Looks like the people have spoken: API is your best option! (thanks @Werner Stinckens​  @Chris Grabiel​  and @Bilal Aslam​ !)

@eni chante​ Let us know if you have questions about the API! If not, please mark one of the replies above as the "best answer"! That way we know the case is closed.

.....but also we would love to know what creative solutions you came up with via our API. Feel free to reply below, share the knowledge! Talk soon.