Sometimes at work you hear a word and you know something about it, but not exactly what it means. An example is the word API. "Something with computers, IT, Apps" That's right, you are in the right direction! (Web) developers can undoubtedly give you more information about APIs. But also from our area of expertise - sending SMS - there are many interesting things to tell about an API. Not only what it is, but also how a good API provides additional communication power.
Messenger behind the scenes
If you enter the word API into the Google search engine, you get a rather abstract definition: “A set of definitions that allows a computer programme to communicate with another programme or component.” Perhaps it is not very clear yet. To begin with, the abbreviation API stands for Application Programming Interface. The meaning and operation of an API can best be explained by means of an example. Suppose you buy a new coat online with your credit card. Then the following happens:
• You enter your credit card details on the website concerned.
• The website uses an API to send your data (secured).
• If the verification is OK, the payment can proceed.
• [response] If the payment is successful, the API gets the confirmation and passes an ‘approval’ to the website.
What an API does exactly, you as a user cannot see. It happens ‘behind the scenes’. You can compare an API with a messenger that comes with a request and then returns with the response. An API therefore ensures a smooth communication between different (complex) channels, without the user noticing a thing.
What is REST API?
REST stands for REpresentational State Transfer. It is a way of allowing software to talk to other software independently of operating systems. In other words, with a REST API, a user can request resources in a language that the server understands, and the server can respond with the resource in a language that the user can handle. A REST API thus provides a uniform interface between user and server.
REST APIs are stateless. This means that the server does not maintain connections and does not store information about the user in active memory. So the API treats each request as an initial request. Another advantage: REST APIs are layered systems, which makes them easy to extend.
The importance of API’s
Even though most people do not have a direct view on how APIs work, we cannot imagine life without them. APIs have been behind many major technological changes over the past twenty years: in commerce and payments, in social media, in cloud computing, in mobile data traffic, in devices with an internet connection, and so on.
Companies that want to stay ahead of the competition will not be able to do so without API’s in the near future. Business will increasingly be technology-driven, with API’s as a priority. Not only for developers, but also for managers and directors of leading companies. For example, our customers (from retailers and hospitals to financial institutions) want to be able to send SMS messages to their customers quickly and easily. And they do so with, indeed… an SMS API.
The advantages of SMS API
The SMS API of Spryng sends millions of SMS every day and reaches more than 900 networks worldwide. It goes without saying that there are many advantages to this way of communicating:
Efficient automation
An API can manually automate processes between two applications. Even if your company regularly sends the same message, an SMS API can distribute these messages quickly and simply without manual intervention. Time-sensitive messages can easily be scheduled to be sent at exactly the right time. Think for example of an appointment reminder by SMS, a confirmation or status update.
Visibility & Tracking
With an API, you can see exactly when messages have been delivered to the recipient’s device. This audit trail allows you to take immediate action when messages are not delivered.
Send SMS quickly, reliably and securely
An SMS API offers direct access to the SMS Gateway. This means your messages are sent faster; you can send hundreds or even thousands of SMS messages simultaneously to your target group(s) within seconds. But speed is not the only thing that matters when sending business SMS messages. Security is also a top priority at Spryng. We work on your and our (data) security:
• Bearer token
• ISO 27001 + NEN 7510 certified
• CSV exchange via SFTP connection
• Penetration tests
• GDPR compatible
• Backups & monitoring
• Advanced number recognition
• End-to-end encryption
Smooth integration with other systems
Our SMS API works on almost all platforms and applications, so you can manage your messages from one interface. This makes it a lot easier to create and execute an integrated communication or marketing strategy.
The Spryng APIs
Spryng has a versatile set of integrations, including API, REST API, SFTP, and Mail2SMS.
These can be integrated more easily through various SDKs, plugins and sample codes in different languages. In this way, we offer a complete and secure SMS service to our customers. Who then use it to serve their customers
Spryng’s private clouds are located within Europe, providing additional support for data protection, identity and access management, infrastructure security, threat detection, monitoring, compliance and data privacy. Because a secure SMS service is just as important to us as a fast SMS service.
Want to know more about the benefits for you?
Feel free to contact Spryng, via +31 20 770 30 05 or via info@spryng.nl. Then together we’ll look at what APIs can do to digitally support and unburden your organisation and customers. Without you having to understand every technical detail. Spryng takes care of that for you. Or rather, our API does.
Curious? Find out more about our API’s here.
