The document discusses the importance of an API strategy in the context of digital business transformation, emphasizing that APIs are essential for connecting customers to products and should be monetized. It outlines key components for building an API foundation, such as proper planning, governance, and a supportive IT transformation strategy to facilitate effective internal alignment and integration. It highlights the need for a strong digital infrastructure to remain competitive in an increasingly mobile and digital marketplace.

1. API Strategy for Connected Business
Executive Briefing Series
Jeffrey Hasan, Enterprise Architecture

2. The API Economy
• Business transactions are rapidly shifting to cloud-based
digital revenue channels powered by APIs.
• APIs connect customers to your business products and
services.Via mobile/social/Web apps or direct consumption.
• APIs are the foundation of your digital strategy.
• APIs can (and should) be monetized: Salesforce.com
generates equivalent revenue between its SaaS product and
its APIs.

3. Building an API Foundation
• Commoditization of IT is lowering the cost and complexity
of building cloud-based, on-demand APIs.
• Wide vendor support for building, publishing and managing
APIs. Highlights:
• CA’s Layer 7 API Gateway supports mobile applications
built on APIs. Provides security, message handling,
integration with internal systems.
• SOA Software’s API lifecycle management product
supports API development and management.
• API initiatives require proper planning, technology
architecture, governance and quality assurance.
• APIs are a key customer-facing channel for your business and
must be built on quality and trust.

4. Planning an API Strategy
• APIs are a key customer-facing channel for your business and
must be built on quality and trust.
• API releases are like application releases only they are being
consumed across multiple applications and channels. Planning
is critical!
• Build the right technology team of architects, developers and
systems engineers.
• Invest in the right infrastructure.
• Lifecycle management and governance are critical.
• Proper planning, investment, quality and management will
create a strong API platform foundation to power your digital
business strategy goals.

5. IT Transformation Supports API Strategy
• An API strategy requires a corresponding IT transformation
strategy .
• Investment in an API strategy requires a commitment to IT
transformation to achieve the right level of internal alignment
to support the API platform.
• An API platform is not simply a layer that can paper over
dysfunction in the backend systems. It requires a rational
application and information architecture backend.
• Enterprise system silos do not easily support rapid
integration and sharing of data with services.
• Enterprise integration and data architecture strategies can
address the silo effect: build new system interfaces and move
the data to centralized databases where it can be more easily
consumed.

6. Decision Planning
• No business can function today without a digital business
strategy.
• Identify target business transaction and revenue objectives
over digital channels.
• Calibrate the API strategy, roadmap, timelines and investment
according to business objectives.
• Future is now: mobile applications became a dominant
customer channel in just a few short years. You need a
strong digital foundation to be competitive today and
prepared for what comes next.