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In a time where integrations are key to building efficient Martech stacks, an open API is a necessity. But what is an API and why is it important? We will update you!
When building efficient Martech stacks, integrations are necessary for efficiency. To make that possible, an open API is a must. Since QBank has an open API, we or those in access to it, can build almost any kind of integration to us.
What is an API?
In the simplest terms, APIs are sets of requirements that govern how one application or web service like QBank can talk to another. You might have used an app on your smartphone that you can login to using your Facebook account? That was made possible using an API. APIs are not only used for logging people into their favorite smartphone games, they can also be used to share information between two systems or even post data from one system into another system. Like reading your friends list or sending those annoying game invites.
Why is an API important?
Most companies today (large or small) are running their business using a multitude of applications and services. They might use one for accounting, another for CRM and yet another for project management. The need to tie these systems together is becoming more and more important. APIs are a way to do just that throughout your entire organization. The better the API, the more you can integrate the systems and run your business more efficiently.
The technical stuff
We decided to use a RESTful API for QBank, we lean towards using JSON for data exchange but we are nice enough to give you XML as an option too. Authentication is made using OAuth2 Resource Owner Password Credentials or Authorization Code depending on the implementation.
Efficient MARTECH STACKs
Today QBank has more than 30 accessible integrations, all made possible thanks to open APIs. Below is a selection of QBank's connectors.
QBank's API is used in image pickers that integrate into CMS like WordPress, Optimizely (formerly Episerver) and Drupal or used to pick images to your PowerPoint presentation, InDesign or Word document and more.
Our API is also used to create public image banks (see Image Bank Sweden for example) or used to fetch images in the right size for the Scan recipe bank.
Our client Dometic Group, has built a great solution with QBank as their hub. They've integrated QBank to Sitecore, InDesign, YouTube and inriver PIM.
