Communications API

What to look for from a Communications APIs Provider?

When it comes to selecting a Communications APIs provider, there are three main characteristics to look for:1. Reduced learning curve2. Improved logistics3. Ease of implementation

We often refer to the top features a good UCaaS platform should have for businesses to truly unleash the benefits of unified communications. Thinking about business agility further, in this blog, we want to zero in on a tool that is especially crucial in giving businesses the flexibility they need to streamline communications and work processes – flexible Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

Bringing the Era of Self-Service Communications to Fruition with APIs

All businesses face unique challenges and no two are exactly alike. In general, as companies undergo digital transformation towards software and cloud-based applications, they are increasingly interested in self-serve solutions. Solutions that give them freedom and control to satisfy the demands of their employees and customers.

Unfortunately, older PBX systems often lack the tools needed to create reliable connections between the many different software platforms and other tools modern businesses employ daily. As a result, businesses might have to pay specialized engineers to develop custom integrations and maintain these integrations for as long as they have the old PBX.

Enter the modern world of APIs.

APIs offer businesses a critical self-serve capability because each is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. An API specifies how software components should interact and are used when programming graphical user interface components.

As the building blocks for creating custom solutions, APIs essentially offer businesses a way to complement, configure, and customize the prepackaged communications services their provider offers. By choosing to evolve into a cloud-based, API-enabled communications solution, businesses can streamline their operations and reduce costs. All while creating unique and innovative tools to address the evolving needs of their employees and customers.

What to look for from a Communications APIs Provider

When it comes to selecting a UCaaS API provider, there are three main characteristics to look for:

1. Reduced Learning Curve
As we just noted, most businesses often lack the human resources to create highly specialized software solutions to every communication challenge their company faces. APIs solve this problem by enabling any user to use the relatively simpler code an API comes with to pull together their communications platform features and other already-in-service tools/applications into a custom solution for their business.

2. Improved Logistics
APIs allow customers of a communications platform to do, in one place, various actions that might traditionally involve manual adjustments to multiple servers. For example, APIs can enable companies to instantaneously provision and configure voice and messaging services as well as devices. This greatly speeds time to market for businesses eager to add value for customers with constantly evolving needs.

From a reporting standpoint, APIs also offer significant benefits. Because they allow businesses to pull information on customers (call center statistics, active call statistics, call queues, etc.) and business processes. Without forcing IT staff to do any of this at the database or user interface (UI) level.

3. Ease of Implementation
However, having all the benefits of an API at your fingertips is only half the battle. Businesses also need an API solution that is backed by leading-class customer training and support.

The API should improve work processes and efficiency. And not result in new challenges or lost time working to solve downtime-causing problems. The existence of a 24/7 customer support team and a vibrant community of users can go a long way in smoothing the implementation of the communications provider’s APIs.