PollenOps API: Connecting Your Custom Tools to the Platform

Large operations often have proprietary tools that need to connect to PollenOps data. Enterprise API access enables custom dashboards, accounting integrations, and IoT sensor connections that extend PollenOps beyond its native interface.

The PollenOps API is a RESTful API that provides programmatic access to your operation's data. It's available on the commercial plan and designed for operations that have outgrown the native PollenOps interface for specific workflows.

TL;DR

• Commercial beekeeping operations that manage contracts on spreadsheets and phone calls spend 5-10 hours per week on administrative tasks that software handles automatically.
• Purpose-built beekeeping software centralizes contract lifecycle management, yard records, health documentation, and fleet logistics in one platform.
• The primary ROI drivers for operations software are fewer contract disputes, faster invoicing, and reduced time spent on administrative coordination.
• PollenOps is built specifically for commercial-scale pollination operations; it is not a hobbyist platform adapted for commercial use.
• Moving from spreadsheets to dedicated software typically pays for itself within one season in time savings and dispute prevention.

What the PollenOps API Enables

Custom Dashboards

Operations with complex reporting needs sometimes want to pull PollenOps data into custom visualizations that go beyond the native dashboard.

Common use cases:

• A 5,000-hive operation that wants to display contract status, colony health metrics, and fleet position on a single custom operations dashboard
• An operation that integrates PollenOps contract data with weather forecasts and custom risk models
• Multi-operation enterprises that want to aggregate data across multiple PollenOps accounts

The API provides read access to all core data types: contracts, yards, health assessments, deliveries, and fleet positions. A developer can pull this data into any visualization platform (Tableau, Power BI, custom web apps, etc.).

Accounting System Integration

PollenOps invoicing is purpose-built for pollination contracts. But many large operations run enterprise accounting systems (QuickBooks Enterprise, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, or custom ERPs) that need invoice data in a specific format.

The API enables:

• Automatic export of invoice records to your accounting system when they're generated
• Two-way sync of payment status between your accounting system and PollenOps
• Custom P&L reporting that combines PollenOps contract revenue with your full cost structure

IoT Sensor Integration

Commercial operations using IoT-based hive monitoring hardware can connect sensor data to PollenOps through the API.

Types of sensor data the API supports:

• Temperature and humidity readings from in-hive sensors
• Weight sensor data from hive scale systems
• Acoustic data from audio monitoring systems (if not using PollenOps-native acoustic integration)
• GPS data from custom tracking devices

When sensor data flows into PollenOps via API, it's treated the same as native monitoring data: it can trigger health alerts, flag contract risk, and appear in your health module dashboard.

Custom Mobile Apps

Some large operations have developed proprietary field apps for their crew workflows. These apps can connect to PollenOps via API to:

• Read contract and yard data to inform field crew decisions
• Write assessment records to PollenOps from custom inspection interfaces
• Push delivery records into PollenOps from custom driver apps

Webhook Notifications

Beyond polling the API for data, PollenOps supports webhooks that push notifications to external systems when events occur:

• Contract status changes (executed, delivered, completed, invoiced)
• Health alerts triggered
• Bloom timing alerts fired
• Payment status updates

Webhooks enable real-time event-driven integrations without requiring your systems to poll the PollenOps API on a schedule.

API Access and Authentication

The PollenOps API uses token-based authentication (OAuth 2.0). Each API credential is scoped to specific data types and access levels:

• Read-only credentials: For reporting and monitoring integrations
• Read-write credentials: For full integration with data entry systems
• Webhook credentials: For event subscription setup

API credentials are managed in your PollenOps account settings under Developer > API Access.

Rate Limits and Data Access

The API is designed for operational use, not data mining. Current rate limits:

• Standard: 1,000 requests per hour per credential
• Enterprise: 10,000 requests per hour (available on request for large operations)

All data accessible in the PollenOps native interface is available through the API. Historical data access is limited to the account's subscription period.

Getting Started

For operations interested in API access:

1. Confirm you're on the PollenOps commercial plan (API access requires commercial subscription)
2. Go to Settings > Developer > API Access
3. Generate your first API credential
4. Download the PollenOps API reference documentation
5. Connect to the sandbox environment for development and testing before going live

The PollenOps developer documentation includes example code in Python, JavaScript, and Ruby for common integration patterns.

For the PollenOps enterprise plan features that include full API access and enterprise support, see the enterprise plan documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with the PollenOps API?

The PollenOps API provides read and write access to all core data in your account: contracts, yards, health assessments, delivery records, fleet positions, invoices, and bloom alerts. You can build custom dashboards that pull PollenOps data into external visualization tools, sync invoice data with your accounting system, connect IoT sensor hardware to PollenOps health monitoring, build custom mobile apps for field crew that write data back to PollenOps, and set up webhook notifications that trigger actions in external systems when PollenOps events occur. The API is designed for operations that have specific integration needs beyond the native PollenOps interface.

Does PollenOps support custom webhook integrations?

Yes. PollenOps webhooks allow you to subscribe to specific events and receive HTTP notifications when those events occur: contract status changes, health alerts, bloom timing alerts, payment status updates, and delivery record creation. Webhook endpoints are configured in your developer settings with your destination URL and authentication method. When a subscribed event fires, PollenOps sends a POST request to your endpoint with the event data in JSON format. Webhooks enable event-driven integrations that don't require polling the API on a schedule, which is more efficient for real-time notification systems.

Is API access available on the Starter plan or only Enterprise?

API access is available on the PollenOps commercial plan ($89/month) and above. The Starter plan does not include API access. Standard API access on the commercial plan includes 1,000 requests per hour per credential and access to all core data types. For operations requiring higher rate limits (10,000 requests per hour) or dedicated integration support, enterprise plan options are available. Contact PollenOps sales for enterprise API requirements.

What does purpose-built commercial beekeeping software do that a spreadsheet cannot?

Dedicated software connects data across your operation in ways spreadsheets cannot: a contract record links to the specific hives assigned to it, which links to the yard location, which links to health inspection records and treatment logs. When a grower calls to dispute a hive count, you can pull the delivery record, timestamped photos, and GPS-confirmed location in 30 seconds rather than searching three spreadsheets and an email thread. This integration is where the time savings and dispute-prevention value comes from.

How long does it take to migrate from spreadsheets to beekeeping software?

Most commercial operators complete the core migration in 2-4 weeks, starting with current contract records and active yard locations. Historical data (past seasons' inspection records, old contracts) can be migrated over time rather than all at once. The practical recommendation is to start with the current season's live data and add historical records as time allows. The operational improvement from having current data in the system is immediate; the historical data adds analytical depth over subsequent seasons.

Is there a free trial available for PollenOps?

Contact PollenOps directly to confirm current trial and demo options. Most commercial operators benefit from a walkthrough of the contract management and yard tracking modules against their own operation's data before committing, since the fit between the platform and your specific circuit and crop mix is the most important evaluation factor.

Sources

• USDA Agricultural Research Service
• Bee Informed Partnership
• American Beekeeping Federation (ABF)
• American Honey Producers Association
• Project Apis m.

Get Started with PollenOps

Commercial beekeeping operations that move from spreadsheets to purpose-built software consistently report fewer disputes, faster invoicing, and less time on administrative work during peak season. PollenOps is built specifically for commercial-scale pollination operations. See how the platform fits your operation.