On 2nd June 2016, 2016, REAL Solutions and IBM will offer a Speed Event on API management architecture, featuring talks and demonstrations by two IBM-certified experts from REAL Solutions. An IBM partner for over 25 years and winner of the IBM Business Partner of Luxemburg Award from 2013 to 2015, REAL Solutions offers a wide range of software and business solutions, including IBM’s new API Connect product, launched last month.

By Kasia Krzyzanowski

Why have an API strategy?

APIs, or application programming interfaces, are at the heart of today’s digital economy, allowing the creation of new applications and services using the data made available by organizations. Typically, businesses have one of four main goals when beginning to develop their API strategy, according to Savio Rodrigues, director of API Connect at IBM. These are to speed internal application development, securely expose records and data to new apps, expand brand reach by tapping into new ecosystems, and enable new business models through the monetization of data.

What is API Connect?

API management is of key importance, particularly to protect the back end systems of organizations that become exposed when data is shared. Traditional API tools focus on management and security, but Rodrigues explains that “this is only a small part of the API lifecycle.” IBM aims to offer a more comprehensive product with the launch of API Connect. The system “enables clients to create, run, manage and secure APIs across their lifecycle,” says Rodrigues, noting that the product makes it possible to quickly create and deploy new APIs.

Performance, uptime and security: key considerations

Additionally, API management systems should provide reliable performance and uptime. “These are much more important for APIs than your website, because tens or hundreds of internal, partner or third-party developer applications could be relying on your API,” explains Rodrigues. Strong security is another important feature. API policies, a key element in securing APIs, define who has access to the data and how. With API Connect, IBM has integrated enterprise-grade runtimes for Node.js and Java and an enterprise-grade secure gateway to ensure the performance, uptime and security needs of organizations are met.

Responding to business challenges

According to Rodrigues, developing an API strategy can require organizations to face a number of decisions and challenges, from defining business and marketing models and expectations, to managing API consumption and access by internal and external developers. REAL Solutions helps its clients respond to these challenges by offering, implementing and supporting IBM’s API management solutions (cloud-based or on-premises). REAL Solutions assists its clients in all stages of an API’s journey.
Register for the Speed Event now to discover best practices in API management and to see a demonstration of IBM’s API Connect.