Application Programming Interface

Application Programming Interface (API) provide a useful mechanism for software developers to integrate bespoke systems with third party software solutions. Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) is widely used within on-line based systems and provides a specification for exchanging structured information between applications and servers.

Both approaches (APIs and SOAP) provide a set of tools that we regularly use to interface with payment gateways, accounts packages and third party data sources.

Examples include: -

• DirectX and Java APIs for rendering graphics
• eXtended Mark-up Language (XML) for importing and exporting data
• Google MAPS for calculating distances or displaying visual analytics on maps
• SagePay for processing credit and debit cards
• SageLine 50
• QuickBooks Pro

Web based APIs are relatively new - often referred to as Web 2.0 - and are moving away from Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) based services towards more direct communications allowing a combination of multiple services into new applications known as mash-ups.

APIs provide a rich stream of functionality that enable us to pass information to and from other systems you might have in place, or harness toolsets readily available, reducing the cost of development.

If you want to find out more about how APIs can help, get in touch!