Understanding API Integration and How it Works in Business

In the digital era, every company wants to have an efficient operation and optimal business systems. API, especially API integration, can elevate efficiency in business systems with time savings and reduce workload. Moreover, cost savings can also be achieved to allow companies to allocate resources. Let’s explore further how API integration is one of the most important strategies for your business.

💡 “Through API integration, companies can keep data synchronization more efficient, upgrade team productivity, and increase growth revenue.”

What is API Integration?

API integration (Application Program Interface) refers to integration between two software or applications that make connectivity that can interact with one another. The focus of API integration is to have high connectivity that can support companies in automating business processes between systems and applications.

❗ “The example is, with API integration, tour ticketing companies can integrate with various hotel services. The goal is to exchange data to get real-time data and schedule.”

The use of API integration can remove complexity and support many processes in various companies’ sectors and system layers. Furthermore, integration between various systems can be easier and more efficient because API integration allows data exchange to occur faster.

The Important Functions of API Integration

1. Connecting cloud apps

API integration needs to connect API from cloud apps. API integration is becoming a standard for connecting cloud apps. This can improve reliability by using cloud apps within the company.

2. Systems synchronization

Data synchronizations in different systems can be realized with API integration. For example, changes in a system can be automatically applied to other systems without manual interventions.

3. Provide solutions for effectiveness

API integration can provide solutions for effectiveness and remove the complexity that has been faced in connecting applications and tools. The use of API integration will simplify application and tool management that is used by companies. Later, companies can change the hard options because there is already API integration in their applications and tools.

4. Making teams more strategic 

Implementing API integration can result in a more strategic team. The reason is that each division can work on more important things because applications with API integration only require a few people to monitor them. 

5. Work becomes more efficient, easy, and fast

APIs make communication between applications very easy because everything is connected. With API integration, you no longer need to communicate directly with the connected application so the process is faster.

❓ “How can APIs improve efficiency, how do they work?”

Before we get to the full explanation, let’s use an analogy. Imagine you are visiting a restaurant. Then, you want to order food by looking at the various menus available. After ordering, the restaurant kitchen will prepare your food. As a customer, of course, you don’t need to know how your food is made, right? Because the most important thing is that your food has been delivered by the waiter. Likewise, the API is always ready to be an intermediary between the system and the user. Check below for a full explanation:

Explanation of How API Integration Works

1. Application accesses API 

First, when a user starts using an application, the API is also automatically accessed. For example, when your company has a tourist ticket application and also provides hotel booking services, the application will access the hotel service API that is already connected.

2. API submits requests to the server

Second, after successfully accessing the API, your application request will be forwarded to the hotel server for the date you have specified above.

3. The server responds to the API request 

Third, the API request that has been received by the server will be responded to and the server will contact the API again. The data includes confirmation of name, room type, date of stay, and so on related to hotel reservations. 

4. API responds to the application

Finally, the API will forward the data to the application that your customer uses. Later, the application will get information from related hotel services. This process can be done simultaneously by displaying all booking availability from various hotels.

That’s an explanation of what API integration means, its functions, and how it works. The use of API in the company, of course, must be in an optimal state so that it always provides a smooth experience and the best service. One way that can improve the smoothness of the API is to monitor it regularly.

The use of API monitoring can provide transparency about the condition of the API and its resources. The API monitoring tool you can trust for your company is Netmonk Prime. API monitoring from Netmonk Prime provides real-time information, proactive notifications as problem prevention, and reports that can be downloaded in PDF form. Very helpful, right? Maintain the effectiveness of your company’s API with API monitoring now!

Reference:

https://www.cleo.com/blog/what-is-api-integration

https://tray.io/blog/what-is-an-api-integration-for-non-technical-people