What is an API?

An API or Application Programming Interface enables enterprises to expose their business functionality as services to customers, partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders. APIs provide a means of extrapolating additional value from existing data and systems and allows organizations to transition from entities governed by centralized IT to open IT that promotes self-service. They allow monolithic systems to be efficiently integrated with each other in an atomic, compatible and agile manner.

In very simple terms an API is technology that allows applications (software programs) to talk to one another. But how do they work? And what are the benefits of APIs? This is when the concept of API management comes into play. API management involves managing the API lifecycle from creation, testing, documentation, publishing, discovering and monetizing. In addition to this, an API management platform enforces security and provides in-depth analytics on API usage. This ensures that the APIs are secure and consumable. API management solutions can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud or in a hybrid of both.

The white paper ‘Leveraging a Winning API Management Strategy for Digital Transformation’ explores the importance of API management when transforming your enterprise into a digital business. It will also examine key features that should be considered when evaluating an API management platform including the benefits of choosing an open source API manager.