API management includes creating, publishing, securing, monitoring, and securing APIs. APIs should be appropriately documented, secure, thoroughly tested, regularly updated, and highly reliable. Using a tool is the only way to satisfy API management requirements. Thus, API management tools have come into play and are becoming more popular.
What is API Management?
API is an interface that allows applications to access the features or OS data. APIs are messengers that transmit and deliver requests to providers. In addition, API can return a response.
A solution for API management helps businesses manage APIs. Users need APIs to access your organization’s data and software at any time, anywhere. A rich user experience can also be easily created by developers using these tools. Also, it can support a wide range of devices.
What are API Management Tools?
An API management tool simplifies the process of publishing and API integration. It acts as an interface between your business and the developers. These tools enable you to define who can access APIs and set usage policies. API tools can collect analytics on a tool’s usage and determine security protocols.
Many companies offer both API management tools and platforms. Third-party API management solutions enable easy managing of APIs without requiring internal resources.
Best API Management Tools
- Apigee
Apigee API Management assists with Cloud, Employee Apps, Partners Apps, and Consumer Apps. A developer portal offers run-time monetization, monitoring, and analytics features. Various delivery options are available, including proxy, agent, and hybrid technology. With Apigee API management solutions, developers can develop and deliver apps. Cloud-based apps can be developed using the data and tools provided by the platform. Using analytics, you can track API traffic and measure KPIs.
- IBM API Management
IBM’s API Connect platform allows users to create and manage APIs in the cloud. The system has several features related to security and governance. It includes a developer portal, a self-service coding environment, and real-time analytics. API creation is automated with model-driven tools. Traffic management and security features are included for APIs and data protection. A self-service portal will empower developers. Consumers and API providers can both access analytics on API usage. Deploy components across multiple clouds, including Docker, AWS, Azure, IBM Cloud private, etc.
- Red Hat 3scale API Management
Red Hat 3scale API Management simplifies sharing, deploying, and monetizing APIs across clouds. It provides a centralized dashboard for configuration, monitoring, and logging. The traffic control mechanism gives high priority to security and compliance. Red Hat Fuse, an agile integration solution, is one of the most appealing platforms. In addition to accelerating API creation, it provides many conveniences.
- Nevatech Sentinet
The Nevatech Sentinet API Management Platform enables rapid integration of new applications, services, and devices. A scalable API delivery platform, Sentinet helps you deliver APIs securely. RESTful APIs also make it easy for secure applications to integrate with each other. Moreover, the product supports over 20 authentication providers throughout the development process.
By integrating applications, services, and devices rapidly, the solution protects existing infrastructure. Sentinet’s GUI-based developer portal allows developers to create modern RESTful APIs quickly. Sentinet offers both on-premises and cloud API management capabilities.
- MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform connects apps and data across the entire API lifecycle. The MuleSoft Anypoint Platform integrates with SaaS solutions such as Salesforce, ServiceNow, Box, and more. Additionally, it integrates with over 70 APIs. The platform has a pluggable, open architecture that seamlessly integrates existing systems. Additionally, it’s built on open standards so that it can be integrated with any application. Through an open, pluggable architecture, the platform provides secure access to data. MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform connects any application with open standards. With the solution, you can easily create and integrate APIs with more than 70 APIs.
- Boomi API Management
You can design, create, and publish APIs using Boomi API Management. REST APIs, SOAP APIs, and web service APIs can all be managed centrally. With Boomi API management, you can simplify integration, integrating APIs into vast architectures. There are also tools to transform data and integrate feeds that deserve praise. It is a great ETL tool to use Boomi. You can gather data from various sources and transform using an enterprise database. Maintaining consistency within the organization is made possible by defining standards.
What Is The Purpose of API Management Platforms?
It is challenging to manually execute API management even when good processes are in place. API management platforms are beneficial for five reasons:
Security threats and issues are reduced by using a dedicated API management platform. Additionally, API gateways provide granular access control for user identities and developer workspaces. You can easily revoke access when necessary.
- Make APIs More Visible.
Most products allow you to view API calls’ frequency and response time. You can use it to identify where your infrastructure needs performance improvements. Sometimes, monitoring tools can even alert developers when the application goes down. Users may not be aware of the problem until it has been fixed. Monitor all new updates and patches to make sure you’re always up-to-date.
- Streamline The Development Process
API management platforms help speed development by offering pre-built building blocks. These blocks cover everyday use cases such as authorization, authentication, and validation. Developers can also reuse these building blocks across multiple interfaces. It eliminates the need to write any custom code. It saves valuable time on maintenance activities like testing or fixing errors..
- Integration With Other Systems
API management tools make integrating applications or software with new partners’ apps easier. The user experience will improve as a result. Your users will also appreciate a platform with an API marketplace for finding and integrating other apps.
- Ensure API Governance
A good API product explains its use in detail and provides tools for monitoring usage. The three most popular ones are quota management, rate limiting, and throttling. Business groups and teams can enforce policies using this tool.
Wrap up
Modern digital businesses rely on API management tools. They publish, integrate, and build APIs across the cloud to drive innovation. It helps to keep up with their competitors. The global marketplace is moving at breakneck speeds. Companies without an API strategy could quickly fall behind. API stacks serve as a foundation for innovation and a driver of success. So they are essential to success. Choose an API management tool based on your company’s goals and budget constraints. We hope this blog helped give you some ideas about finding one that works for you.