The API management involves defining API policy and release management. Typically, web APIs are used for integration across applications and it may involve using & sharing APIs with third parties too. The APIs can be classified and released as:

i) Private:
The APIs could be used only within the organisation and internal applications. No third party application or company will have access to these APIs.

ii) Partner:
These are the APIs reserved for the partner businesses & applications. These are restricted for common users, but could be availed through exclusive memberships or payments. The Google APIs provides subscription based services for Google Maps for its partners. These APIs provides routes, directions and information at a premium price for partners like Uber.

iii) Public
The public APIs are available for all users. The Google map requests for mobile apps is available for public use. Apple also provides its APIs for programmers. The payments apps like Venmo, Stripe, Visa provide APIs for applications to receive and make payments.

3. Consumers & End Applications

The APIs are typically created for application integrations, there are applications that consume APIs. The clients that consume APIs could be internal to the organisation or third party. However, the end user scenarios and requirements of the consumer applications must be met with APIs.

The APIs can be managed according to the services provided to the consumer application and diverse use cases. API management may involve building connected platforms, structuring information assets for reuse and plan adaptive integration.

4. Next Generation Devices 

While organisations have been building APIs for different client applications and mobile devices, there are new objects getting connected to the internet everyday. These objects and devices will be leveraging APIs. For e.g. Alexa, Google Home, and smart watches are some of the devices that will use the APIs. These devices are part of the ecosystem today and connect with users in novel ways.

The APIs are very much part and parcel of building an internet of things infrastructure. Whether it is your IP cameras, microphones, servers or applications, APIs can leverage two way communication with them. The APIs are powering the digital strategy for the next generation devices and connectivity.

5. Security & Access Management

When everything is interconnected, there are endless endpoints using data and many of them are at a risk of being exposed to malicious users on the web. The API management involves securing access to the data with authentication, authorisation and best practices for security management.

The information security from malicious users and third party apps is the prerogative of the API management. It must guard against rogue applications & users to circumvent any security issues. The API management may also involve a policy check for identity checks on connected devices and applications.

6. Scalable Microservices 

SaaS applications are typically built for scale and reaching out to a massive number of users. The architecture of the application plays a huge role in scalability. The microservices are architectural components that separate parts of an application into small and self containing services. These services can be called with the APIs and can be used for serving a large number of requests. An API can also involve calling one or more microservices to provide data to the client request.

Microservices are lightweight and deployable services that can be used for building individual parts of the application, it creates a base for building scalable web apps. The APIs and microservices are quintessential in creating performance driven applications on the web.

7. API Usage Metrics

The modern day enterprises rely heavily on APIs for their day to day work. In most cases, the companies consume more APIs than it provides. The detailed API usage metrics can break down the usage of external APIs, data and third party details. This API catalogue can also enlist all vendors, clients and partners for organisation’s APIs. The data footprint and users etc can also be tracked.

The API usage monitoring can help companies to plan building more robust and secured platforms. Any anomalous uses of data etc. can be mitigated and reported proactively to the senior management. The API policy can also disable third party applications and clients that breach the rules for consumption limits etc.

8. Development Friendly

APIs make the management of applications easier and development friendly. With the plethora of applications and use cases, businesses are looking to experiment quickly and build novel capabilities all the time. All companies are looking to augment their digital strategies with new tools and apps to make their business consumer friendly.

The API management can make applications decentralised and makes team work independently. With a microservices based architecture, it helps organisations to build separate services without affecting other teams. This loosely coupled architecture can help companies to have small teams to build services for clients. For e.g. an ecommerce company can have a separate recommendations microservice, this microservice may be deployed independently and doesn’t affect other components of the main application.

API management will be integral to how companies manage their data and provide access to other applications in an interoperable world. API management can make businesses more agile, adaptive and drive operations with interdependent applications. 

The post API Management: How API Management is Used in Digital Strategy for Organisations  appeared first on Kreyon Systems | Blog | Software Company | Software Development | Software Design.

Running a business can be a tough job. It can become even more exhausting if things are not well organised. Chasing new business, getting the best folks to join your company, giving personalised attention to customers, retaining talent, managing ever changing dynamics are just a few responsibilities to mention. Businesses cannot afford to lose time in the increasingly competitive marketplace. Organisations today are looking at easy solutions that can organise stuff for them, while they can focus on core areas & growth opportunities. Dynamic website is one solution that can organise your business. Some of the best organisations around the globe use dynamic websites to simplify their day to day work.

A dynamic website can help you to manage your business activities smoothly. It can make your office paperless. Your business is pretty managed with an online portal that is not tied to a particular location or place, helping you do things on the fly. There are two major components of a dynamic website one that is visible to the visitors and the other part which is the driving engine for the functionality. For e.g. in portals like Amazon, visitors get to see the list of products, get personalised recommendations and are able to buy the goods. There is a back-end engine which drives these listings, algorithms that help the users with recommendations and so on. The top businesses are relying on dynamic websites to power their operations. Following are some of the aspects that can be automated with a dynamic website:

1. Virtual Office:

A dynamic website creates a virtual office. It can be used to manage the operations from any place or location.  It provides integrated Interface for business administration. The key parameters governing performance can be monitored online with triggers for new business enquiries, total visitors, employee activity, escalations and other important events.

2. Publish Vacancies and manage careers:

The web is a great place to attract young talent and also showcase your business. A dynamic website can be used not only to create a compelling & attractive careers page, but can also manage online hiring process. The open vacancies can be published on the vacancy page and candidates can submit online applications. The shortlisted candidates can be notified & then interviewed as per the needs of the business.

3. Maintain information about your Products & Services:

One of the most important aspects of a website is to generate sales for a business. The products and services page can highlight the unique selling proposition to visitors. Apart from that the portal can also manage terms & conditions, quotations for products/services, which can be sent to prospective customers.

4. Publish Press Releases and News:

A business can post press releases and news on their website. Once these press releases are published, its impact on the visitors can be analysed and measured. The press releases that generate maximum traction for the business can be tracked. The message for the target market can be refined with real time tracking of these press releases. Organisations can make their PR efforts more focused, impactful & appealing with this.

5. Feedback:

The dynamic portal can facilitate easy interactions with visitors, prospective & existing customers for an organisation. The feedback page on the portal can be used to connect with them. When a new customer enquiry or feedback is posted, relevant authority is notified with automated messages etc. The action pertaining to feedback can also be tracked & assessed for improving customer satisfaction.

6. Digitised Document System:

Documents are pivotal to running a business. Organising them can be fairly complex though. An online document management system can be integrated with a dynamic portal. Documents can be shared to relevant staff and also made accessible at a centralised location with a company portal. Important documents for expenses, budget & project related documents etc. can be maintained using a digital document system.

7. Manage a blog to create awareness about your products & services:

Content management is a necessity for online reputation & branding. A business can create a blog which can be used to create awareness about its products & services. Companies can add content, images, videos and stories dynamically to keep their website fresh & updated. The traction of the blog can be measured and assessed with a dynamic website. For e.g. the popularity of an article can be gauged with the number of shares on social media channels like LinkedIn, Twitter, and FB etc. At the same time, the web leads & business generated from these efforts can also be tracked with a dynamic website.

8. Unleash business and networking opportunities:

Web can bring visitors from all around the world. These visitors also have the potential to create new opportunities for a business. The dynamic portal can help a business to manage such opportunities. These opportunities can be related to channel partners, franchise options, partner enquiries etc. The website can be used to manage these opportunities centrally, qualify them and then take actions as per business priorities.

9.  Events Calendar & Milestones:

The website acts as an important tool for publicising the key events for a business. These events can be notified to subscribers, prospective customers & even staff. The events calendar, meetings and milestones can be managed with a web interface. Businesses can also manage offers, discounts, and announcements using this feature. For e.g. a retail store may publish an event related discount on their website to attract visitors & business.

10. Manage Customers:

A dynamic website can personalise interactions with customers. Companies like Netflix use business intelligence to personalise suggestions for each user. Amazon sends personalised suggestions for product purchases based on user’s history. Your business can also manage customers and their history on their dynamic website & create a personalised service or experience. Businesses are also automating their invoice systems and collecting payments online from their customers. Customer management with best in class technology tools is a sure fire way to grow a business.

Internet is by far the most powerful growth engine for businesses today. Traditional brick and mortar companies are looking at ways to tap into the magic of internet.  A dynamic website offers them a potent combination of functionality not only to attract new customers but also enhance operations, management & growth. It allows an organisation to create an optimised strategy for maximising business performance management with a single integrated view of data.

The post 10 Tips to Power Your Business with a Dynamic Website appeared first on Kreyon Systems | Blog | Software Company | Software Development | Software Design.