Why Should You Use APIs?
An API (application programming interface) is code that makes it possible for digital devices, software applications and data servers to communicate with each other. APIs are the backbone of many of the services we now rely on in our everyday lives.
APIs help you access the data that’s needed for you to get work and daily tasks done, while also helping departments and teams across your organisation become more agile.
As the function of an API is to integrate systems and provide data, there are many ways a company can benefit using APIs.
Discussed below are some of the main reasons organisations use APIs.
Effective System Integration
One of the main reasons developers use APIs is to integrate systems. APIs can allow content to be embedded from any site or application easily, resulting in fluid information delivery and an integrated experience for users.
An example of effective system integration using APIs is integrating your organisation’s CRM (Customer Relationship Management) or CDP (Customer Data Platform) system with an automated marketing system. The API can help the CRM/CDP send information to and from the automated system, allowing for in-depth engagement with customers to take place.
More effective system integration results in better data management, while also increasing productivity.
Reduced Costs
APIs help reduce operating costs for organisations by automating functions that were previously done manually.
They also help reduce software development costs. As developers can build reusable components when working on multiple projects, this can dramatically reduce the costs involved as elements aren’t being built from scratch with each project.
With APIs in use, organisations can benefit from reduced costs as systems become less architecturally complex, meaning changes can be made more easily.
Speed
Use of APIs in your organisation will result in efficiency improvements when it comes to speed. Legacy systems are slower in their response time as they are often siloed across departments. APIs offer a speed-enabling technological advantage for organisations.
Not only do APIs allow departments acquire data faster, but they also allow the speeding up of development processes for software teams. Developers can speed up software and system development by eliminating dependencies on code reviews and testing.
Increased development speed helps alleviate pressure on developers, APIs can also improve the developer experience by allowing frontend and backend teams to work in parallel. Rather than creating everything from scratch with each project, using an API hosted by a third party can substantially reduce the labour requirements for software development and IT departments.
Integrating third-party APIs allow companies to outsource parts of the business process for a fraction of the cost of building the same in-house capabilities, while also allowing developers to focus on more important aspects of projects.
Improved Security
Security is enhanced using APIs. When a request is sent, you aren’t being directly linked to a server. You send small amounts of information, the API delivers it, and the server sends the information back.
This ultimately helps minimise the risk of a data breach or of someone accessing the backend of a server.
Research indicates that 72% of organisation categorise API integration as “critical” or “very critical” to their businesses and IT infrastructures. Not only are business leaders seeing the importance of API integration for cutting costs, but they also recognise the benefits with regards to speed, collaboration, and innovation.
Are you considering an API integration project in 2022? Be sure to check out our API Services. Contact us today on +353 1 8041298 or get in touch below!
