What Are API Integrations? Everything You Need to Know 

 

Big data is huge for businesses looking to get the most out of their data and gain a deeper look at the relationship with their customers. Businesses utilize several applications, services, and tools to accomplish this task on a consistent basis. Data teams are moving data, storing data, and transforming data at increasing frequencies and need to be able to seamlessly move data between applications without issue. Thankfully, Application Programming Interfaces (API) exist, which enable two or more applications to exchange data with one another. API integrations are still relatively new, so you may feel out of the loop when it comes to this advancement in data software solutions. Don’t worry, we’ll explain everything you need to know about API integrations below. 

What Are API Integrations?

API integration is an interface that allows seamless communication and connectivity between two or more software applications. This is beneficial to any company regardless of size looking to keep data in sync, increases revenue, and boost a high level of data accuracy. Your team can utilize data systems remotely and API integrations operate in real-time, which saves time, money, and resources. In the old days, companies had to fax and email important information, but with the advent of API integration, data teams have the power to conduct business faster, maintain a higher degree of data accuracy, and improve efficiency across the board. 

How Does It Work?

There are several different ways API integration works and can be applied. It mainly depends on the needs of your data team as well as your business. Data teams might choose to build a custom-built integration API, but this is time-consuming and cost you up to $10,000. Another popular choice is utilizing a connector application or searching for a popular API integration platform. Data teams usually start the process by evaluating their data goals and establishing a set of business processes. Next, data teams should consult with software analysts and system administrators to help pinpoint details and create a solid plan when it comes to an API. Lastly, your data team moves forward by building a custom application or uploading data to an API platform such as Celigo, or Oracle. 

Benefits of API Integrations

API integration comes with a multitude of benefits for any business looking to get the most out of their data. Some of these benefits include task automation, improving customer service, and saving money, but we’ll be exploring more of these benefits below. 

Unlocking value: Many businesses, especially older ones have massive amounts of data essentially collecting dust somewhere in a data warehouse. Some of these businesses may not have the resources to access the data or are at a complete loss as to how to go about integrating their data into different systems. API integration tools empower data teams by giving them the ability to extract data from older servers and databases. Also, data teams can create internal APIs solely for data extraction within the company, which allows them to get a bigger picture of their data and unlock the insights laying dormant. 

Innovative Solutions: Every business both big and small constantly runs into problems and are always searching for new solutions. API integration can help your business create and develop innovative models that can be leveraged by your data team. API integration helps you develop applications in a quick fashion and help you save money in the process. API integration can help you leave a bigger impact by facilitating the expansion of your brand within your market and taking advantage of several different tools. Automation pipelines and hard copy data collection tools can you better evaluate your data and spot shifting trends you can take advantage of. 

Data-Driven Decisions: Probably one of the most important aspects of API integration for business leaders is the valuable insight you gain from your data. The acquired data can help you analyze and gain a much deeper insight into your customers. Data teams can look into this data and pinpoint purchase patterns, demographics, geographics, and the devices being used most often. API integration also gives you this data in visual forms, so you can deepen your relationship with customers, better serve their needs, and make more intelligent business decisions moving forward. 

Conclusion

Several businesses around the globe are searching for data-driven solutions and ways to save money as well as time. API integrations are one such solution that more and more businesses are learning to embrace and leverage for their business needs. They give teams the power to share data between several applications, communicate more effectively, and get the most out of their data. A team can build a custom API, take advantage of a platform, or use connector applications. API integration comes with numerous benefits including unlocking the value of data, cultivating innovative solutions, and making more data-driven decisions. API integrations seem to be the wave of the future and can help your business take your application needs to the next level. 

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