Data Integration
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) can be thought of as an early form of an API and now modern API’s use web services instead to transfer information.
API stands for Application Programming Interface and “is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software and applications.” API is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. Each time you use an app like Facebook, send an instant message, or check the weather on your phone, you’re using an API.
For example, perhaps you have a customer that wants to get rate quotes from you. Currently they may phone your customer support department and have someone e-mail or fax back the rate. With an API, however, their computer system accesses an API on your computer system and pulls the rate quotes automatically. This saves time and allows for a greater volume of business from that customer.
Shipment Tracking- When you check the status of an order on Amazon to view the shipment tracking information, Amazon connects to an API provided by UPS or other carrier to retrieve the tracking details, which they then format and display on their web page. Many companies are starting to use API’s. When you check the status of an order on Amazon to view the shipment tracking information, Amazon connects to an API provided by UPS or other carrier to retrieve the tracking details, which they then format and display on their web page.