API Integrations make it possible for your applications to connect to each other. This is important because without the right connections, your data can’t communicate, meaning you get stuck with disjointed data and inaccurate reports.

API stands for “Application Programming Interface.” Think of them as the doors to your applications, allowing users to access the data stored there. An API Integration is the process of linking your applications together using APIs. This allows them to share data and trigger actions within workflows in real time, making it essential for automation.

API Types

Before diving into API Integrations, it helps to have a basic understanding of the different types of APIs.

REST APIs are one of the most common API types. REST stands for “representational state transfer,” and these use basic HTTP methods to connect software, applications, and web services.

SOAP APIs are the second most common API type. SOAP stands for “simple object access protocol,” and these require a Web Services Description Language document to define parameters. This protocol utilizes XML (Extensible Markup Language) to help your apps communicate and is most commonly used for web services.

GRAPH APIs allow you to pare down the information you want, ensuring that the data returned matches only what you need. This is a popular API among developers and is commonly used for JSON files. GRAPH APIs are more complex to build than REST APIs.

RPC APIs are best used when you have complicated requests. RPC stands for “remote procedural call,” and can utilize both JSON and XML. This is a popular API if you need to trigger a server remotely.

Types of API Integrations

Now that you have a basic understanding of what APIs are and how they work, you can dive into API integrations. Understanding the different types of API integrations allows you to make more informed decisions when selecting the right approach for your needs.

Public API Integration

Also known as Open APIs, public API integrations can be used by anyone. Companies may offer public APIs to encourage collaboration with third-party developers, which expands their ecosystem and increases their platform’s value.

Private API Integration

Also known as Internal APIs, private API Integrations can only be used within a company. These integrations connect an organization’s different departments, applications, and services to make its internal workflows more efficient. Because they’re not exposed to external systems, private API integrations are usually more secure.

Partner API Integration

Partner API integrations are used when a company wants to share data with its business partners or vendors. With partner API integrations, security access controls are in place to ensure only trusted sources get access to proprietary data.

One example of this would be Microsoft’s Partner Center REST APIs. This integration type balances security with collaboration and increases transparency between the parties involved.

Composite API Integration

Composite API integrations allow developers to access multiple endpoints during a call, giving them the opportunity to retrieve multiple types of data at once. Instead of making separate calls to retrieve customer data, order history, and shipping status, a composite API returns all three in one response. This increases efficiency and reduces the amount of time it takes to pull the right data.

Custom API Integration

Custom API integrations are built specifically for each business’s needs. These integrations are usually developed from scratch, or are heavily modified to connect systems just the way you need it. While custom integrations require more development time and resources, they offer more control over both functionality and security.

Third-Party API Integration

Third-party API integrations allow you to connect your apps to external services built by other companies. You may want to utilize this type of integration if you want to extend the functionality of your systems without having to build the integration yourself. This helps to speed up development for your team while reducing costs. Unfortunately, this also means that integration becomes dependent on the third-party service that built it, so make sure you choose a reliable provider.

API Integrations with eOne Solutions

The right API integrations can be the difference between faster, smarter automations, and clunky, disjointed workflows that require a ton of manual work to upkeep. Choose the right platform for your API Integrations with the eOne iPaaS.

Utilize SmartConnect for physical integration and automation, and Popdock for quick virtual integration. Whether connecting to internal applications or third-party APIs, our no-code platform has everything you need for all types of API integrations. Contact our team to learn more.