An API (Application Programming Interface) provides a ‘door’ to software applications, from which data can be retrieved. Think of links between CRM systems, online portals or accounting software. Through an API connection, application data can be used to expand, improve and integrate with different systems, services and workflows. This allows data flows to be exchanged for optimal data synchronization.
The benefits of API interfaces
Building an API and using it to link different systems offers a number of advantages:
- By automating processes, manual actions become unnecessary, which eliminates the chance of incorrect input/data.
- An API connection works in real-time, so that you immediately have complete data at your disposal.
- Your data between the systems is fully synchronized, making everything manageable in one place.
Technology
API development is often part of new software development. But also when connecting existing data flows from software applications, using an API can be a solution. Even for legacy systems (a system that, although outdated, is still in use), a secure connection to the open web can be established through an API connection.
There are several ways and formats to build APIs. The most popular are SOAP, Rest API and GraphQL. Building an API goes far beyond selecting a suitable technology. Together with you, we look at the business requirements and how the use of an API fits in best. Think of integrations with external parties using a public API or internal integrations with various systems using a private API.
It is also possible to use cloud solutions such as AWS API Gateway (REST), AWS AppSync (GraphQL) or AWS Cognito (Oauth Authentication). In that case, the focus is more on integrating with the business and less on the technical boilerplate required to develop an API.
Process Description
Your software architecture determines everything. After a requirements analysis, a choice is made which API technology will be deployed, regardless of the programming language of the application. For your software infrastructure, we then design and develop the robust API back-end based on the established api design.
We can build the most beautiful API according to all standards, but without API documentation a developer cannot get started. Some technologies and cloud services come with automatic documentation, but other APIs will require documentation.
We always work with standard specifications such as for example OAS (OpenApi Specification) in combination with open source tools such as Swagger, to keep it organized. We provide not only the API link between the software systems, but also the underlying code, process description and best-practices.
Development Process
With over 24 years of experience in developing robust backend APIs, we know how to make the right match between the business and technology. The focus during the development process is always on an optimal user experience, so that the API becomes available based on your wishes and needs are brought together. By effectively steering on scope and budget in close cooperation with our client we achieve the right balance, without making concessions on the intended quality.