In the still-growing world of cloud computing and its neurally-networked fabric of interlaced layers, we have fast come to rely upon Application Programming Programming Interfaces (APIs) as a means of forming the glue between different applications and services.
On paper (virtual or otherwise) access to APIs is ubiquitous, fair and democratically balanced in order for all software application development professionals.
In reality, some engineering teams will find it harder to plug into (figuratively, literally and technically) the API stratosphere, either as a result of use of clunky incumbent platform issues, inability to open existing systems to the benefits of API connectivity or some other legacy issue related to system endpoint (as in application, not as in device) connectivity.
Now aiming to make things easier is SofwareAG.
The company has launched new updates to its webMethods platform that it claims will simplify the process by which developers can find, work on and deploy new APIs and integration tools or capabilities.
Let’s ‘embed’ APIs
The new API Marketplace will allow companies to set up communities where API and application developers can work together effectively. A new ‘embed’ feature will enable cloud-centric (and let’s hope, soon, cloud-native) companies to quickly add integration capabilities into their software.
“API management is a crucial area for companies to execute. As the world becomes more distributed – across companies, partners and regions – the need to be connected is greater than ever. Our aim is to simplify this connected world and to help data move around an organization. The latest updates to webMethods will help our customers become more efficient in their API strategies,” said Dr Stefan Sigg, CPO at SoftwareAG.
Sigg reminds us that every company is feeling the pinch in technology skills, which is why his firm says it wants to help manage that resource as best as possible through greater collaboration and automation.
“We want to give organizations opportunities to combine buy ‘and’ build – enabling them to spend their precious development time on customization for their specific needs,” he said.
A unified marketplace
In the unified webMethods API Marketplace. Companies can now roll out an ‘off-the-shelf’ community space instead of spending significant time building one from scratch.
Application developers can find the APIs they need, with an indication of whether they’re live or still being worked on. While API developers can connect with app developers to help ensure that their APIs fit the requirements of the application. Companies are able to set the parameters for these communities, with the option to allow external developers to participate in this process.
The need to be more connected and to keep data moving is something organizations prioritize in their software choices. So then, webMethods Embed (and let’s capitalize it to denote its product status here) is a new feature that software developers can use to build integration capabilities into their software from its launch. It offers a drag-and-drop capability to save them time, plus, it also allows them to roll out SaaS offers with Low-Code/No-Code capabilities for the end user
Embed now allows developers to quickly add 550+ connectors to apps and data, sophisticated orchestration and easy workflow design.
APIs are now products
Suraj Kumar, head of integration, API and microservices at Software AG added: “APIs have become products and for businesses that means they need a marketplace for them and the ability to control the speed of delivery. Traditional API portals are difficult to customize, often inflexible and don’t play well with all API gateways. Tthen there’s the challenge of getting new developments live. Through our API Marketplace and our Container Registry, we’re helping our customers to manage the complexity of creating connections.”
Another feature here is the webMethods Container Registry. This technology is hoped to cut weeks from the time needed to deploy webMethods software into private cloud environments by automating many of the complex tasks associated with containerization.
The complexity of deploying new software into a private cloud environment can require months of high-value developer resources. The pre-containerized offering from webMethods significantly reduces this requirement, helping those organizations that need to evaluate efficiency improvements in every area.
Additional updates here include integrated API security, tested and validated with SoftwareAG’s partner Noname Security for discovering unmanaged APIs, identifying and blocking complex API attacks and understanding data exposure to protect sensitive data.
The latest updates for webMethods are available immediately for on-premise customers and are on a continuous rollout for cloud environments.
