Overview
The Entrata App Store is a major part of our philosophy of an open, easy-to-access platform. It creates a place for third-party vendors to connect to our platform seamlessly, giving our mutual customers a superior experience. The App Store gives property managers a single sign-on, allows their data to be pushed and pulled between Entrata and other vendors, and allows technology providers to present best-of-breed solutions in a centralized location where Entrata customers will be able to find the services that truly fit their needs.
Single Sign-On
Entrata is a single sign-on authority that allows vendors to implement OAuth 2.0. This allows customers to quickly log in to all their vendor access from one, easy-to-access interface.
How does it work?
You tell us what URL you want us to load when your user clicks on your app.
We load your URL in an iFrame (a mini, independent browser inside the Entrata interface). Using the OAuth 2.0 protocol, we exchange some authentication parameters so you can verify precisely which Entrata customer is accessing your system.
The first time a user clicks on your app, they must log in at least once. Because your login is served inside the iFrame, user credentials are not detected by our system, protecting you and your users from unauthorized access.
The authentication token has a 10 year expiration which will allow the user to safely stay perpetually logged in to your app. Even if an Entrata employee with administrative permissions logs in to an Entrata account and clicks on an installed app, the lack of necessary credentials and cookies will prevent authentication, denying any unauthorized access to the vendor account.
Data Access via Web Services
When a customer installs your app, they authorize you to access their data on their behalf. Once they log in to your site for the first time through the iFrame, you will have a token to access web services on their behalf. You will be able to push and pull data between our system and yours. In keeping with our philosophy, this access to data will be free and open. We will continue to add web services as needed in order to support third-party vendors. Customers will have the power to revoke access so that the real contract of data usage is between the customer and their chosen vendors. This gives our customers unprecedented power over their own data.
App Store Presence
The App Store provides a central place for customers to access their existing services and find new solutions. As one of our App Store vendors, your services will be visible and accessible to many management companies who are looking for ways to improve their business and processes. The App Store format allows you the opportunity to promote your products and allows for product discovery. When a customer is interested, they will be able to contact directly for more information. We can notify you when a customer installs your app, so you can work to optimize their onboarding experience. The App Store puts real power and freedom of choice back in the hands of the customer.