Presenters:
Steve
Anderson, Steve Anderson Consulting
Duke Williams, Simply Easier Payments
Application programming interfaces (APIs) are programs that allow
different digital systems to speak to each other. They facilitate the smooth
interchange of data to minimize error and inefficiency. E-signature is a type
of API. Banking is full of them. For example, you may instruct your bank to transfer
money for a car payment. An API works behind the scenes to allow your bank to
communicate with your car loan company.
Jerry Fox says, "You can make an API your own through branding.
You may think Wells Fargo is transferring your money, but its really the API."
Created in January 2019, ACTs
API Work Group hopes to identify one to three actions ACT should take regarding
APIs in the next six to 10 months. In that vein, the presenters ran several
polls at the ACT Meeting in Cincinnati this May. Those polls gave a snapshot of
the sense of the community regarding the use of APIs.
Poll # 1: Have you implemented,
or do you use an API? (could include something as simple as linking to Google
Maps to give directions to your shop)
86% - Yes
8% - No
6% - Considering
Poll # 2: For those using APIs, how are you using them? (most
responses to fewest)
Rating
Marketing
Quoting
CRM
Integration
Website
Social media
Poll # 3: For those who are not using an API, the
primary reasons are...
No current integrations with management system vendors,
Potential security issues,
Cost,
Lack of internal expertise, and
The need for standards around APIs.
For those who are dealing with third-party vendors to create or
use an API, make sure you get their certifications and SOC-1 / SOC-2 reports.
Verifying the credentials of anyone with deep access to your systems is
crucial.
Audience Q&A
Is there a resource that shows what APIs are available?
Coverager (www.coverager.com) allows you to filter by geography, company types,
and company name.
Is there something available at the state level?
The
API Work Group needs feedback if that is something agents want. Do you want
webinars, lightning learning, experts who can come to your meetings? Please
pass on your thoughts to the group.
ACT leadership will take feedback from this session and meet with the
API Work Group to further develop its mission.