API for business: why invest in system integration?

In a world stimulated by digital transformation, it's hard to find someone who doesn't use apps in their routine. Whether we talk about consumers or companies, the incorporation into digital is accompanied by an appeal to practicality And to rapidity. In this dynamic scenario, it is worth exploring the use of API for business, which allows you to optimize products, systems, and operations.

Through APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, it is possible to connect different softwares, who start to exchange information in a manner automated. In this sense, APIs function as digital bridges, allowing fluid communication, as if the systems spoke the same language.

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This personalization ends up contributing to competitiveness of the company in the market and making a difference in the digital world. After all, the ease of using applications is key to engagement and customer loyalty.

It's no wonder that the report 2022 State of the API, from Postman, shows confidence from C-suite executives regarding the time and resources invested by organizations in APIs. Among 1,400 interviewees, 87% of CEOs predicted that investments in enterprise APIs would increase or would they remain stable in 2023.

But how does an enterprise API work in practice?

What is an enterprise API?

In a not so distant time, communication between software took place more manually, through the exchange of files or customized integrations between specific systems.

This process became even more complex when systems were built with different technologies and programming languages.

Thanks to evolution of technology, today the APIs work as a system integration, providing a common standard for communication between software. This allows different apps to share data and Access information and resources from other systems in a simplified way.

Thus, APIs make it possible faster solutions, providing a standardized interface for systems to communicate more efficiently.

With the ease of this integration, services offered by third parties, for example, are easily integrated with an organization's underlying applications. This saves time and labor by preventing specific functionalities from having to be implemented from scratch.

Between system integration and data sharing, it became possible to create more robust and innovative solutions, whether for use by the company itself, with private APIs, or outside it, with public APIs.

In this perspective, the scalability of applications depends only on API strategy of the company.

How to implement an API in your business?

As more and more companies create and incorporate APIs, a careful eye is needed to devise strategies that are successful. And for this, it is necessary to first understand what type of API the company requires.

“What is encouraging the adoption of APIs? Efficiency in system development and integration are at the top of the reasons. Digital transformation initiatives come right behind, in third place. [...] These strategic priorities are imperative for reducing costs and increasing revenue. That's why it's essential to adopt an API strategy that's scalable and secure.”

State of API Security Report Q3 2022, from Salt Security

A good API strategy may relate, for example, to process management of the organization. In this case, internal APIs would be used to connect systems that are already part of the company's infrastructure. This would improve the operational efficiency and would provide employees with new tools to better serve customers.

At the same time, a Public API Can you open new possibilities to generate revenue when linked to consumer-facing apps. These are designed to be used by external developers, who can access the system's functionalities and adapt them in the best way.

These facilities end up resulting in increasing use of API for companies, as shown in the 2022 State of API Security report, conducted by EMA and Radware. In it, 92% of respondents indicated that the use of APIs in their organizations has increased compared to previous years.

This growth is even seen in companies such as Meta, Google Maps, Paypal, Mercado Livre and Clicksign itself. All rely on public APIs for system integration and thus improve the customer engagement with your products, creating increasingly innovative channels.

The advantages of using APIs in system integration

The integration of an API into a product system can bring many benefits to the company. After all, by allowing different applications to work together, we increase the overall efficiency of the system.

With that in mind, learn about the main benefits of having an API for system integration:

• Increased number of features

Through APIs, the company benefits from resources that could be expensive and time-consuming to develop internally. Thus, it is possible to use advanced features in existing solutions or create new applications to complement core products.

• Flexibility in integration

APIs provide a flexible way to integrate platforms without requiring developers to rewrite code. This allows the company to choose the best tools for each task and to integrate everything in a cohesive way.

• Improved user experience

When integrating systems, the user starts to use the product continuously. That way, there's no need to visit third-party sites or apps.

• Increased productivity

APIs help automate repetitive tasks, reducing time spent on manual processes and increasing team efficiency.

• Information Security

The integration of systems through APIs is done in an encrypted and secure way. A data protection and underlying system resources rely on authentication and authorization methods.

Data protection in APIs

With the increased use of APIs for share data between systems, it is normal for concern to arise regarding information security of users and companies.

So when choosing an enterprise API, make sure that it has clear policies regarding data protection. Check out some tips:

✅ Observe whether the data collection is in accordance with General Data Protection Law (LGPD).

✅ Check that the API follows the best practices and policies of Information Security.

✅ Check if the API has authentication and permission appropriate, that analyze the user's identity and request permission to access specific resources.

✅ A encryption must also be observed, including SSL/TLS communication and the encrypted data storage.

✅ Check if the API is monitored constantly, in order to prevent new threats and vulnerabilities. This may include penetration tests, security audits, or software updates.

It's important to keep in mind that APIs can also provide an additional layer of security when accessing underlying data. This allows information critical to a business to be kept confidential.

This is the case, for example, of electronically signed documents.

Why use an electronic signature API?

The pen and paper signature was left behind. With the technological evolution of industry 5.0, signing documents electronically has become the most efficient and secure way to sign contracts. And when we talk about Electronic signature API, the advantages only increase.

With Clicksign API, you can integrate electronic signatures with your company's applications and systems. So it's easy to create a custom workflow to generate, sign, and manage documents.

Once integrated, the API allows users sign documents without leaving their usual environment. All in encrypted form, validating and storing data on secure servers.

In addition, the tool has automatic updates for various areas of use, reducing the possibility of fraud.

Learn a little more about how Clicksign's electronic signature API can be part of your business processes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVUxthdJ7e8

With the Clicksign API, you have a complete platform, with all the necessary documentation to boost your business.

If you want to know more about How to use APIs to manage electronic signatures and digital documents, click here and talk to one of our experts.

Featured image credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto