APIs and Digital Transformation
What is an API?
There is a clear relation between APIs and the transformation from “papers and and humans†to “computers and software developersâ€.
The "API" is not just the next IT concept that promises to make more money. A lot of internet based companies cannot exist without it. It is also not something you can buy; you have to build it als an integral part of your business.
Why should I want it?
If you feel this "digital stuff" could help your business, keep reading. Otherwise, don't bother.
Just a few examples of companies, that deliver physical 'stuff', and use APIs.
https://developers.bol.com
Still wondering what an API is?
An API is a connection (interface) that can be used by others to communicate with your business. Digitally. If your company offers several business services, your company will most likely have several of these APIs.
API is short for Application Programming Interface. Yes, IT people like three letter acronyms (TLA). So, the ‘P’ in API stands for Programming. This means that the user of the API (your customer or business partner) has to do some programming. But that is no problem; your customers will have software developers on the payroll. If not, they can still order your service manually (by mail, by phone, fax, etc). But you could consider to charge less for a digital order.
If your customer connects to your business services digitally, you can handle the requests (e.g. an order, order status, product information) digitally. Just as with the picture above, an API has a well defined interface - in this case several industry standards apply : RJ45, Ethernet (802.3) and TCP/IP. This ensures correct requests with less chance for incorrect requests. These industry standards makes it easier for your customers to use it.
So in short, the API is a digital interface, for automated processing of requests, that can be made available over the internet. It is an addition to paper forms, telephone, fax, e-mail and webforms. Depending on your business, it can replace all of the above.
Let’s get technical (synonym for “skip if too difficultâ€)
What is an API really? It used to be pieces of software (e.g. DLL, SDK) that could be used to communicate with your own IT system. Later on, distributed, TCP based techniques like RPC, CORBA and DCOM were introduced, but they were still meant for the communication with (or between) your own systems. RPCs got replaced by web services. Webservices rely on the same technology as websites and can thus be made available over the internet. Nowadays, an API is a synonym for (a set of) webservice(s).
OutSystems Tech Lead at Eneco
7 å¹´Good read. We really love those three letter words, here is another IoT(Internet of things). I think with the introduction of IoT, API's will even have a more crucial role to play, maybe even inseparable.