Why Network Automation Should Be Part Of Your API Strategy

In a relatively short space of time, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have transitioned from a standalone development challenge into being an integral part of many business plans.

More and more of today’s enterprises are recognising the huge opportunities and cost savings that come from APIs. By unlocking their proprietary systems, processes and data through an API, businesses can create value and revenue streams for both themselves and their partners. Platforms that have been built and designed around these principles of modularity and interoperability have enjoyed enormous success, and can be found today in the core offerings of many tech giants, including Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook. 

In response, enterprises are focusing on how they can develop and execute successful API strategies. According to a recent survey by Cloud Elements, 83% of businesses now consider API integration to be a critical part of their overall business strategy.

Planning an effective API strategy

Developing an API strategy can, however, seem a daunting task. Not only do enterprises need to consider how their public APIs can help them engage more effectively with customers through consumer-facing applications, but they also have to look at how their private APIs can empower their partners and own employees with new tools and insights.

An API strategy should examine how to integrate an increasingly complex mix of technologies, applications and processes. This includes reviewing legacy systems and ensuring they are interoperable with newer technologies. And more commonly than not, enterprises find that these legacy systems do encounter problems with modern APIs and newer services and software.

Enterprises need to also work out how to connect their ecosystem together.

Innovating faster than the competition

APIs can act as the glue that holds otherwise siloed apps such as CRMs, ERPs, finance, communication, and sales and marketing platforms together. But while enterprises were once defined by a handful of applications within their data centres, they are now connecting to SaaS applications from all corners of the business at an unprecedented rate.

Creating connectivity between these data sources and applications is therefore becoming increasingly complex.

Software Defined Interconnection® (SDI®) fabrics like Console Connect can help take away some of these complexities by introducing more automation at the API layer. When it comes to connectivity, APIs are now creating workflows that can be carefully and strategically orchestrated so that productivity and impact are optimised. This can help enterprises better cope with spikes in demand and make more efficient connections.

This level of network automation is also enabling them to adapt and innovate faster than the competition – which is exactly why it should be considered as part of an overall API strategy.