Data Requests & Limits

Understanding Data Requests Limits

Limitations on the number of requests apply primarily to core data from the subscription, such as commodity prices, energy prices, costs, indexes, and factors.

Core data requests have monthly limits and count toward the subscription allowance. Monthly limits are explained separately for:

• Primary Commodity Prices
• Energy Prices & Markets
• Industry Economics Worldwide

Non-core requests do not count toward the limit and include:

• Sandbox requests — for testing and development purposes
• Informational operations — for checking assessment details such as available series and metadata

Use the sandbox environment for testing to avoid consuming your core data request allowance. The sandbox returns dummy negative values for safe testing, but it still requires a valid token and an eligible subscription with API access.

What is the difference between core and non-core data?

Core data includes prices, costs, indexes, and factors. Requests for core data count toward the monthly limit.

Non-core data includes sandbox data, informational queries, and usage tracking. Requests for non-core data do not count toward the monthly limit.

• An actual assessment value returned from a subscribed series is core data
• A dummy negative value returned by the sandbox is non-core data
• Usage tracking and series metadata are non-core data

What is "commodity price data request"?

A commodity price data request is an automatic call to retrieve specific commodity price assessment data. It can be made via the API, Power BI, or Excel Add-In.

• Available exclusively for Advanced Plan subscribers
• Each request counts toward the monthly data request limit

For instance, retrieving 2 Ethylene price assessments in Excel consumes 2 commodity price data requests each time the spreadsheet is updated.

What is "energy price data request"?

An energy price data request is an automatic call to retrieve specific energy price assessment data. It can be made via the API, Power BI, or Excel Add-In.

• Available exclusively for Advanced Plan subscribers
• Each request counts toward the monthly data request limit

For instance, retrieving 2 gasoline assessments in Excel consumes 2 energy price data requests each time the spreadsheet is updated.

What is "data request"?

An IEW data request is an automatic call to retrieve specific Industry Economics Worldwide assessment data. It can be made via the API, Power BI, or Excel Add-In.

• Available exclusively for Advanced Plan subscribers
• Each request counts toward the monthly data request limit

For instance, retrieving 1 cooling water assessment and 1 plant location factor assessment consumes 2 IEW data requests each time those values are updated.

How is the commodity price data requests limit applied?

Commodity price data requests are subject to a monthly limit per industry included in the subscription. The limit resets whenever new data is published according to the release schedule.

• The limit is non-cumulative — unused requests do not carry over to the next month
• Requests are not interchangeable between industries
• The limit applies to combined Excel Add-In, Power BI, and API usage

How it works in practice:

1. If a subscriber has access to one industry with a limit of 10 requests per month, retrieving 2 commodity price assessments leaves 8 requests for that same industry in the current cycle
2. If all requests are consumed, the subscriber must wait until the next release resets the allowance
3. Requests spent in Excel Add-In, Power BI, and API all draw from the same monthly pool

How is the energy price data requests limit applied?

Energy price data requests are subject to a monthly limit per country included in the subscription. The limit resets whenever new data is published according to the release schedule.

• The limit is non-cumulative — unused requests do not carry over to the next month
• Requests are not interchangeable between countries
• The limit applies to combined Excel Add-In, Power BI, and API usage

How it works in practice:

1. If a subscriber has access to one country with a limit of 10 requests per month, retrieving 2 energy price assessments leaves 8 requests for that country in the current cycle
2. If all requests are consumed, the subscriber must wait until the next release resets the allowance
3. Requests spent in Excel Add-In, Power BI, and API all draw from the same monthly pool

How is the request limit applied for IEW data?

Industry Economics Worldwide data requests are subject to a monthly limit per country included in the subscription. The limit resets whenever new data is published according to the release schedule.

• The limit is non-cumulative — unused requests do not carry over to the next month
• Requests are not interchangeable between countries
• The limit applies to combined Excel Add-In, Power BI, and API usage

How it works in practice:

1. If a subscriber has access to one country with a limit of 10 requests per month, retrieving 2 IEW assessments leaves 8 requests for that country in the current cycle
2. If all requests are consumed, the subscriber must wait until the next release resets the allowance
3. Requests spent in Excel Add-In, Power BI, and API all draw from the same monthly pool

Tips on how to avoid data request waste

Every time a user requests actual subscription data via API, Power BI, or Excel Add-In, a core data request is consumed. To make the most of the available monthly allowance, follow these practices:

1. Use the sandbox for testing and development Sandbox requests do not consume core data requests. In the API, sandbox operations use the /sandbox path. In the Excel Add-In, use the test connection option when validating requests.

2. Check the last update date before requesting core data Informational operations can confirm whether new data has been released before you spend a core request on unchanged values.

3. Save responses locally to avoid repeated requests for the same assessments

4. Follow the release schedule so you request data when a new release is actually available

5. Track your usage regularly to avoid exhausting the monthly allowance unexpectedly

How can I get more data requests?

You can add an Extra Automation Package at any time to increase your monthly data request limit.

1. Log in at www.intratec.us
2. Navigate to "Subscriptions Billing"
3. Click on "Upgrade Plan"
4. Select the Extra Automation Package

• You will pay the prorated difference for the remainder of the current billing period
• Once payment is confirmed, the higher request allowance becomes available for the new subscription term
• The Extra Automation Package cannot be purchased for a single month only

Is it possible to download Intratec data in spreadsheets?

Downloading Intratec data in spreadsheets is only available in the Ultimate Plan.

• Subscribers can log in, go to Your Products, and download ready-to-use spreadsheets from the user area
• New spreadsheets are uploaded monthly so the files stay current
• This feature is not available in Starter, Pro, or Advanced plans