The application programming interfaces (APIs) is more than IT subject, it goes beyond to all
business aspect as a key strategy for achieving business agility in this digital area.
This is a business approach in which value creation results from sharing, providing and leveraging
access to enterprise resources through APIs.
Why is the API-�cation a competitive advantage? 🎯
The API-�cation should be seen as a competitive advantage in any kind of business because
it has key implications for future competitive positioning-related digital transformation
activities. This is a key contribution to streamlining tasks and processes across the entire
business; focused on the integration of corporate digital assets and business services.
APIs for businesses have key
implications for the future competitive
positioning-related digital
transformation activities
In this way data, processes and other business capabilities of companies are made available to an
ecosystem of third parties (e.g. banking industry, �ntechs, technology vendors, corporate
customers). Then opening and connecting the business to suppliers, partners and clients,
therefore, proving the business agility, i.e. responding quickly to market opportunities.
Enterprise Architecture as a driving force of the API-�cation �
The business services automation through APIs should be part of a business plan and having a
strategy and execution roadmap aligned with enterprise digital strategy.
In this way, the Enterprise Architecture is a catalyst of this change leading the API strategy i.e.
design, engineering, reuse, patterns, and creating solutions that comprises the future business
functionalities as part of API-�cation. The API strategy needs be designed and committed with both
IT and business stakeholders i.e. business owners, agile teams, solutions architects and product
managers where all together share a unique technology vision.
The API-�cation journey
Making reality the enterprise API-�cation an organized journey is recommended and
needed be followed and executed by companies; below you can see a proposed journey that
includes the following steps
Strategy activities such as analysis industry, development API strategy, API business value.
I N N O V A T I O N
05/08/20 4 MIN. READ
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APIs and the API-�cation as Business Strategy
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Execution activities such as API prioritise and catalogue, API reference architecture, usage
and adoption.
Cross activities such as change management, retrospective review and governance focused
on improvements such as reusability, performance, catalogue design and code reviews of
projects.
Strategy activities include such as
Analysis industry in this task should be looked at the APIs marketplace in order to reuse the
available services and enriching that marketplace proving additional APIs e.g. banking industryaccess to data and transactions regarding loans, payments, accounts, cards and businessaccounts by customers or partners.
Development API strategy focused on API strategy, reusability and proposing opportunities
for business growth with this change.
API business value focused on cost e�ciency opportunities based on API’s implementation.
Execution activities include such as
API prioritise & catalogue, focused on business products and services, functionalities & datathat are exposing through APIs, it includes API roadmap.
API reference architecture, containing the API Framework, API best practices & standards,
Centre for Enablement (C4E) or Competency Centre and technology architecture.
Usage and adoption, focused on API development strategy, industrialization (Factory Mode),
reusability, API as asset, development, runtime and consumption lifecycle.
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Take-aways ✍
The API-�cation must be part of the digital strategy and business plan of any company.
The APIs allow the streamlining tasks and processes across the entire business.
Enterprise Architecture is a catalyst for change, making possible the API strategy and itsexecution.
Going to the API-�cation, the companies need an organized journey that includes strategicand tactical activities (called execution activities too). The above pictures are showing a
proposed API-�cation journey.
References
https://api-university.com/blog/the-api-mandate/ (https://api-university.com/blog/the-api-mandate/), The Amazon API Mandate
© Scaled Agile, Inc. https://www.scaledagileframework.com/enterprise-architect/(https://www.scaledagileframework.com/enterprise-architect/)
https://blogs.mulesoft.com/dev/api-dev/what-is-api-led-connectivity/(https://blogs.mulesoft.com/dev/api-dev/what-is-api-led-connectivity/)
👉 Interested in APIs? Keep talking about how APIs are the XXI century prêt-à-porter? 👀
(https://santanderglobaltech.com/en/talking-about-apis-the-pret-a-porter-software/)
Danith Valles
Santander Technology & Operations
Danith is a Lead Enterprise Architect Team at Santander Group, working in global,
strategic and key initiatives as part of Banco Santander digital transformation and
innovation.
She has a long background in strategic and technological consulting, enterprise
innovation and business transformation. She has a degree in Computer and
System Engineering and holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from
Politécnica de Madrid University (UPM). She has an extensive experience as IT
professional, ranging of IT roles from senior consultant, manager, CTO and
architect in various industries such as Banking, Financial Services,
Telecommunications and Government. Previously she has worked in senior
positions as Technology Manager, Group Enterprise Architect at TIBCO Software
Inc., BBVA, Adidas and Intrum.
👉 My LinkedIn pro�le (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danith-valles-b41b6228/)
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