Zapier is an innovative solution which overcomes a common challenge of how to connect together business tools in a useful, automated way - without code. While you would normally need the help of a developer to make APIs interoperate between tools, for many organizations this is a significant barrier in terms of time and effort. Of course, there are many tools which haven't been integrated before, due to the number of permutations of different tools in use.
Using Zapier, you can connect Chorus with other applications you already use, such as social media services, CRM software, accounting or HR tools. It provides a code-free service to allow you to link tools together to provide automation, and supports over 3000 applications.
You can read more about Zapier here: https://zapier.com/how-it-works
Third Light Chorus is listed in the Zapier app store here: https://zapier.com/apps/third-light-chorus/integrations
Here are some possibilities to get you started:
Connect your Gmail account to Chorus - an 'email to upload' too: https://zapier.com/apps/gmail/integrations/third-light-chorus
When a file meets a condition (e.g. expiry date) in Chorus, create a Trello card: https://zapier.com/apps/third-light-chorus/integrations/trello
Connect Google Drive to Chorus: https://zapier.com/apps/third-light-chorus/integrations/google-drive
Send Tweets directly from Chorus - or upload Tweets to Chorus: https://zapier.com/apps/third-light-chorus/integrations/twitter
Log changes in Chorus to a Google Sheet: https://zapier.com/apps/third-light-chorus/integrations/google-sheets
When Salesforce records change, update Chorus metadata: https://zapier.com/apps/third-light-chorus/integrations/salesforce
Zapier is so powerful, and supports so many possible integrations, that it's hard for us to cover every possibility. Please be sure to make contact with our Customer Success team, who have experience in how to make the most of Zapier and can help you get started. Email: [email protected]!
Providing Chorus API keys
When Zapier connects to Chorus, it needs to use API keys to authenticate. You make an API key for Zapier by logging into your Chorus account, clicking on your user profile, and then expanding the "More actions" link to the right of your account.
Note that if your Chorus site does not have the API Module enabled, this option will not be displayed. You can request an evaluation license for the API Module by contacting your Third Light account manager.
Click on "API Keys" and add a key for Zapier. You will then be given the API key, which you can use when you need to authenticate Zapier.
In certain cases, you may wish to use an API key with a 'service' account. This is a user account in Chorus which is not normally used by a real person, and is only added to make API calls. In this case, you would add a user called "Zapier" to Chorus and then assign the user to spaces where you want to use Zapier, and obtain an API key by temporarily logging into the service account to prepare it (as above). The advantage of a service account is that it provides a reliable way to limit Zapier to particular spaces, including using permissions and roles features of Chorus if required, without limiting your personal account.
Lastly, Chorus also supports site-wide and space-wide API keys, if required. In general we do not recommend using site API keys, as this level of access is not typically needed to use Zapier.
How to get Chorus Globally Unique IDs (GUIDs) for use in Zapier
Zapier often needs to identify folders, Smart Collections and Collections. These are identified using globally unique IDs, or GUIDs. When you need the GUID of a folder you can retrieve it from the Chorus user interface, as follows.
First, locate the folder and select it by single-clicking on the folder name. In the toolbar on the right click 'Edit'. This opens the folder editor.
Then, look for the "Actions" menu on the right hand side of the page.
Click the GUID button to retrieve the value for this folder. You can place it directly into your clipboard for use in the Zapier workflow editor.
Requirements
To use the Zapier service you will need:
- Chorus v3.4 or higher
- The API module (contact your account manager to obtain an evaluation license if this is the first time you've needed to use the API)
- A Zapier account. The free version of Zapier is sufficient for many small integrations, and Zapier offers affordable packages for more complex solutions.
