In a previous article, I mentioned that in order to truly leverage the power of a (cloud-based) application, an API (application programming interface) should be available to allow you to integrate and share information between systems easily. In other words, if you have a great software application and want others to interface with your software, you should have an API that may extend the reach beyond what you can, or want to do with your product.

An example might help; I’ll try to keep this simple. Here at eBridge Connections, we integrate data (eCommerce, EDI, CRM and others) with accounting systems. A company that sells an invoice billing system recently approached us.  They recognize the value in having invoices from their customer’s accounting system automatically populate their billing system and are looking to eBridge to facilitate the link because eBridge already connects to 40 different accounting systems. eBridge can provide API access to the partner to allow them manage the integration between their billing system and the eBridge integration platform. Everyone wins in this case: the end user doesn’t have to manually key invoices into the billing system, eBridge gains an integration customer without having to do any development, and the partner has a more compelling offering to help promote their product.

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Technology Corner Mike C