An application programming interface (API) or an integration can both be key tools in achieving your efficiency and productivity goals. It’s vital, however, to know the difference between them to ensure that you are making the most of the tool that you really need. While they are both important, they don’t give you the same kind of capabilities. Unfortunately, the two terms are often used interchangeably, which makes it all the more crucial to clearly define the differences between them.
A digital-first interface
APIs are the foundation on which the systems that support greater connectivity can be built. They are the digital interfaces that allow difference software applications to communicate and interact. This digital interface provides access to backend capabilities, without compromising security in the system.
One of the significant advantages of software with API capabilities is the greater data visibility. In a post-database world of work, this is the new way to ensure data access through SaaS and cloud-centred solutions. They also provide the opportunity for developers to build on existing systems to provide user-specific capabilities that respond to the needs of an organisation.
The most important power that an API can offer is allowing you to build integrations with other tools. A recent report found that over 70% of workers use more than six applications a day, with a third using more than eleven. By reducing duplication and switching between applications, you can unlock far greater efficiency for your people and your organisation as a whole.
Tools for connectivity
While APIs are the building blocks, integrations are the practical implementations that make the capabilities you need possible. Integrations allow you to connect different parts of your workflows across multiple software applications. This supports interoperability, automation and task management.
This makes a key difference for raising your efficiency and productivity. Having the ability to break down the barriers within your workflow is a game changer in achieving greater effectiveness in your work. Integrations can eliminate time-consuming, repetitive data entry across multiple platforms, freeing your team up to focus on the most important tasks.
API or integration?
Understanding the difference between APIs and integrations is key to making the most of their capabilities. In short, APIs are the underlying system that make integrations possible, and integrations are what make your customised workflows possible. One relies on the other, but they are both vital to achieve your productivity goals.
When making the decision to invest in a new solution, it’s important to do the right due diligence and ask the right questions. Some solutions come with integrations out of the box, while some have APIs to provide you the opportunity to build your own integrations. It’s important to assess the needs and capabilities of your organisation to understand what the best option is for you.
For many organisations, these may not be the right solution. A platform-based approach that provides a wider portfolio of capabilities that connect to each other can provide the right capabilities. Investing in a platform-and-module model can unlock the same kind of integration between functions with a purpose-built solution. You can learn more about the growth of platform-based and platform-as-a-service solutions in our blog.
Both APIs and integrations play a key role in driving connectivity and productivity in modern organisations. They each have their own roles in achieving greater interoperability and efficiency – even though they aren’t the only option to achieve those productivity goals. To learn more about these technologies, and make sure that you’re making the right choices, take a look at our most recent blog.