First published on 7th November, 2016
An efficient API strategy paves way for pervasive adoption of applications, enabling an airline to greatly expand its presence across related applications.
Airlines need to act swiftly and make the most of APIs in a connected world.
This is imperative as systems move to the cloud, mobile devices become ubiquitous, and the Internet of Things unleashes novel ways of connecting with passengers.
As Kevin O’Shaughnessy, CEO and co-founder, Indigo.gt, recommends, “Be your own API”.
API-driven
All systems – whether digital or legacy - must work and run on APIs. The likes of Google, Uber, and Alibaba have leveraged technology to unify their end-to-end operations. These organizations are in a position to serve their offerings with outstanding accuracy, maximising their operations while engaging directly with and owning their consumers.
A competent API platform lets interoperate with other enterprise solutions regardless of technology or platform. It facilitates an enterprise model that opens technology to connect people, organizations, and resources in an interactive ecosystem. Airlines can reap several benefits, be it for serving customers during their various stages of their journey as well as working out tool sets for configurability and integration to partner merchants.
It’s time airlines refine their API strategy, which is about working on a proficient interface to an IT application or data source that allows authorized applications or machines to easily access it.
As Kevin points out, do value on focus on first. APIs offer a myriad of value propositions within airlines and travel companies.
Ritesh Gupta
Follow Ai on Twitter: @Ai_Connects_Us