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I n the world of scheduling software, what is an API, and what relevance do programming interfaces have in the field service industry? What added value do they bring? We will get to the bottom of these questions in this article. You will also learn how an API enables a quick integration of FLS VISITOUR to your leading ERP system.

The market for business software is growing relentlessly. Companies of all sizes, from international corporations to regional operations use software solutions and web services to map and support business processes. In the rarest cases, a company uses only one software or one web service. This is because the requirements are always individual and diverse. Even complex ERP systems reach their limits. Progressive digitalisation is therefore leading organisations to rely on standardised interfaces and modern technology stacks.

APIs AS A CONNECTION FOR YOUR APPLICATION LANDSCAPE

The requirement is obvious: In the operative business, various software solutions as well as web services are used, which are supposed to contribute to optimised commercial processes. But what use are the most diverse programmes if they won't communicate with each other? A lot of additional work, like for example, rekeying, because data must be transferred manually. In this case, the solution consists of three letters: API.

An application programming interface (API for short) consists of the basic communication protocol, the functions offered and the format of the messages exchanged, which enables developers to let software or web services interact with an external system.

To illustrate, think back to childhood days. You are sitting in your room playing Lego. Fortunately, you can fall back on the bricks from your box and do not have to make every single brick yourself. All the bricks can be joined together equally well. So it's a real time saver. The notches on the top of the bricks are the API. Because they make it possible to connect the bricks, even with bricks from other manufacturers.

CONNECTING FLS VISITOUR WITH YOUR SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE

Around 30 years of project experience equals routine. With these years of experience from countless integration projects, we can guarantee one thing: The lightning-fast connection of FLS VISITOUR with your ERP system. It almost doesn't matter which existing systems you rely on.

To enable you to use the services of our scheduling and route planning software as quickly as possible, we provide FLS VISITOUR via web application servers. Integration is then easy thanks to the use of web services. Among other things, we use self-developed solutions based on standards and common protocols such as REST (OpenAPI standard):