The app development process starts with an idea and ends with a production-ready app. The following section provides a high-level walkthrough of this process.
Develop and deploy an app
1. Browse examples of existing civic engagement and agency productivity apps to see how others use Accela data. See https://github.com/Accela-Inc for sample apps. The Accela Blog also has articles that highlight what customers have done with the Accela API.
2. Identify an agency or citizen problem space that relates to an agency practice area (see Accela solutions).
Note: When developing an app against a specific Accela Automation instance, be aware of the specific record types and workflows in use for that environment. The configuration of the Accela Automation instance your app works against determines the functionality you can expose through your app. An app developed against one Accela Automation instance may or may not work against another Accela Automation instance. |
Note: Your app can access data sources not directly tied to Accela Automation. |
3. Depending on your chosen technology stack, there might be an available SDK or client library to help expedite your development. You can browse what is available on here: https://github.com/Accela-Inc.
4. Register your new app. If your app will be used by agency staff, register it as an agency app; if citizens will use your app, register it as a citizen app.
5. Request an API test token.
6. Develop and test your app with the Accela developer sandbox site. Once the required developer agreements have been executed, if need be you can contact the Developer Evangelist team (developers@accela.com) to request a sandbox specifically for your team.
7. Deploy your app in the appropriate marketplace or license the app for internal agency uses.