Zendesk API

This will require Data Admin privileges to setup and Builder for implementation.

iDashboards is able to connect to a Zendesk API by using a Premium Data Connector (CDATA JDBC driver). A JDBC driver is a software component enabling a Java application to interact with a database. To connect with individual databases, JDBC (Java Database Connectivity API) requires specific drivers for each database. The JDBC driver gives out the connection to the database and implements the protocol for transferring the query and result between the client and the database. iDashboards implements native protocols and does not require additional software installed on the driver host. In other words, iDashboards provides driver connectivity with the JDBC Data Source via the specified driver. This document explains a step-by-step procedure to create the Data Source with a Premium Data Connector.

CDATA for Zendesk

CData JDBC Driver for Zendesk is where we get the documentation on making this connection, however, the Premium Data Connector documentation is not straight forward which is why we make articles like this to help you make the connections more easily. This one requires a few steps, with a few different links to get very specific pieces of information to make this connection within iDashboards. The Zendesk API is part of the Premium Data Connectors if you do not have these please contact your Client Success Manager. 

Data Connection

To get started you will need: Admin access to Zendesk, Admin email and an API Token

1. To generate your API Token please follow the Zendesk's Generating a new API token directions. 
   • Once you have the API token you can now create a new Data Source in iDashboards.
   • Follow the steps below to set up a data source in iDashboards Admin or Data Hub.
2. Select Data Sources
3. Then click New
4. For Data Source Type select Generic JDBC
5. Now in the Create a Data Source window you can fill in the highlighted fields:
   • • Data Source: Zendesk Database
     • DB.URL: jdbc:zendesk:User=AdminEmailAccount;ApiToken=MyAPIToken;
       • Update the User with the admin's Email address and the ApiToken with the token you received from Zendesk.
     • Optional Driver Properties: URL=https://MYcompanyAccount.zendesk.com;
       • Update the Company Name with your default Zendesk account name.
     • JDBC Driver Class: cdata.jdbc.zendesk.ZendeskDriver
     • Check Quote table and Column Name and Allow Custom Queries
6. Now Save your new Data Source

Feel free to download our Zendesk Dashboard Pack for pre-made Zendesk Dashboards.

For More Information:

• Creating a Database URL (Connection String)
• Zendesk API Documentation
• iDashboards Admin Manual 10. Managing Data Sources

Disclaimer: iDashboards Technical Support Engineers are not proficient in the Management and Integration of every API that exists as new APIs are being created everyday with each company that wants to provide seamless integration with other software. However, we do our best to help you make these connections because we want to assist you in your success. If you do not see an article for a connection you would like to make please contact iDashboards Support and know that it will take a bit of time to figure out what is necessary for this integration.

If the above is unable to resolve the issue, then please contact iDashboards Support for further assistance.