Best Practices: Optimizing Auth0 M2M Token Usage for the PartsManager Office API

Important Note: PartsLedger is now PartsManager. PartsManager retains all of the parts purchasing and warehouse management automation benefits of its predecessor. To read more about this exciting change, click here.

This guide is specifically tailored for users working with our PartsManager Office API using Auth0 machine-to-machine (M2M) authentication tokens.

This article will walk users through FAQs and best practices that will ensure a smooth integration experience.

Why should I be careful about token generation and usage?

Every Auth0 login provides you with a token, valid for 24 hours. Over-generating tokens can not only lead to unnecessary usage but, when the token usage limit is exceeded, results in temporary disablement.

How often should I generate a new token?

The golden rule: One day, one token. Remember, a token has a 24-hour life. So, fetch it once and use it for various processes throughout its validity.

What happens if I exceed the token usage limit?

We have set a maximum limit of 35 tokens per month.

If you exceed this, your access will be temporarily disabled. This precaution is taken to safeguard our billing process and to ensure the service remains stable and accessible for all users.

For reference, most integrations usually use fewer than 10 tokens each month. By staying within this range, you'll be in line with the majority of our customers, ensuring optimal service utilization and seamless integration.

Any tips to avoid hitting the token limit?

If you find that certain processes or components are generating excessive tokens, consider refactoring or restructuring your approach.

How can I efficiently utilize the tokens for repetitive tasks?

For users working on tasks like looping over a list of jobs, it might seem intuitive to log in and fetch a token for each iteration. But this is where efficiency takes a hit. Grab the token once, then reuse it throughout your tasks, making your code cleaner and more effective.

How should I handle token usage in serverless or multi-component architectures?

Serverless functions, such as AWS Lambda, can trigger at different times, often without shared states. While each function logging in separately sounds easy, it can become costly.

The solution?

Use caching systems such as Redis in AWS or DynamoDB. Before seeking a new token, check the cache first. If an active token exists, use it.

When dealing with multiple components, introduce a caching layer, like Redis. This ensures that the Auth0 token can be stored and reused across components, minimizing the frequency of logins.