Intelligent SME.tech Issue 15 | Page 25

intelligent

// PREDICTIVE INTELLIGENCE //

How APIs

ARE DELIVERING ON TECHNOLOGY MODERNISATION

The modern CIO is constantly looking for new opportunities to drive the organisation forward . Joel Reid , UK & I VP / General Manager , Axway , tells us why companies should be utilising Application Programming Interfaces ( APIs ) in order to move forward faster .
N THE FACE of the ongoing

I adversity seen since early last year , organisations across the globe had to rapidly virtualise , acting quickly to present a newly digitised version of themselves to their stakeholders .

But , embracing new technologies and business models often meant reckoning with outdated legacy systems that were no longer fit-forpurpose and that acted as straitjackets for digital dynamism . Indeed , a recent study published by GetApp found that 31 % of organisations intend to replace software due to legacy systems failing to meet business needs .
The problem is , wholesale or even highly focused technology replacement is not always practical . Whether budgets don ’ t allow or the existing technology is so embedded in the current infrastructure or processes that change is extremely challenging , some organisations aren ’ t positioned to simply swap out old for new .
This is where APIs ( Application Programming Interfaces ) can bridge the transformation gap . APIs offer new communicative capabilities for legacy systems and can enable profound opportunities when modern systems are integrated . Not only can APIs work to actively transform IT architecture , but they can also work with a legacy system to minimise organisational disruption .
However , an API is useless unless it is delivered with consistent quality . To deliver on that need , an API gateway is required . This is programming that sits in front of an API , acting as the single entry point for defined backend APIs and microservices ( which can be both internal and external ).
A gateway is critical to the process because it helps ensure the performance , availability and scalability of APIs by enabling enterprises to initiate delivery with uniform supporting services , including traffic management , transformation and system integration .

ORGANISATIONS NEED A CLEAR API STRATEGY IN PLACE THAT MAKES IT EASY TO CREATE , CONTROL AND CONSUME APIS .
Intelligent SME . tech
. tech
25