not just GET).
Their developer docs confirm you can create application, access API.
⇒ So yes, Jurnal supports input/posting of data via API.
2. Kledo
Kledo’s “REST API Integrations” page says you have “full access to Kledo’s REST API … add advanced features, import/export data, or sync your Kledo account with your existing tools…” indicating you can send (“add”) data, not only fetch.
⇒ So Kledo is another candidate for “input/post data” via API.
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⚠️ What to verify (before committing)
When you pick one, make sure you check:
Which operations are supported: Are there endpoints for “create” (POST), “update” (PUT/PATCH) and “delete” (DELETE) for the objects you need (e.g., invoices, payments, customers)?
For Jurnal, the guideline states that you must “create first” e.g., customers/products/warehouses before invoices.
Authentication & access: What method (API key, OAuth2, HMAC) and do you have permissions to write data?
Field/data compatibility: Are the data fields you need (currency, tax codes, local Indonesian tax/pajak fields) supported in the POST body?
Rate limits / batching: If you will post large volumes of data, check limits.
Error handling: For POSTs you’ll want predictable error responses (validation, duplicate entries).
Localization / Tax/regulatory compliance: Especially with Indonesia’s tax rules (PPN, e-faktur) ensure the software supports the regulatory fields you need.
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Here’s a mini-matrix of 5 Indonesian or APAC-friendly accounting/ERP software systems that support APIs — with focus on whether they allow input/post data (create/update) via API, what we know, and what to verify further.
# Vendor API availability for create/update (“post data”) Notes / What we found What to verify
1 Mekari Jurnal ✅ Yes — documentation shows endpoints for create/update/delete of key objects. Their “Basic Guideline” says you must create objects like customers/products via API before invoices, and that APIs list add/update/delete. Which specific objects are writable (invoices, payments, etc)? What rate-limits apply? Are tax/VAT fields supported?
2 Kledo ✅ Yes — they mention “full access to Kledo’s REST API … add advanced features …” Strong indication of create/update support; they talk about syncing data, importing/exporting. Get API docs for Kledo: what endpoints support POST/PUT? What authentication model? What objects (invoices, customers, etc)?
3 HashMicro ❓ Mixed/Unclear — while they mention “open REST APIs” in architecture statement, other competitive listings say “No API available”. The architecture note says “built on … open REST APIs, real-time data pipelines” for HashMicro. However a listing states “Does HashMicro offer an API? No.” Need to verify directly with vendor: does the accounting module support creation via API? What objects? What are limitations?
4 Refrens ✅ Yes (at least for invoicing) — in the “7 Best Invoicing Software in Indonesia” list they say “Invoice API: Quickly generate invoices for your website or app with Refrens’ Invoice API” This is more invoicing-focused than full accounting, but still may serve depending on your scope. Check if full accounting ledger, bank reconciliation, AR/AP entries are supported via API (not just invoice creation).
5 Xero (International but usable in Indonesia) ✅ Yes — well-known globally for full API (create invoices, payments, etc) (though you’ll need to check Indonesian localisation). Although not purely Indonesian, its API maturity is high and may support your integration in Indonesia region. Verify Indonesian tax/regulation support, currency support, local bank connectivity, and full create/update endpoints accessible in your region.
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🔍 My recommendation on next steps:
Pick 1–2 from the list (e.g., Mekari Jurnal and Kledo) and request API access/trial to see if they support your needed “post data” flows (e.g., creating invoices, payments, customers, journal entries).
Prepare a small list of objects you need to create/update (e.g., Customer, Invoice, Payment, Journal Entry) and check for each vendor:
Does API allow POST (create)?
Does API allow PUT/PATCH (update)?
Does API allow DELETE (if relevant)?
What are the mandatory fields for each object (especially tax/tariff fields relevant to Indonesia)?
Check other practical items: authentication (API key, HMAC, OAuth2), sandbox/test environment, rate limits, error handling, time-zones/currency support, tax compliance (PPN, e-faktur) etc.
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