Need to manage APIs efficiently and securely increases with the increase in use of APIs.
API management what is it? In general, it is the practice of managing the entire lifecycle of an interface application.
And it is precisely to optimize API management that API Manager comes in , a management solution that allows companies to manage, create, protect and monitor their applications.
And it is with this in mind that we separate 7 tips for professionals and companies that already work with APIs on what should be the main features to consider when choosing the best API Manager solution.
Understand and analyze your company’s needs
Before choosing an API management platform, it is essential to analyze your company’s specific needs .
A proper API management platform must meet specific requirements, such as robust security, scalability, high performance and integration with other technologies, for example.
It is also important to assess which of these requirements are most important to your business and market, as well as taking into account the expected growth in API demand .
A scalable solution, for example, can be critical to the long-term success of your business. Therefore, analyzing the specificities and objectives of your company is a fundamental step in choosing the best API Manager.
Consider implementation options
An important factor to consider when choosing the best API Manager is the implementation option. There are two main options: the dedicated S aaS type and the Self-hosted type .
Dedicated SaaS is ideal for companies that want to contract software as a service on a dedicated and secure infrastructure , without worrying about maintaining the underlying infrastructure.
The main advantage of this model is its use for companies of the most varied segments and sizes.
On the other hand, the Self-hosted option is ideal for companies seeking autonomy in managing their own infrastructures , ensuring greater internal control over the security and availability of their data and systems.
This model is ideal for financial institutions, companies and industries that deal with sensitive data.
About the potential for scalability and growth
Considering scalability is key. The selected API manager must be scalable and capable of handling a large number of API calls simultaneously, ensuring high performance.
It’s pertinent to mention that the platform is able to adapt to the demands of the company as the number of users and API calls increases.
Furthermore, the API manager must be flexible enough to allow the addition of new APIs and services without compromising platform performance.
By choosing a scalable API Manager, the company can ensure that the platform meets the current and future needs of its organization and the market.
Safety is the key to success!
The selected platform must provide robust API security features such as authentication, authorization, encryption, security monitoring, and more.
It is essential to ensure that the platform meets the company’s security standards and that it is compatible with the organization’s security policies and current legislation , such as the LGPD.
Additionally, the platform must be updated regularly to patch any existing security vulnerabilities.
By choosing a secure API Manager, the company can ensure the protection of sensitive data and avoid security breach risks . In summary, security should be a priority when selecting an API manager so that the company can protect its most valuable assets.
Support, documentation and governance
Governance is essential when choosing an API manager, as it is important to verify that the platform offers adequate technical support and complete documentation.
Good governance involves considering the company’s history, customer reviews, cases and community feedback.
Having access to quality support can be critical in times of difficulty , such as integration issues, outages or platform failures.
Clear and detailed documentation is also critical to allow internal and external developers to work with the platform more efficiently and without wasting time.
Make sure the documentation is updated frequently and covers all platform functionality , including usage examples and common use cases.
When evaluating support and documentation, consider the company’s history, customer reviews, and feedback from the developer community.
Integration with existing solutions
The ability to integrate with other technologies used in your company, such as CRM platforms, databases, business applications , among others, should also be taken into account.
It is crucial that the API management platform is compatible with the organization’s existing technologies to ensure that integration can be done easily and efficiently.
Additionally, seamless integration with other technologies can help streamline business processes and improve operational efficiency.
That’s why it’s important to verify that the API management platform you choose can easily integrate with your organization’s existing technologies and support the necessary integrations.
Support and documentation
When choosing an API manager, it’s important to check that the platform offers good technical support and comprehensive documentation.
Having access to quality support can be critical in times of difficulty , such as integration issues, outages or platform failures.
Clear and detailed documentation is also critical to allow internal and external developers to work with the platform more efficiently and without wasting time.
Make sure the documentation is updated frequently and covers all platform functionality , including usage examples and common use cases.
When evaluating support and documentation, consider the company’s history, customer reviews, and feedback from the developer community.
Extra tip: Usability is key to speed up processes
Another key aspect to consider when choosing an API Manager is platform usability .
It is important to select an API manager that is easy to use and intuitive , allowing both internal and external developers to work with the platform without major difficulties.
An API management platform with a confusing and complicated user interface can lead to delays in the integration of new APIs and negatively affect developer productivity and satisfaction.
Something that can also be very useful for day-to-day developers, devOps and software architects is the ability to customize reports and extend API Manager functionality through plugins. This allows adapting the use of the tool to the specific needs of the business and the team.
On the other hand, an easy-to-use platform with good documentation can increase the adoption of new APIs and accelerate project delivery.
Count on those who have experience in the matter
Choosing the right API Manager is crucial to ensuring the efficiency , security and scalability of a company’s APIs.
In increasingly specific and competitive corporate scenarios, acting strategically in the management of APIs can be the differential in accelerating digital initiatives and standing out against competitors.
Therefore, relying on someone who understands the subject and offers the right solutions for your needs will make your journey even clearer.
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