API’s are one of the keys to digital transformation, but what about real life API’s??

I recently had the pleasure of chairing a round-table discussion focusing on API’s, understanding “How to unlock digital innovation with APIs, operate securely, and accelerate delivery”.

The roundtable was delivered in partnership with Google and their API business Apigee. We had five senior IT and digital leaders from the likes of Wells Fargo, General Motors, UPS and Ecolab to discuss how to drive business transformation with a comprehensive API program, building and delivering modern applications, and how to operate all of this in a multi- and hybrid-cloud world.

While we were having a wonderful discussion, reviewing their respective API plans and journeys, it struck me how API’s bring together critical apps, data and systems and how we play a very similar role in the work we do at GDS Group– We are a human API.

Some of the key discussion points we were covering included;

·       How to unlock innovation, operate securely, and accelerate delivery with APIs

·       How to execute with data

·       How to leverage ecosystems

·       Make it real: pragmatic examples from innovative businesses

Of course, all of these are critical considerations when utilising API’s as part of an IT transformation journey, but interestingly when you apply the same discussion to the human element of transformation (not just IT) the same is true.

·       How to unlock innovation? New ideas, new partnerships and new skills drive new profits, but how do you find these and unlock and implement those ideas in a rapidly changing environment?

·       How to execute with data? Data is your network in the human world, how do you find the right people to connect to and how do you identify the right people for you to add to your network (data)?

·       How to leverage ecosystems? So you have a network and an ecosystem of people and businesses you know, but how do you get the best out of those connections, how do you get to speak to the right part of the ecosystem at the right time?

·       Make it real: pragmatic examples from innovative businesses? - Peer review and discussion is a hugely important part of anyone’s transformation journey, learning from others and testing ideas with knowledgeable peers is invaluable in delivering successful projects/change.

“Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” Otto Von Bismarck

So are we the human API....?

GDS Group are leaders in supporting digital transformation, bringing together industry leaders to discuss, debate and discover paths to realise IT Transformation.

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The Human API? Maybe, Maybe not, but one thing is for sure, making the right connections and partners has never been more critical to delivering any transformation efficiently and we are uniquely placed to support you.... If you are an IT leaders leading transformation or if you have innovative IT solutions that can aid enterprise transformation journeys then..... Talk to us...

See below a few technology trends we have identified from the recent CIO EU summit based on the intelligence gathered from the CIO's and our advisory board -next one is taking place in November - CIO EU Summit November 2018

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