One of the most important innovations in IT is application programming interface (API). In business, API is key to maintaining a streamlined flow of information between your various applications. When choosing an accounting solution, you need a product that utilizes a strong API to ensure fast, reliable data flow.
What Is API?
API consists of the fundamental protocols and IT definitions that enable applications to integrate and communicate with each other, serving as an IT intermediary to relay data from one application to another in order to initiate an effect. An example of this would be in how the Salesforce Field Service Lightning (FSL) app is able to register a payment and then share the transaction’s data with Accounting Seed to create the associated general ledger entry.
Why Is It So Critical?
Without API, IT integration and flexibility would be impossible. A robust API helps solutions become flexible and allows them to be used and controlled easily. They actually provide ‘building blocks’ for applications, making this technology a cornerstone of modern IT architecture. APIs define functionalities while allowing programs to respond fluidly to requests, even independently of their original implementations. This allows applications to be flexible and heavily responsive to users without compromising overarching IT structure. This is important when the software needs to meet unique requirements or connect with a variety of different applications.
Designed with poor or restrictive API, the application in question will lack the bandwidth to perform outside of its out-of-the-box design. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to adapt to unique user requirements. The tech simply won’t be as responsive. This also compromises the dependability of integrations, causing them to break or disfunction.
Robust API indicates strong, flexible software. Software developers also save time building and customizing solutions. When users need a change or for the application to perform a certain way, functions don’t have to be completely rewritten every time. This saves time and money, while helping your application continuously adapt to your needs. It also lets you successfully connect various business tools to streamline all your core operations. This includes accounting.
How Does Connectivity Empower Accounting?
API is critical for modern cloud accounting because the software you use throughout your business needs to speak to the accounting solution. From generating orders to managing projects, all areas of the business have a financial dimension. These tools need to transfer the transaction data to your accounting system for efficient financial management. This means good accounting depends on reliable IT connections.
If the API isn’t robust, these connections will break or be delayed, causing data errors. You may have to resort to manually entering and validating accounting information. You may even need to juggle multiple spreadsheets just to organize your accounts. On the other hand, using an accounting tool equipped with strong API lets you streamline the accounting life cycle from start to finish. But what does a strong API look like?
The Power of Open API
Open API is the most adaptable and resilient API on the market and is used by several major technology platforms, most notably, Salesforce. Any given business software may utilize several different types of APIs associated with various tasks. However, open API often provides a flexible but resilient foundation for the system to be tailored for individual use.
Open API serves as a kind of template for the software. While the core components and functionality of the system remain intact, users can easily customize and adapt the technology to their needs. This also lets applications connect reliably with other solutions, even outside a shared platform. This can be seen with native applications on the Salesforce Platform©.
Salesforce API
Open API has helped make Salesforce the most flexible and secure business platform in the industry. Native Salesforce apps, software built with Salesforce API and architecture, are able to connect seamlessly on the platform. This is done without the pains or risks of traditional multi-platform integration. However, even if you’re not using the Salesforce CRM, applications powered by Salesforce have inherited its foundational open API. This means that native Salesforce solutions like Accounting Seed can still reliably connect to outside software.
Example: Accounting Seed’s use of Salesforce API allows for a seamless connection with Stripe, Avalara, and other solutions not on Salesforce. This gives Accounting Seeed a serious edge on or off the Salesforce Platform.
Robust API = Stronger Accounting
A native Salesforce accounting solution, Accounting Seed is automatically equipped to link to other native tools, but that’s not all. The open API of Salesforce enables our platform to reliably integrate with a variety of other ERP and standalone products. Whether you’re on or off Salesforce, we are the connected accounting solution that gives end-to-end visibility of your financial data. From mission-critical business applications to over 14,000 banks, Accounting Seed gives you the connection you need for fast, efficient accounting.
Schedule a free demo today to explore how Accounting Seed helps you manage finances your way.