Unified API Management as a Service (SaaS)

APIs are the core language of cloud computing. API is general terminology a piece of code but it helps to perform a variety of tasks. APIs adoption across enterprises has grown very fast in the last 20 years to bring in velocity and process efficiencies in businesses. API adoption in silos is happening due to siloed teams working on heterogeneous environments, diverse architectures are leading to API sprawl which is the next big challenge for enterprises. Another answer to this emerging problem could be usage of unified API management. 

In today’s topic we will learn about unified API management as a service, understand issues with API integration, and the benefits of API management. 

Challenges of API Management 

In a typical API integration there are several challenges , onboarding requires time and effort, you need to learn HTTP methods, handle custom objects and fields, do research, figure out security schemes, ensure API meeting all requirements, testing of API and resolution of errors. Post integration maintenance of connections brings another set of hassles.

As APIs are always evolving, integrations need to be adopted for newer versions to avoid breakage. All these issues increase exponentially when aggregation happens across multiple APIs from different providers. The API could utilize different API styles (RPC, REST, GraphQL, SOAP etc.) and payload is sent in different formats such as JASON, XML etc. using different data models. 

As integrations increase so is the regulatory requirements become more tough to handle. 

What is Unified API Management? 

Under the same software category, aggregating many APIs ease integration with standard endpoints, authentication and data normalization is all about unified API. This brings consistent development experience and lesser focus requirements on integration efforts.

Overall management, documentation, governance of Application programming interfaces (APIs) within an IT landscape comes under unified API management. APIs act as bridge between software programs enabling them to communicate and interact effectively to achieve a specific functionality. The overall objective of API management is to manage API lifecycle and monitor its usage and accessibility. Let’s look at some key aspects of unified API management more in detail as under:

• API Security – Authorization, authentication, and encryption are important to prevent cyber threats and discourage unauthorized use of APIs. For example, rate limiting features help in prevention of sudden traffic spikes on APIs. Protection against unauthorized API access and related threats is well managed with API management.
• Traffic Control – Load balancing strategies help in API traffic distribution efficiently via caching and route mapping techniques. Helping in overall performance improvement in API calls to endpoints. 
• API Governance – Provides a full filling and consistent end user experience. API discoverability, life cycle management, reusability and documentation come under API governance. API governance ensures that each API developed adds value to business and fulfils its end objective. 
• API Documentation – Comprehensive API documentation help developers and security teams to ensure successful management of APIs 
• API Analytics – API usage patterns related insights, performance and adoption helps in identification of issues and opportunities and give a clearer insight into return on investment (ROI). It helps developers to understand how their APIs are used and do its performance evaluation. 
• API Monetization – Creation of customized packages and plans , licensing of products which use API are included in this. API management ensures right tracking of API and data usage by customers. 

Benefits of Unified API Management as a Service 

• Data driven decisions achieved by business insights gain thru API analytics
• Security threat protection proactively that impact APIs 
• Comprehensive API documentation available to developers 
• Centralized visibility to see all API connections centrally at one place reduction in security vulnerabilities, decreasing repetitive APIs and contain API Sprawl 
• API monetization help organizations share revenue with partners and real time billing tracking
• Rapid creation of new digital assets
• Flexible, agile, adaptable and innovative system which facilitates simpler ways to manage APIs 

Conclusion 

API management can be delivered in different flavours such as on cloud, on-premises, or as Software as a service (SaaS). Use of API management tools make it easier to create, secure, deploy, operate and manage APIs which enable users to meet their business goals without navigating to different sites and services. API management tools offer monitoring, performance management, traffic management and controls over who can access an API and helps in reduction of redundant work. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rashmi Bhardwaj

I am here to share my knowledge and experience in the field of networking with the goal being – “The more you share, the more you learn.”

I am a biotechnologist by qualification and a Network Enthusiast by interest. I developed interest in networking being in the company of a passionate Network Professional, my husband.

I am a strong believer of the fact that “learning is a constant process of discovering yourself.”
– Rashmi Bhardwaj (Author/Editor)