APIs
The magic of business process automation
What is an API?
API, stands for Application Programming Interface and as its title suggests, it’s a tool used by software developers, so why is it important to our businesses?
An API is a software connector that links and lets business systems talk to each other. It removes the need for manual intervention and automates those labour-intensive elements of your process that in the past would have been done by one of your staff.
In essence, APIs let computer systems send requests to each other and receive responses – in the blink of an eye!
Why is an API important to my business?
To build a successful business, we have to develop efficient systems that streamline how we process our clients’ requests and fulfil their needs as quickly as possible. An API is an extra pair of hands that allows the process to continue without one of your people being involved.
For example, a consumer buys one of your products from your website and the API tells our Newton system to despatch the item on your behalf. This simplified example shows you that process automation is a key tool in business efficiency and almost all of the work we get involved with uses API’s to make life easier!
When MRM builds a solution for a client, they each have their own intricacies and individual needs. Instead of writing solutions from the ground up, we can now choose from a library of software building blocks that already have the functionality and use the API – the Application Programming Interface to connect them. This saves a lot of time and cost.
Examples using the API:
- Delivery address lookup – the client enters the postcode, or first line of the address and the full mailing address is automatically entered
- Payment gateway – in an e-commerce transaction the API communicates in both directions. The client enters the credit card details and the API link communicates whether the card been successful or declined
- E-commerce trading – build your own web shop on a leading platform such as WooCommerce, Shopify, Amazon, e-bay, etc. Again, two-way communication, for example checking if a SKU is in stock, sending the order details, updating the order status when it has been picked
- ERP, WMS & OMS – Enterprise Resource Planning, Warehouse or Order Management Systems – whatever systems you are using in your business MRM has the facility to take and receive instruction. This will be part of the solution we put forward
Get in Touch
Call us on: 01858 410510
Email: sales@mrm.co.uk
Key points
- Improving computer system connectivity
- Generating real-time movement of information
- Eliminating manual data entry
- Allowing existing best practise software products to be used
Working with MRM and building your solution
Importantly, when we meet with you to discuss a promotional idea, we’ll document the objectives of the campaign and what you want to achieve. MRM will bring into play their experience and advise on the best course of action for success. We can demonstrate how data will flow between the computer systems involved and the efficiencies gained.
Get in contact with MRM to hear more about Business Process Automation
Our dedicated in-house IT team is on hand to answer your questions.
Please call us on 01858 410510 or sales@mrm.co.uk
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