What is an API?

Put simply, an Application Programming Interface (API) is like a bridge which connects different software.  By having this ‘bridge’ in place, data can be passed between both pieces of software.

There is already a lot of information out there about APIs, and, in all honesty, they’re written by people who can explain it better than we can! Therefore, if you would like more background information on APIs, we recommend taking a look at the article ‘What is an API?’ from Postman.

 

Why would anyone want to use the API for their Toolkit data?

If you work for an organisation that has a team proficient in software and modern technology, you may already be utilising software such as Microsoft Power BI to explore data that considers matters like ticketing or customer behaviour. Using the API, you can ‘pull through’ your data collected in Culture Counts to the software you’re using to explore your data collected elsewhere.

Therefore, using the API enables deeper interrogation of your data.

 

How do I go about using the API?

We have a guidance document ready for your perusal. Please do check it out if you feel you’re in a position to make use of the Impact & Insight Toolkit API. Click here to be taken directly to the ‘Using the Toolkit API’ guidance.

 

Hmm… I’m not sure that using an API is suitable for my organisation

That is absolutely fine!

We appreciate that using an API won’t be for everyone. However, we’re of the opinion that data silos can be a major limiting factor in making use of data. Therefore, we are introducing this API to support you in furthering your exploration of all your organisation’s data.

 

Using the API is not a requirement for Toolkit success, but, if you are already working with your own dashboards, we trust it will be a welcome addition.

 

 

Featured image credit: Tai Bui on Unsplash