The UiPath Integration Service is a feature of Automation Cloud that allows you to connect to various external applications and systems using predefined connectors. A connector is a component that provides the logic and interface for interacting with a specific application or system. A connection is an instance of a connector that is configured with the credentials and parameters required to access the application or system.
The role of connections in the UiPath Integration Service is to establish tasks and exchanges between users and external applications using the authentication process of the API provider. An API provider is a service that exposes an application programming interface (API) for accessing and manipulating data and functionality of an application or system. For example, Microsoft Outlook 365, Salesforce, and Google Sheets are some of the API providers that have connectors in the UiPath Integration Service.
To create a connection, you need to select a connector and provide the authentication details for the API provider. The authentication process may vary depending on the type and security level of the API provider. For example, some API providers may use OAuth 2.0, which is a standard protocol for authorizing access to resources on behalf of a user. Other API providers may use API keys, which are unique identifiers that are used to authenticate requests to the API.
Once you create a connection, you can use it to perform various tasks and exchanges with the external application or system. For example, you can use the Microsoft Outlook 365 connector to send and receive emails, create and update calendar events, and manage contacts. You can use the Salesforce connector to create and update records, execute queries, and invoke actions. You can use the Google Sheets connector to read and write data, format cells, and manage worksheets.
You can use the connections in your automation workflows in UiPath Studio, UiPath Apps, UiPath Assistant, and UiPath Test Suite. You can also manage and share your connections in UiPath Orchestrator, using the folder structure and permission system.
[References: Integration Service - Introduction - UiPath Documentation Portal, Integration Service - Connections - UiPath Documentation Portal, New UiPath Integration Service | UiPath, , , , , , ]
