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API or system integration is a term that is becoming more present in our lives, even if sometimes we don’t know about it.
Wanna know more about what an API is, how it works and what uses it have? Keep reading and I’ll tell you everything about it.
What is an API?
API is the abbreviation for “Application Programming Interface”, basically an API is the programming interface between two or more systems, that can be used to several applications such as request of information, modification of data,or even a simple communication between them, with that is possible to expand the functions that the system do, allowing a bigger integration among the technologies used by a company, adding more agility to the process.
A practical example of an API that is very present in our routine is Google’s API, for instance, whom never opened a hotel website, and discovered the address on a map provided by Google? All that is possible because of an integration between Google Maps and the site code.
Systems Integrations in Companies
Globalization and the industrial 4.0 revolution are already a reality on the world and consequently on business. In that reality,it is increasingly necessary that the information are available in a easy and updated way, as fast as possible, making possible for business decisions to be made in line with the increasing speed which changes occur, in order to contextualize a little better, let’s apply a real case developed by Agence
Latam Airlines is one of the biggest airline companies in latin America, it was founded in 2012, with the merger between Lan and Tam, two companies with a successful past in their countries. Nowadays the group owns 330 aircrafts, which have needs of care and maintenance.
Now imagine what it is like to manage the maintenance of all that aircrafts, among the flight schedules, always trying to make it in the most profitable way?
The AOG (Aircraft on the ground) is the period in which the aircraft stays out of use on the ground, and it’s one of the biggest challenges the aviation has to face, because, lets face it, a aircraft stopped, generates a lot of costs, also harming the flight schedule, when the maintenance happens for not planed reasons.
To bring a solution to that matter, we develop a API, that integrates the flight schedule system of the company, with other companies itineraries, delivering the data in a clear way, allowing the match between data to reduce as much as possible the time that the plane stays on the ground, because it is possible to know in which airport the aircraft stopped, where the spare part is, the next itinerary to that destiny, so the part can be ship as soon as possible,reducing the waiting.
Benefits of a system integration (API)
As we were able to verify in the case above, the integration can by very useful in process optimization at a company, making informations available in a clear way for business decisions, however not only big corporations can enjoy the benefits of it, it can bring benefits to all sort of companies like:
* Processes Optimization: With a greater automation of tasks, the staff can stop performing basic tasks and focus on strategic decisions.
* Reduction of costs: With a more efficient process, decisions are made based on data, decreasing failures and repetition of tasks;
*Decrease in communication failures: Your team have an easy access to the information (depending on their access level), avoiding failures on the internal communication;
How to integrate systems and avoid flaws.
The most used method used by the market are the API’s, mainly because of the speed of data exchange, working as a “bridge” between the systems, besides that, API’s have a high level of security regardless data, because the company has control on which information is shared, based on access levels.
Other methods uses are:
* Integration of databases: Integration made by two or more databases that are used by the company
* Integration by data (platform) : In that metod, a platform will work like a “translator” between the systems, connecting both on the same “language”, usually that switch is made by a FTP server
- Integração por meio de dados (Plataforma): Nesse caso, uma plataforma vai atuar como um “tradutor” entre os sistemas, trazendo a informação de um sistema, “traduzindo” e enviando a informação para o segundo sistema,normalmente essa troca de informações é feita por meio de um servidor (FTP).
Regardless the method chosen, a keen point always is that the solution is developed in a custom way to the needs of your companie, and also be executed by a company that has the right team with the technological knowledge required, avoiding a security breach or a system that is not functional.
After the reading, how about to start applying the tech revolution at your company? Click here to talk to our experts
Written by Rafael Galan Martins
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