Now is a time of unprecedented innovation
An entire constellation of technologies has entered the online sphere, and each promises to provide sweeping solutions and relieve systemic problems. As impressive as these pieces of technology might be in isolation, however, their potential depends on how seamlessly they work with other solutions. For technology to truly transform our lives, it must function seamlessly with other solutions instead of popping up at select times to perform distinct tasks. Given that need, application programming interfaces will be the driving force of innovation moving forward.
Currently, companies rely on APIs to connect their own internal systems — think accounting, logistics, marketing, and sales functions. In today’s data-driven economy, these firms understand that success depends largely on their ability to collect, integrate, and leverage data. Keeping it trapped inside silos and segregated in certain departments makes little sense.
All in all, the point is to broadly leverage data to improve everyone’s understanding. APIs break down these barriers by allowing proprietary systems to share information with one another. In other words, they allow systems to work in concert so that companies can become digital-first organisations.
