API-driven integrations can take your company to new heights. Better customer service, greater efficiency, and new ideas are just some of the advantages of an effective initiative. In a time when the speed is eating away at the slow, businesses cannot afford to be left in the lagging position! IT executives are in a position of having to develop API-led integration programs.
In the rush to begin with their first project, many companies jump straight into their first venture without laying the foundations for their project prior to preparing. These integration projects are often difficult to manage, costly and difficult to grow.
Do you plan to launch an API-driven integration project? Take a look at our 5 steps to see if you’re prepared!
1. Engage all the other employees.
To get your first integration project going with flying colors include your senior decision makers. Find their approval and support right from the beginning. Then the rest of the team will follow and take on the change.
If you decide to take the initiative “to to the Boardroom” it is important to speak about the value to business of the integration rather than APIs themselves. Make sure you focus on the business goals and emphasize how integration can aid in reaching them quicker. Once the API-driven integration project is running let all the other employees know the progress and outcomes and continually demonstrate the advantages.
2. Select your first project with care. Consider business issues rather than technical issues.
Try to find an initiative that will provide tangible business benefits within the shortest amount of time. If possible, pick the capability that is reused throughout the company. This will promote the API-led approach as well as the value of API reuse. Do not forget to make an ‘after and before’ to prove your integration accomplishment. Check out this MuleSoft tutorial for beginners in hindi to learn more.
3. Created an API integration strategy.
Talk and reach an agreement with your stakeholders about the long-term plan and discuss the desired end-point with your technical teams responsible for delivery. The definitions of what success is can help everyone know what they’re working towards.
The business context. Make sure your tech team is aware about how to implement the API integration strategy and how it is aligned with the overall strategy of your business.
End-state vision. What do you want to achieve over the three to five years ahead? A clear plan for success will inspire and assist all employees to remain focussed on API strategic goals.
Systems & data landscape. The map of the technologies and systems, as well as the older applications, and then identify the data flow between them. Sort your old systems into being removed from service, approaching the end of their life, or moving to the cloud.
4. Concentrate on people and set in place your Center for Enablement (C4E).
For those who aren’t aware, C4E is an IT operating model that is focused on delivery and enablement. It can help reduce delivery times and reduce risks associated with projects, improve compliance with standards and enhance the quality of deliverables in integration initiatives.
5. Resources – How will you present your API projects?
Do you have in-house experience to conceptualize, plan and implement API-driven integration projects? Are you required to recruit new staff, train your existing team, or outsource the entire project? You might consider hiring a Systems Integrator that has experience in producing efficient API integration programs. They can assist you in avoiding common mistakes, speed up APIs delivery, and train your employees and free your team members to focus on the strategic aspects. Join online MuleSoft training today to learn more.
If you’re determined to get your API-based integration project on the right track look into the Integration Framework. You’ll be able to learn about the essential activities to consider in every stage of an API-based project’s life-cycle. It’s a concise and useful guideline to assist you in achieving impressive results in a short time.
If you’ve already initiated your API-driven project take a look at the Integration Checklist to ensure you’ve completed all of the steps to create the foundation of an API integrated project.