应用程序编程接口是一个很有前途的收入来源，那么为什么这么多公司错失了这个商机呢？他们如何将 API 的愿望转化为资产？
几十年来，我们一直在使用应用程序编程接口 （API）。这绝不是一项新的技术发展，但在数字化转型的时代，一些公司仍然没有得到充分利用API。
随着各行各业越来越多的企业将移动、Web 和企业软件引入其技术名册，他们将需要越来越依赖 API。需要这些接口来连接软件应用程序;将软件产品与大量数据和其他软件解决方案集成;并利用其他 API 来增强软件。
数字原生组织，如拼车应用程序、电子商务网站或社交媒体平台，已经投资于 API 支持。但是，并非起源于科技繁荣鼎盛时期的“传统”企业通常缺乏使用API将其商业模式“数字化”的先天实力和经验。
这是一个主要问题。未来的业务将由软件驱动，因此支持API。
企业可能表示 API 支持是优先事项，并将 API 视为财务上可行的产品，但大多数企业尚未实现其目标。那么，业务和技术领导者如何纠正并引导他们的团队采用产品 API 思维方式呢？
一. 确定问题区域
首先，在实施任何解决方案之前，必须确定挑战。各行各业的公司都背负着遗留系统——从过时的软件到不充分、孤立的数据。
对于许多企业来说，也存在一个文化问题，尤其是那些在过去几十年中没有出现的企业，这些企业拥有掌握 API 的专业知识和设计数字化商业模式的大胆、现代方法。对于一些公司来说，这可以追溯到缺乏领导层的支持。内部人才短缺以及对与外部合作伙伴和供应商合作的厌恶或疏忽也导致了 API 能力的乏善可陈。
二. 攻略
幸运的是，领导者可以通过多种方式解决这些障碍。尽管这可能会花费公司的时间、金钱和精力，但像产品或服务一样将 API 货币化的能力将为企业提供财务回报和竞争优势。
业务和技术领导者应按顺序开始，实施以下策略以启动其 API 支持：
- 修复组织思维 — 企业需要将 API 视为赚钱的产品。因此，每个团队都应该与 API 保持一致以提供功能。这可以通过整合变更管理实践和流程来实现，这些实践和流程可帮助业务和 IT 团队确保向 API 公开功能并分配某些“API 所有者”。
- 仔细考虑您的案例 — 在匆忙增强 API 支持的过程中，组织不能忘记业务基础知识 — 为其 API 实现开发深思熟虑的业务和用例。领导者必须了解 API 计划的潜在价值以及实际应用。这不仅可以确保公司明智地投资资金，还有助于教育高管了解 API 的巨大潜力。
- 建立 API 计划 — 每个组织都应该有一个专门的 API 利益相关者团队，从开发人员到业务团队成员，负责货币化和交付 API 支持策略。
三. 金融机构如何将 API 愿望转化为资产
一家在全球拥有超过 7000 万客户的跨国金融机构看到了墙上的文字。他们知道 API 具有未开发的潜力，但他们不知道从哪里开始他们的赋能之旅。
通过向受信任的业务合作伙伴（如金融科技初创公司）公开他们的 API，该公司能够为访问他们的 API 收取服务费。在一年内，他们通过 10 亿次 API 调用获利，开辟了新的收入来源和合作机会。通过在业务生态系统中安全地公开关键业务功能，该公司使其外部合作伙伴能够非常轻松地利用其 API。反过来，他们的合作伙伴能够制造他们通常永远没有能力这样做的产品和服务。
各行各业的许多企业都错过了这条船。他们需要接受组织转变，并将 API 视为产品和服务——就像数字原生品牌多年来所做的那样。通过将 API 视为赚钱的资产并制定全面的支持战略，组织可以扩大利润率并磨练竞争优势。
英文原文：
3 Key Tactics to Monetize APIs
Application programming interfaces are a promising source of revenue, so why are so many companies missing out on this business opportunity? And how can they turn API aspirations into assets?
We’ve been using application programming interfaces (APIs) for decades. It’s by no means a new technological development, but in the era of digital transformation, some companies are still underutilizing APIs.
As more businesses across industries introduce mobile, web, and enterprise software into their tech rosters, they will need to increasingly rely on APIs. These interfaces are needed to connect software applications; integrate software-enabled products with vast amounts of data and other software solutions; and tap into other APIs to enhance software.
Digital-native organizations, such as ride-share apps, e-commerce sites, or social media platforms, have invested in API enablement. But “traditional” enterprises that did not originate in the heyday of the tech boom typically lack the innate prowess and experience to “digitize” their business models using APIs.
That’s a major problem. The business of the future will be software-driven and therefore API-enabled.
Enterprises may state API enablement is priority and view APIs as financially viable products, but most have not reached their goals. So how do business and technology leaders course correct and lead their teams to a product API mindset?
1. Identifying the Issue Areas
First and foremost, it’s essential to identify challenges before implementing any solutions. Companies across the board are saddled with legacy systems — from outdated software to inadequate, siloed data.
There’s also a cultural issue for many enterprises, especially those that did not come on to the scene in the past couple of decades equipped with the expertise to master APIs and the bold, modern approach to design digitally enabled business models. For some companies, this can be traced back to a lack of leadership buy-in. Internal talent shortages and an aversion, or oversight, to working with external partners and vendors has also contributed to lackluster API capabilities.
2. Tackling Tactics
Fortunately, there are many ways leaders can address these barriers. Although it may cost companies time, money, and effort — the ability to monetize APIs just like products or services will provide enterprises with both financial returns and competitive advantages.
Starting in sequential order, business and tech leaders should implement the below tactics to get their API enablements off the ground:
- Mend the organizational mindset — Enterprises need to view APIs as money-making products. As such, every team should align to APIs to deliver capabilities. This can be done by incorporating change management practices and processes that help business and IT teams ensure capabilities are exposed to APIs and assign certain “API owners.”
- Carefully consider your cases — In their haste to enhance API enablements, organizations cannot forget the business basics — developing thoughtful business and use cases for their API implementations. Leaders must understand the potential value of API initiatives as well as the practical applications. This will not only ensure the company invests their money wisely, but it also helps to educate executives on the vast potential of APIs.
- Establish an API program — Every organization should have a dedicated team of API stakeholders, from developers to business team members, that are responsible for monetizing and delivering the API enablement strategy.
3. How a Financial Institution Turned API Aspirations into Assets
A multinational financial institution with over 70 million customers around the world saw the writing on the walls. They knew APIs had untapped potential, but they didn’t know where to begin on their enablement journey.
By exposing their APIs to trusted business partners, like fintech start-ups, this company was able to charge a service fee for access to their APIs. In a single year, they monetized a billion API calls, opening up new revenue streams and partnership opportunities. By securely exposing key business capabilities in a business ecosystem, this company made it very easy for their external partners to utilize their APIs. In turn, their partners were able to make products and services which they would normally never have the ability to do so.
Many enterprises across sectors are missing the boat. They need to embrace organizational shifts and think of APIs as products and services — like digital native brands have done for years. By viewing APIs as money-making assets and formulating a comprehensive enablement strategy, organizations can expand their profit margins and hone their competitive edge.
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