The OpenWater Blog

Bidirectional API Integration at a Glance

If you clicked on this article, it’s likely because you read the title and were wondering:

• What are APIs?
• Why should I use APIs?
• How does OpenWater integrate with APIs?

APIs may sound complicated, but they’re not. Read on to find out answers to the above questions. Soon, you’ll wonder how you functioned without APIs both on the OpenWater platform and beyond.

What is an API?

API stands for application program interface. This interface allows one software program to “talk” to another and exchange data.

Organizations of all sizes rely on APIs to efficiently build new services, create close ties with markets, partners, and customers, and cut the cost of both innovation and automation. Today, APIs make it possible to predict problems and keep both life and business moving forward for future progress.

Even if you don’t believe you’ve used an API, you have. For example, if you click a button and generate a PDF, you’ve just used an API. The information is transferred from one area to another and it requires no additional effort on your part.

Why Use APIs?

There are three main reasons you should use APIs in your organization:

• They Save Time and Prevent Mistakes. For example, if each time someone submits an entry you want to get a text message alert. By using an API, all information is transmitted automatically. This frees up time for your team to focus on other tasks while improving the specificity of information communicated in each exchange.
• They Centralize Information Storage. You should know about each of your entrants or your program at large. APIs centralize information storage so you never have to hunt down information to make intelligent decisions.
• They Eliminate Confusion. Most organizations have disparate teams, each of which may be working toward a different goal. With APIs, you’ll enjoy quicker data exchanges and ensure there are no crossed wires between different groups.

Uses for APIs in the OpenWater Awards Software

Simplifying and streamlining data storage and information is a core component of the OpenWater system. You can use APIs to further reinforce these values in two key ways:

• Invoice/Payment Data – Keeping financial records updated is critical for awards budgeting and other matters. With APIs, you can sync your finance system to the OpenWater platform to ensure you don’t misinterpret revenue or other important figures at any time throughout your program.
• Reporting – Submission information, among other details, can be difficult to transmit from your system elsewhere. OpenWater’s reporting APIs ensure uploading information to your system is simple and efficient.

OpenWater supports a number of canned API integrations as well as custom API integrations. With canned integrations, no developer is required although you will need an individual capable of interfacing with Abila or ISG. Our current supported canned integrations include:

• Abila Netforum Pro
• Abila Netforum Enterprise
• iMIS with ISG iBridge

With custom integrations, you will need a developer to get data into your CRM or AMS. We will provide sample code in either C# or PHP to get data out of OpenWater and on your platform of choice.

APIs Can and Should be Part of Your Awards Platform

With the potential to simplify certain tasks and better organize the information you rely on to make your program a success, APIs are an essential part of any awards platform.

Now that you know what they are and what they can do, we hope you take advantage of them as well!

Kunal Johar

Kunal Johar is the OpenWater platform evangelist. He currently manages our development teams and enjoys diving into the fray. Find him in our community chat room.

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