# Connectors

In Frends, we have Tasks instead of what is more commonly known as connectors, that perform actions towards other systems. Each Process also requires a starting condition or event listener to start, which is done using Triggers in Frends.

## Frends Tasks

Frends Tasks are the building blocks of integration processes, enabling seamless automation of workflows. Each Task is a specific operation, such as reading a file, making an API call, or manipulating data. Designed for flexibility, Tasks can be connected and configured to accomplish complex integration scenarios with minimal code.

Tasks in Frends are highly configurable and reusable, allowing for efficient orchestration and scalability of automation operations. Their modular nature ensures that Tasks can be tailored to fit specific business requirements, helping mitigate integration complexities.

<figure><img src="https://421307484-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQI65mBosbdweu563CvPI%2Fuploads%2FO6UwsOd4LKia0diB8In7%2Fscreenshot-rocks%20(15).png?alt=media&#x26;token=2ec47cd0-a5c7-43a0-9e69-b21004ec1fc6" alt="HTTP Request task can be used to make HTTP requests to APIs."><figcaption><p>HTTP Task is used to make HTTP requests to APIs to send or query data.</p></figcaption></figure>

Due to the platform's flexibility, in case there are no suitable Tasks already available to your specific use case or target system, the Tasks can easily be created and added to your Frends Tenant. From [https://tasks.frends.com](https://tasks.frends.com/) you can request for an Official Task to be made, and contacting your favourite sales person or account manager you can also request a Custom Task to be made just for you.&#x20;

Our Tasks are also open source, so anyone can pull the C# source code for a Task from GitHub and make it their own. Importing the Tasks is done using NuGet packages, and NuGet feeds can also be used to automate publication from your development pipeline.&#x20;

For example, Tasks exist for at least the following target systems and technologies to perform integrations with:

{% columns %}
{% column %}
**Protocols & Messaging**

* HTTP, FTP, SFTP, AMQP, GraphQL
* JSON, XML, EDIFACT, CSV, Fixed Width Flat Files

**Cloud Services**

* AWS
* Azure
* Google Cloud

**Data & Analytics**

* Databricks, Analytics Cloud, Celonis
* Excel, JSON, Avro

**Finance & Payments**

* BILL, Expensify, Chargify, FinancialForce

**AI & ML**

* Google Dialogflow, Google Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Vision
  {% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
**ERP & CRM**

* Salesforce, HubSpot, Capsule CRM, Insightly, Zoho, Anaplan

**File & Content Management**

* Dropbox, Box, Egnyte, Bynder, BrickFTP

**Project & Workflow Tools**

* JIRA, Asana, Basecamp, Hive, Trello

**Messaging & Communication**

* Gmail, Exchange, Intercom, Facebook Lead Ads, Instagram

**Utilities & DevOps**

* GitHub, Codeship, Confluence, BambooHR
  {% endcolumn %}
  {% endcolumns %}

You can learn more about Tasks [here](https://app.gitbook.com/s/1H5SQ92uIfBOYNIeoUAc/shapes/activity-shapes/task).

## Frends Triggers

Frends Triggers initiate action within the integration system, responding to external events or scheduling needs. They act as the "listener" components, waiting for specified conditions to occur—such as receiving a new message, elapsed time intervals, or API calls—before executing a set of Tasks.

The configurability of Triggers allows them to handle various input types and scenarios. This ensures that the right Tasks and Processes are executed precisely when needed, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency.

<figure><img src="https://421307484-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQI65mBosbdweu563CvPI%2Fuploads%2FnglOEpJGd0LGpKavvFdb%2Fscreenshot-rocks%20(16).png?alt=media&#x26;token=70b4c772-65a8-487f-b4f9-64b25cf63ab9" alt="Schedule trigger is used to run process according to date and time."><figcaption><p>Schedule Trigger is used to run the Process according to date and time.</p></figcaption></figure>

Together, Tasks and Triggers form the backbone of the Frends platform, enabling adaptable and robust system integrations. This empowers businesses to automate and streamline operations, resulting in increased productivity and reduced operational costs.

You can learn more about Triggers [here](https://app.gitbook.com/s/1H5SQ92uIfBOYNIeoUAc/shapes/event-shapes/trigger).