Prism by Building Engines uses an open API infrastructure. Let’s take a moment to describe what that is and what the benefits are.
API stands for application programming interface. In summary, it is a set of rules that allows software applications to communicate with each other
An open API is an API that 3rd party customers and vendors can use. A “closed API”, in contrast, allows no one programatic access to the functionality of a system thus they are restricted to the precise user interface presented. We allow for varied cases where customers can pull data to push into their own accounting systems, or pull for a private data lake, provide a bespoke interface to tenants or users , or push in data synchronizing Prism users, buildings, and others according to the customer needs.
There are several benefits to using Open API which include…
- Developer benefits
Open APIs can reduce dependencies between teams, save time on code fixes, and allow developers to use their preferred development tools. They can also make it easier for developers to connect older systems with newer ones, and change systems without worrying about compatibility.
- Organizational benefits
Open APIs can enable organizations to expand their user base, create new revenue streams, and foster innovation without investing heavily in niche software development. They can also allow for seamless integration between different platforms, making data sharing easier and enabling cross-functional collaboration. This enhanced connectivity can create a greater ROI, as the costs of an Open API are usually less than the profits gained by their implementation.
- Other benefits
Open APIs can also be useful for creating server SDKs and client CDKs in multiple programming languages, and work well with code generation tools. The OpenAPI Specification defines a standard, language-agnostic interface to RESTful APIs, which allows both humans and computers to understand the capabilities of the service without access to source code, documentation, or through network traffic inspection.