Why you Need to Integrate API Management into your Business Strategy
Big data is only getting bigger. But big data means different things to different people. It’s a storage and security headache to some, while to others it represents a huge opportunity in terms of its potential to enhance the human experience.
One of the most important sources of big data is the API. A simple API allows organizations to analyze massive amounts of data, adapt it into a usable format to control structure and access, and help you use that data for infinite possibilities.
Even better, when you open that API to third-party developers, new opportunities for revenue generation, new audiences, and greater innovation are realized.
Open your API to New Possibilities
Amazon is just one example of the API economy at work. By allowing developers to embed its API into their apps, consumers benefit from an integrated shopping experience on their preferred platform, while Amazon opens the doors to new revenue channels.
Download our paper on 3 Reasons to Integrate API Managment Into Your Business Strategy
API’s also enable the real-time sharing of the data that we often take for granted, but rely on implicitly. For instance, Earth Networks, the brand behind WeatherBug, uses its Pulse API to deliver data to developers and organizations seeking to incorporate trusted weather feeds into their apps and websites.
APIs also serve the public good. In the public sector, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), is able to maintain a focus on its key mission of delivering the best ridership service possible by exposing its API and welcoming developers to innovate new applications – such as a WMATA app for the vision-impaired.
Open APIs, However, Come with Risk
Any organization who opens the door to their back-end information could be looking at a security and management headache. How can you be sure the data is being shared with trusted people? How can you ensure that the apps being built on your API deliver the quality experience that your brand stands for?
Rather than opening up your API, crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, you need to manage it. API management, however, can be fraught with complexity. Rules must define who has access to what data. That data must also be protected from abuse and overuse. You also need to consider the needs and expectations of the developer community and deliver a seamless user experience.
It’s a challenge, but when confronted it’s one that organizations should and can face head-on.
Reaping the Benefits of a Managed API
Helping organizations realize the full potential of their API is something we run across frequently with our clients. Earth Networks, for example, turned to us to help them enhance the user experience of their Pulse API offering. Frustrated by its legacy API platforms, we migrated its API infrastructure to Microsoft Azure API Management, a cloud-based tool that allows organizations to manage their APIs from end-to-end and publish web services as APIs reliably, securely, and to scale.
It’s an interesting project that went way beyond its anticipated outcomes, resulting in significant automation of key administrative tasks, happier developers, new ecommerce opportunities, and nearly $200,000 in cost savings per-year. With proper API management, Earth Networks not only reaped technical gains, but palpable business outcomes. Read more about the case study here.
Then, check out these Top 3 Reasons to Integrate API Management into your Business Strategy. Written by our own subject matter experts, the paper offers useful insights into the benefits of opening up your API and tips for managing it effectively.
To learn how EastBanc Technologies’ API experts can help your organization thrive, contact:
Jill DaSilva | Director of Sales Operations | jdasilva@eastbanctech.com | 202-295-3010