api software - Custom Software Development Team

Among the services we offer here at Modest is integration with Gmail and Google Calendar. We can modify existing systems or build brand new business software with integration included. Best of all, integration isn’t limited to Google Workspace apps.

Business software can be fully integrated with thousands of third-party apps. The benefits of doing so include:

Centralization of all applicable data.
More streamlined data transfer.
More efficient workflow.
Increased automation capabilities.

Depending on use case, integrating business software with third-party apps can literally revolutionize the way companies use their software. Third-party integration could very well be the most useful – and simultaneously, the most underutilized – capability of modern software development.

API Integration

We have several options for deploying third-party integration as we build custom business software. The most common method is arguably API integration. APIs, also known as application programming interfaces, are small apps written expressly for the purpose of facilitating integration. That is why they exist.

API-based integration allows different software systems to seamlessly communicate and exchange information. The advantages of such an arrangement are clear:

Communication between apps is standardized.
Data exchange occurs in real time.
Workflows and individual tasks can be automated.
Access to third-party data and services can be granted on an as-needed basis.

Third-party integration by way of APIs is more common than most people know. It is so prolific that the chances of you using an integrated app on any given day are pretty high.

Other Ways to Integrate

While API integration is a fairly common way to handle things, it is not the only option. Another popular option is something known as the integration platform. An integration platform is an online platform designed to be an intermediary between applications and ecosystems. The key components of a solid platform include:

API management.
Pre-built connectors.
Data transformation tools.
Workflow automation.
Built-in monitoring and analytics.

Within the integration platform sphere there are multiple options. Developers can look at enterprise iPaaS (integration platform-as-a-service), embedded iPaaS, and unified API solutions. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses.

Above and beyond integration platforms are:

Data Extraction Solutions – When API integration is not technically possible (usually older software without API capabilities) integration can be achieved through data extraction. Data extraction is clunky and not very efficient, but it gets the job done.
Plugins – Some software vendors prefer to offer integration through plugins, addons, and extensions. These additional pieces of software tend to offer limited integration with just one other software package.

A general rule in modern software development is to look at API integration first. We move on to integration platforms if they are more appropriate, but we stay away from data extraction and plugins unless absolutely necessary.

Security Is a Top Concern

Regardless of how third-party integration is achieved, security is always a top concern. There is no point to building custom business software that doesn’t utilize the latest and greatest security strategies for protecting data and keeping hackers out.

The challenge in this regard is distrusting API developers. Whenever you’re mixing software developed by separate entities there is always a risk of unknown vulnerabilities. But with the right policies and procedures in place, those risks are minimized.

What does your current business software look like? Is it integrated with third-party apps your organization uses frequently? Third-party integration is a normal part of the development process here at Modest. We invite you to learn more about it and how it can streamline your workflow, improve productivity, and unlock the full potential of your business software. If you require it, we can build something new from the ground up.c

A company whose bread and butter is custom software development needs to keep up with all the latest trends. That means keeping up with the latest APIs from all the most popular business tools. To say that APIs play a crucial role in custom software development is to state the obvious.

A Software Intermediary

Known formally as an application program interface, the API is essentially an intermediary between differing software systems. APIs allow different applications and services to share data. They facilitate integration so that systems maintain full functionality even while interacting with one another.

At the heart of every API is a core set of rules and protocols. They define how participating systems interact. For example, consider web APIs. Their core function is to facilitate interaction between web-based services and other applications.

How APIs Affect Custom Software Development

As a company that specializes in custom software development, we work with both off-the-shelf and custom APIs on a regular basis. We know firsthand just how crucial they are to the development process. Understanding their role really boils down to knowing how APIs affect what software developers do.

1. Development Speed

Developing custom software can be a time-consuming enterprise. It does not have to be though. At Modest, we manage development speed by utilizing a modular system. But APIs also have an impact on speed.

APIs give us access to pre-built functions and services out of the box. By plugging in the appropriate APIs, we avoid having to build certain portions of our custom software from scratch. This speeds up the process and reduces overall development time.

2. Better Integration

If custom business software has a weak point, it would be interoperability with other systems and applications. APIs reduce interoperability problems by facilitating better integration with third-party services, applications, and databases. Better integration means a more seamless experience along with streamlined functionality.

3. Enhanced Function

Certain types of APIs give us access to advanced features, functions, and capabilities. In addition, APIs offer software developers access to third-party services without having to build those services from scratch. It all adds up to a level of enhanced function that makes a custom software package worth investing in.

4. Improved Scalability

Scalability is always a concern when designing custom software. Businesses need the ability to quickly scale in either direction as circumstances demand. But if a custom software developer does not know how to make its product scalable, there is a problem. APIs can make a significant difference.

Some APIs lend themselves very well to scaling because they allow developers to adapt to new technologies and features. Not only that, but developers can also adapt more quickly due to API standardization.

5. Lower Development Costs

Rounding things out is the potential for robust API deployment to lower development costs. APIs standardize communication and data transfer. They leverage existing functionalities that save developers the time and effort that would otherwise be put into developing those functionalities from the ground up.

APIs Are Building Blocks

A good way to think of APIs is to look at them as building blocks. Developers can deploy specific APIs and then build around them. Where there is a gap in the code, it can probably be filled with another API.

Note that we have simplified this explanation of APIs to help our readers understand the crucial role they play in custom software development. Needless to say, we rely on APIs even though we use a modular system for developing custom business software. In the end, it all works out to your benefit through business software you can actually afford.

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Options for Integrating Business Software With 3rd-Party Apps