API Platform

Photo courtesy of siliconangle.com

Exposing data through APIs is a well-worn topic.  At Mashery, we talk about it literally all the time.  But we usually focus on a company exposing its own data sets through APIs to inspire innovation.  What we don’t talk about as often, is how whole industries can use APIs to increase productivity and efficiencies. 

Every large enterprise periodically accumulates what we call "tech debt". It happens even in very well-run companies, those that have built-in processes designed to adapt quickly to capitalize on emerging opportunities, or cope with unexpected problems. In essence, to respond rapidly to these and other market shifts, they have to implement new technologies. Then, with the next shift, they have to do it all over again, basically starting from scratch each time.

APIs are so vital for business companies like TechCrunch are beginning to treat them as products in their own right. This approach allows such companies to maximize platform reach, profits and partnerships.

This post, part of a guest blog series on platform success strategies, originally appeared on Programmableweb.com

Photo courtesy of apievangelist.com

We are clearly far past the point of having to explain the benefits of API management and services, but there are still specific aspects where more attention is merited. In particular, partners.

Large companies have been a part of the API game from the start.  Ebay and Amazon have had APIs since the early 2000’s.  And now, more and more enterprises are developing API programs.   Large companies in industries as varied as retail (BestBuy), hardware (Cisco) and distribution (Coca-Cola Enterprises) are all creating successful API programs. 

My first Mashery recruiting assignment came last year. When recruiting for an expansion stage technology startup that provides a product that most people aren't entirely sure of, you need to be tremendously compelling in your first message.  This was challenging because I always found myself first having to explain what an API was and then why an API management solution was so important.

Last week, Mashery Platform Strategy Director, Chuck Freedman, wrote about a few strategies to help your API platform achieve its business goals.  This is part two of that post, covering strategies 4-6 from Chuck’s Business of APIs talk, which he presented earlier this fall. 

4.  Establishing Effective Partner Engagement

It’s been just over a week since the election and we were privileged to have a conversation with the Obama for America campaign CTO Harper Reed (LinkedIn title: Amazing), Director of Engineering Dylan Richard (LinkedIn title: NERD!), and Engineer Ian Dees (LinkedIn title: Engineer).

It has been a busy year for API Management with lots of new players and new types of API products. What does it mean for APIs going into 2013? 

As a larger cross-section of businesses see the value of APIs, API management platforms will become even more important. Imperative to any API Management effort are five areas: design, documentation, analytics, access and uptime.