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APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are specifications that enable software programs to share their data, services, and functionalities with other software programs. They’ve been deployed by businesses across countless industries to streamline internal operations, improve enterprise systems, and rapidly build high-value, user friendly products. In this article, we discuss nine common API use cases. In particular, we focus on the following:
- APIs for Microservices
- APIs for SaaS
- APIs for Cloud Services
- APIs for Web Metrics
- APIs for Banking
- APIs for Payment Processing
- APIs for Shipment Tracking
- APIs for Mapping and Location Services
- APIs for Supply Chain Management
Want to learn about the 7SIGNAL API? Chat with our sales team!
1. APIs for Microservices
Microservices architecture is a method for designing and building software applications as a collection of small, loosely coupled, and independently deployable services. A good example is Netflix, which uses different microservices to perform various functions like user account management, recommendation algorithms, content delivery, and more.
In a microservices architecture, larger applications leverage smaller services, like APIs, to coordinate with complementary solutions, enhance scalability, and add enough flexibility to meet the demands of a wide variety of users.
Beyond Netflix, business tools like CRM platforms, ERP systems, accounting and finance tools, and project management solutions commonly leverage APIs for microservices. This frees up resources to invest in the core functionalities of these products.
2. APIs for SaaS
In the same vein, software-driven business services — including marketing automation platforms like Eloqua, HubSpot, and Marketo — offer APIs to facilitate easy access to service offerings. Continuing with the example of marketing automation platforms, they can be used for campaign management, integrating with other applications, and measuring campaign performance.
3. APIs for Cloud Services
Cloud computing providers are also big in the API space. Cloud services is a term that refers to the delivery of computing resources via the Internet. Instead of relying on local infrastructure and physical servers, cloud services utilize remote servers hosted in data centers to provide things like storage, processing power, databases, networking, and software applications.
Typically, APIs for cloud services help developers programmatically manage, provision, and access cloud resources. They can also be used to automate various tasks and integrate cloud services into applications, making them useful for responding to changing business conditions and traffic requirements.
4. APIs for Web Metrics
Another common use for APIs is to facilitate programmatic access to web metrics. For example, if a firm wants to monitor the traffic on their new website, they can add JavaScript patches provided by web analytics services to their web page templates. Then, when a visitor lands on their site, the code on that page will call an API and send out a message containing a variety of useful insights, like traffic data, user location, user browser type, etc. Moreover, many of the companies that provide these APIs enable companies to compile the information collected to generate reports and derive business insights.
5. APIs for Banking
Banking APIs enable app developers to integrate various banking services into their products. For example, companies that develop accounting software can use banking APIs to help businesses automate labor-intensive tasks like account reconciliation, electronic payment processing, tax filings, and more. In addition, these APIs also ensure that users have access to real-time and up-to-date financial data.
6. APIs for Payment Processing
Similarly, payment processing APIs from companies like PayPal, Stripe, Square, and Braintree have been instrumental to the acceleration of digital commerce and giving. By enabling secure credit card transactions over web and mobile platforms, they provide businesses with a reliable way to exchange goods and services without having to build and maintain complex payment systems in-house.
7. APIs for Shipment Tracking
USPS, FedEx, and UPS all provide APIs for shipment tracking. By integrating these solutions into web and customer service platforms, companies can not only make sure shipments arrive on time, but also provide equal transparency to their customers.
In other words, the benefit of shipment tracking APIs is that companies can use the insights they provide to improve both internal operations as well as customer satisfaction. For example, companies will be able to improve the management of their supply chains and logistics, while simultaneously avoiding failed customer deliveries by proactively scheduling drop-off and pick-up times.
8. APIs for Supply Chain Management
Along the same lines, companies can use supply chain management APIs to ensure that they always know where orders stand and where required inventory may be available. These tools are especially popular amongst retailers, e-tailers, manufacturers, distributors, shipping and transportation companies, inventory and warehouse management companies, and more.
9. APIs for Mapping and Location Services
Finally, services like Google Maps and Apple Maps use APIs to offer customers ready-to-use location-based features like routing, trip guidance, coordinated marketing services, and more. For example, apps like Airbnb and Uber use the Google Maps API to facilitate their mapping and vehicle tracking features, while DoorDash and Instagram use the Apple MapKit API to facilitate order tracking and geotagging.
Get Started With the 7SIGNAL API
At 7SIGNAL, we offer a number of enterprise Wi-Fi optimization solutions that help you build healthier wireless networks. With the 7SIGNAL API, you can integrate device and WLAN metadata collected via the 7SIGNAL platform into the software tools that you use on a daily basis. You’ll be able to sync relevant data, set Wi-Fi performance alarms, configure flexible workflows, and more.
To learn how the 7SIGNAL API can help you optimize your Wi-Fi network, read the article:
7SIGNAL® is the leader in enterprise Wi-Fi optimization, providing insight into wireless networks and control over Wi-Fi performance so businesses and organizations can thrive. Our cloud-based platform continually tests and measures Wi-Fi performance at the edges of the network, enabling fast solutions to digital experience issues and stronger connections for mission-critical users, devices, and applications. Learn more at www.7signal.com.