Get started with n8n + HIPE

Who this page is for

This page is written for both:

• Business & C‑level stakeholders who want to understand the scope and impact of an n8n integration with HIPE.
• Technical teams who will install, secure, and operate n8n and build the actual workflows.

n8n is the ETL and workflow automation layer we use with HIPE. Instead of building and maintaining one‑off custom integrations, we rely on:

• Reusable HIPE nodes in n8n (@packitoo/n8n-nodes-hipe).
• Ready‑to‑use example workflows, which can be imported, adapted, and maintained over time.

Several HIPE customers already run n8n integrations in production, with n8n connecting to their internal systems (for example, MySQL databases, ERPs, CRMs) inside a private network, and calling HIPE only via its HTTP API.

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Prerequisites

Before building an integration, we recommend aligning on the following.

• n8n instance

  • You run your own n8n, hosted inside your infrastructure.
  • For installation options, see the official docs: docs.n8n.io and Choose your installation method.
  • For most teams, we recommend the Docker installation.

• Security & network model

  • Access from n8n to HIPE (HTTP API) and to your internal systems (databases, ERPs, CRMs, file servers) is done via a VPN or private network.
  • n8n is not exposed directly to the public internet; access is segmented inside your infrastructure.

• HIPE access

  • A HIPE environment (production and/or sandbox).
  • One or more API tokens for the @packitoo/n8n-nodes-hipe module (see Create an access token).
  • (Optional) A database account if you plan to use the direct MySQL pattern.

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High‑level steps

1. Install n8n and choose your hosting model
   Follow the official n8n documentation to install and operate n8n in your environment.

2. Install the HIPE community node
   Use the Community Nodes feature in n8n to install @packitoo/n8n-nodes-hipe and restart n8n.
   See: Install n8n and the HIPE node.

3. Configure HIPE credentials

   • Create a HIPE access token.
   • Configure HIPE credentials in n8n and test the connection.
     Authentication details and testing steps are documented in the n8n‑nodes‑hipe README and in our create access token guide.

4. Pick an integration pattern
   Decide how n8n will talk to HIPE, depending on your constraints:

   • HIPE API via the HIPE node (most common, token‑based).
   • Direct database access to your systems (for example, MySQL) inside your private network, combined with HIPE API calls from n8n.
   • Event/webhook‑driven flows using HIPE webhooks and n8n triggers.

   See: Integration patterns with n8n.

5. Import and adapt example workflows
   Use the ready‑made workflows from the examples/ directory of the GitHub repository:

   • Packitoo/n8n-nodes-hipe – examples

   These cover common use cases (managing companies, contacts, projects, imports/exports) and can be adapted to your CRM, ERP, or data‑warehouse.

6. Define an operating model
   Align internally on who:

   • Owns n8n platform operations (upgrades, monitoring, backups).
   • Owns data mappings and workflow maintenance.
   • Coordinates with HIPE support for changes and troubleshooting.

For bidirectional syncs, make sure each external system has a stable field (for example, a custom column) to store the corresponding HIPE identifier or externalId, so records can be matched reliably over time.

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Support and remote access

For HIPE to efficiently support your n8n integration, we recommend a controlled remote‑access process to your n8n instance, always within your security rules. Typical approaches include:

• VPN access (preferred).
• Access through bastion/jump hosts.
• Secure remote desktop into a jump server in your network.

The objective is to keep all sensitive traffic inside your private network, while still allowing us to help you diagnose and improve workflows when needed.

If you plan a project around n8n, please involve your security and infrastructure teams early so we can validate the setup together.

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Project kick‑off checklist (technical)

When you are ready to start an integration project, we recommend validating:

• Systems and scope – Which source/target systems are in scope (ERP, CRM, databases, files) and which HIPE entities they touch.
• Direction of flows – For each use case, is the flow one‑way or bidirectional?
• Identifier mapping – Where HIPE IDs / externalId will be stored in your systems, and how conflicts/duplicates are handled.
• Environments – Which HIPE and n8n environments will be used (sandbox, staging, production).
• Access & connectivity – VPN, firewalls, DNS, and how n8n reaches HIPE and your internal systems.
• Run/ops model – Who monitors workflows, handles incidents, and reviews changes before deployment.