Description
Cloud computing is the primary delivery vehicle for a new generation of software services referred to as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Essentially the infrastructure and software are no longer on “premise” and the SaaS provider supplies the network access, security, application software, and data storage from a server. On a technical level, any SaaS functionality is delivered via an Application Programmable Interface (or API) accessible through a web browser, mobile device, or another application. These APIs are developed according to four key factors; necessity, reliability, usability, and scalability.
The SaaS model has enabled the emergence of API marketplaces which provide a place for developers to build and share their APIs and a consumer to find a suitable API for integration into their applications5. In the area of supply chain, organizations are adopting diverse types of APIs to improve connectivity and enable rapid digitization. These include internal APIs to represent coarse- and fine-grained service interfaces, data elements, and private and public APIs. Examples of APIs in the area of supply chain information management include:
- Creation of standardised documents from local information systems
- Validation and document transformation
- Document exchange via a network and status tracking
Resources
Example of an API marketplace
Rapid API Marketplace & Management Tools
FAQ
What is the connection between an API and a REST service?
API is a very general concept and can be implemented in different ways. REST is the most common implementation method for APIs.