People who don’t work in the world of technology are often confused by technical terms, aka “geek speak.” What they don’t realize, however, is that even though the words may be foreign, what’s behind them often plays an important role in everyday life. For example, take the term API. What is that, and what does it do?
I’m glad you asked.
What is API?
I’ll leave the technical jargon out and explain this in common English. API stands for Application Programming Interface. Does that help? Probably not, so let’s look a little further.
According to Wikipedia, API is defined as “a computing interface exposed by a particular software program, library, operating system or internet service, to allow third parties to use the functionality of that software application.” Simply stated, application programming enables interaction between data, applications, and devices.
How is API utilized in everyday life?
When used in business, application programming is a great way to connect companies with their clients. Or, it can be used to connect people, data, and devices within the company itself.
Here’s a real life example: you want to make a doctor’s appointment. Rather than calling the office during regular business hours (at which point you are probably at work), you hop onto their website after dinner. Fortunately, there is a form on the website that allows you to schedule an appointment. And, it allows you to automatically create an event in your own Google calendar simultaneously. Plus, now the doctor’s office has your name and time in their calendar. An application programming interface is what is working in the background to make this a seamless experience.
Business application programming and system integration
As a business owner, you likely appreciate the times when your company works like a well-oiled machine. Technology is running smoothly, employees are working collaboratively, and customers are happy. API and system integration can play a huge role in this process.
An API system could help your business improve communication, data handling, or efficiency. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do our devices talk to each other?
- Is our billing software compatible with our CRM system?
- Will our devices update automatically?
- Can our employees effectively communicate with each other through data systems, programs, and software?
- Are we able to make real-time data adjustments that clients and staff can see?
If your answers to the above questions are all “yes”, you and your business are in a great place. And, keep doing what you’re doing but always look for ways to improve.
However, if one or more of your answers is “no”, you could use a little help.
A tech support company could be your best friend
If you’re not well-versed in API, system integration, or other areas of technology, don’t be afraid to ask for professional assistance. Fortunately, our team of IT support specialists and tech experts is only a phone call away. Instead of allowing your business to run inefficiently, make the call to involve an IT support team that is committed to your success.
