To sync data between two applications, an integration app needs a user login in each application. Each endpoint can use a dedicated license (a login used only by the integration app) or a shared license (a login the integration app shares with a person). Celigo recommends a dedicated license, especially during implementation. This article explains the difference and the trade-offs so you can decide which to use. For NetSuite, connect using token-based authentication; see Change your NetSuite connection to token-based authentication.
Terms
- User login: The credentials (username and password) used to sign in to your application.
- User license: The permission a software license grants an end user to use the software. In this article, one license corresponds to one username and password.
- Dedicated license: One license per user. Each person, or the integration app, signs in with their own username or email.
- Shared license: Two or more users sign in to the application with the same credentials.
Advantages of a dedicated license
Fewer sign-in conflicts
Some applications allow only one active session per login. In NetSuite, for example, if a second person signs in with the same username and password, the first person is signed out. This can happen when you use a NetSuite login for testing, or for business work in production, while a Celigo Technical Implementation Consultant signs in with the same login to follow up on your test results. The integration app still needs a login in both systems after go-live.
Note: The integration app itself doesn't cause these conflicts. When a person shares a NetSuite login with the integration app, neither is signed out, because the NetSuite user interface and API sessions don't sign each other out.
Better visibility for auditing
With a dedicated license, you can see which changes to records the integration app made. With a shared login, most reports and monitoring tools can't tell data the integration app created or updated from data the person created or updated.
Disadvantage of a dedicated license: cost
Many applications, including NetSuite, charge per user license. In those applications, sharing a license between the integration app and a person costs less than buying a dedicated license for the integration app.
Weigh these trade-offs to decide whether the integration app shares a user login or has its own license.