Digital mode of business is booming. Systems are interconnected like never before. APIs are the connecting tissue in this technology mesh. And the number of APIs are only increasing day by day. How should enterprises strategize their approach with APIs?
Most organisations tend to focus on adapting their API tooling at the gateway/ESB level to get some sanity in this area. This approach is only a temporary fix, that mostly falls short in the long term.
Enterprise API strategy is more than just the gateway tooling. It should bring about a streamlined process for designing, consuming and governing APIs in simple and structured way, as much as security. One must look at an approach that will transform into achieving an enterprise API baseline, and quickly.
The average enterprise today, is working with 300+ internal and partner APIs. In the coming years, this number is only set to grow. Since APIs are being governed at a department level (gateway level) and less at the Enterprise level, siloed and unstructured ways of managing APIs are happening. This is leading to a lot of duplication of efforts, lack of standardisation in APIs and its governance, and increases challenges with discoverability.
Hence, thinking beyond the API gateway/ESB tooling is necessary. The API strategy should be viewed as a process, for your developers and consumers of your APIs.
This approach is really thrilling, since it fosters a vibrant ecosystem of technologists who can deliver/innovate at scale, if they only knew what’s available for them out there!
Even CXO’s may be wanting to look at their API portfolio, to leverage cross departmental intel or build new digital offerings or even create a platform for their ecosystem partners, like how a leading Indian brokerage firm did recently.
The possibilities are numerous, and hence setting a firm API strategy should not be put to the back burner. Start when the API complexity in your enterprise is little. Your digital journey is about to skyrocket.
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found
something that helped me. Kudos!
Bel article, je l’ai partagé avec mes amis.