Automation Through API Based Systems

Large companies need scaleable, yet flexible IT systems in order to compete in the digital age. 

Application Programming Interfaces (API) have positioned itself as a core element for modernization for many businesses.

API-driven process automation is the most contemporary and modern practice when approaching process automation. It consists of replacing what would typically be a human-based task with calls to an API. Simply put, API supports in simplifying the digitization journey, diving the efficiencies and communicate effectively by integrating disparate IT systems. This helps in delivering seamless end-to-end customer experience. 

One of the most common examples of this automation is where a task would typically involve a human entering data or retrieving data from an application based systems. Human participation can be removed from these tasks if the same functionality in the specific application’s user interface can be accessed by the applications set of APIs.

So, Where To Start?

Determining which APIs to build requires identifying two elements: what can enable important customer-facing applications, and which can build a firm technical foundation. Keeping this in mind, technology professionals can focus API development based on the wider business strategy, along with keeping modernization in mind and the ability to execute.

Assessing the customer journey is always a good place to start thinking about which APIs to build. This focus on journeys can help identify which APIs can join different systems to deliver a hassle-free customer experience through the entire portfolio. 

What Should API Teams Look Like?

An agile operating model is imperative and would thus need to be taken into consideration by the API team. This requires a shift from the typical API building as a set of one-off efforts and treating each API as if it were an individual, growing entity (that will grow and improve over time in-tune with the relevant customer feedback).

API teams should be structured to have a product owner to ensure high-value APIs are at the forefront. An API architect ensures technical standards are being met in tune with best practices. Scrum masters ensure that each team use a test-and-learn approach through iterations to build APIs faster with time. Once the business has prioritized all high-value APIs, the priority items get assigned to scrum teams, which thereafter create APIs within the iteration period, allowing seamless testing with end users and transition to production environment.

How To Ensure Business Value

It is said that leading organizations are defining their API taxonomy in a way that “creates a common language that’s understood by both business and technical units.” The key is to determine which APIs serve the business as a whole, verses those that are technical enablers.

A firm taxonomy allows businesses to have affluent flow of communication between key business stakeholders and technology team about which APIs directly drive customer satisfaction and which APIs are built to enable delivery of those experiences.

API integration is used by many large organizations and is seen as a key business driver for the likes of Google with their Google Maps interface, designed to work on both desktop and mobile devices, along with popular eCommerce platforms such as eBay and Amazon, which allow technical team to use the existing retail infrastructure to create specialized web stores.

Have you considered utilizing Automated API systems? Take a look at how it can improve the business.