3 reasons why you must be familiar with the term API

We take it for granted, but depend on it nonetheless. Have you ever thought about how it is that you can log in with your Facebook profile in online shops, see the location of companies in Google Maps via the company's website, or sign audit requests with BankID via Brevio? The answer is API. They work behind the scenes and simplify our lives, and are something most companies should have on their agenda.

What is an API?

API stands for Application Programming Interface, and is (slightly simplified) code or instructions that enable different IT applications to talk to each other. APIs enable companies to change business processes, improve customer experience and develop new and exciting services.

We have listed three reasons why the API economy is here to stay.

1. Better customer experience

The purpose of integrations in a company should always be driven by the opportunity to work more efficiently or improve quality and competitiveness.

It is common for companies to use more than one program, this could be an office suite, an ordering system or a CRM tool. These often contain and share data, for example customer information. There are still many businesses that try to maintain and update such information separately. On the other hand, there is much to be gained from connecting systems together, because in that way we offer a better user experience, cheaper and with a lower risk of errors.

Neither customers nor employees appreciate maintaining the same data in several systems. APIs can make this easier via automated data flow.

2. Faster innovation

Doing things "the old way" with large, expensive projects that take up a lot of time and money requires certainty about the outcome.

APIs turn this around, and provide greater opportunity for experimentation with new products. This means that even organizations struggling with bureaucracy and older technology can go from idea to production faster.

Building prototypes and new products on top of existing solutions is faster, cheaper and entails significantly lower risk.

3. Increased security

APIs are also used to control access to software features. Therefore, APIs often play a large role in security.

A common example of this is when you visit a website and receive a message in your browser that the website wants to know your location. In this case, the site attempts to use the geolocation API in your browser. In addition to making it easier for web developers to build smart functionality, the API makes it possible to better control access to the functionality. When a website wants access to your exact physical location, the only way they can get it is through the Geolocation API. And when a website tries to use it, you as a user — can choose to allow or deny that request. In this way, an API can also help provide better privacy and increased security.

Collectively, APIs will save development time, and make it easier to build solutions with more functionality, security and scalability.