What is API integration?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s the use of an in-house or 3rd-party solution to connect your applications and databases via their APIs. <\/strong>Once connected, data can move freely between the systems, all but ensuring that your employees and partners can access the data they need within the platforms they rely on.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo help make this definition more tangible, let\u2019s use an API integration example<\/a>: <\/p>\n\n\n\nLet’s say that you decide to connect your CRM (e.g., Salesforce<\/a>) with your ERP system (e.g., NetSuite) via their APIs so that any time an opportunity closes in the former, it’s added to the latter automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s how you can build the integration:<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/blog2workato.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/BWWf5RQM0Y4UVL8D74ArEW2ajAZkz7Y6LHyT6rziBT_QRZQ4PgMXbRwnxNkvc2iO00CVUhTWAQwNc5ceqQD8JRCnZjWWtO_txS9Zg8Lz4wIGpQxjKfXpWZvgxbHaxUNZ6GgTGfOk6gyI3-snA-uaZ5M.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Once a sales rep updates an account in your CRM as \u201cClosed Won\u201d, the workflow gets triggered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If the account doesn\u2019t exist as a client in your ERP system, it gets added (along with all of the fields you’ve mapped from your CRM); if it does, the workflow skips to the next step.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The client gets updated in your ERP system (i.e., their status changes to something similar to “Closed Won”).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Related: <\/em>What you need to know before investing in an API integration platform<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to build API integrations effectively<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHere are some best practices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Pick an integration solution that uses the same deployment model as the applications you want to connect<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn other words, if the applications you want to integrate live on-premises, it makes sense to use an on-premises integration solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking to integrate applications in a hybrid (cloud and on-prem applications) or cloud-based scenario, you should leverage an integration solution that\u2019s deployed in the cloud, as it can optimize for performance and scalability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Avoid building integration logic inside applications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThere are a few reasons why this is the case. For one, your organization loses the integration logic you\u2019ve built when you move away from the associated application. Secondly, building complex integration logic inside an application requires a specific skillset that\u2019s difficult to find and retain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By using an integration middleware<\/a> or a generic scripting language instead, you\u2019re more likely to find internal resources to help implement and maintain your integrations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog2workato.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/9ieQrzBcF_VeLGPZt_idBVZbpa0rUhaCxRiWpLAoia0GrAAML0IFI2ezd3XTsjgqnwWmE2wRdfoOF-GjW7wj1w4zCWI1buHAFGh6QwYxziwtUhx9S9TELc1eWezNsOFuYa1Y1vA5mGYobKO7LseMCvo.png\")
A side-by-side comparison of building integration logic inside of apps and using either an integration middleware or a generic scripting language to integrate applications<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n3. Create internal API endpoints for commonly-accessed data<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAn internal API endpoint allows you to create a layer of abstraction from your source and destination applications\u2019 APIs. Similar to the last best practice, this makes you less vulnerable when you need to move away from a given application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, let\u2019s say that various systems need a cost center record from an application like SAP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To help systems access this record, you\u2019re deciding between two scenarios: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Using a middleware tool to build an endpoint for retrieving the cost center record <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Having SAP provide the endpoint for the cost center record<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In the event that you replace SAP with another application, all you\u2019d need to do in the first scenario is modify the API endpoint so that it retrieves the record from the new application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While in the second scenario, you\u2019d need to reconfigure each integration that was built between the downstream app and SAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Always create detailed documentation of each API integration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDetailed, readily-accessible documentation is critical for enabling colleagues to understand integrations\u2014which, in turn, can help them fix or improve any issues quickly over time. And while there\u2019s a variety of information you can include, referencing the vendors\u2019 API specifications should be a top priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Take advantage of APIs\u2019 near real-time capabilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUnlike legacy approaches to integration (e.g., using files), APIs allow you to move data in short time intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With this in mind, try to design your API integrations such that they capitalize on this capability\u2014especially in scenarios where the faster the data moves, the more your team benefits. And if any applications offer webhooks, take advantage of them so that you can move data in real-time.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog2workato.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pU1lZ22F6Qy96kZH6aqwFhYhhokGZTsQW1PtyAXPChza64UVojU0_zrDr8LKYueaetMvTUTncSbL7X9BN6gTd2G9gfiDiGixhS4gHWzZc5Ad1lg6gTXIS6xiLcJE6Ca6AwJK1rnDI6dko1u0nfglBoo.png\")
A short list of API integrations that need data to move in, or near, real-time<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nRelated: <\/em>The most important benefits of API integration<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nImplement API integrations and automate workflows end-to-end with Workato<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWorkato, the leader in enterprise automation, lets you build API integrations with ease through its pre-built application connectors and automation templates. The platform also allows your organization to go further in its digital transformation journey by providing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Workbot\u00ae<\/a>, a customizable platform bot for Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Workplace from Meta that allows your employees to trigger and interact with automations within their business communications platform<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- An API Platform that enables your team to develop, publish, and manage APIs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- A low-code\/no-code UX that allows business teams to play a role in implementing and managing integrations and automations <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Enterprise-grade governance and security controls through platform features like role-based access control, Automation HQ<\/a>, and enterprise key management<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\r\n
To help make this definition more tangible, let\u2019s use an API integration example<\/a>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s say that you decide to connect your CRM (e.g., Salesforce<\/a>) with your ERP system (e.g., NetSuite) via their APIs so that any time an opportunity closes in the former, it’s added to the latter automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how you can build the integration:<\/p>\n\n\n Related: <\/em>What you need to know before investing in an API integration platform<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some best practices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, if the applications you want to integrate live on-premises, it makes sense to use an on-premises integration solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking to integrate applications in a hybrid (cloud and on-prem applications) or cloud-based scenario, you should leverage an integration solution that\u2019s deployed in the cloud, as it can optimize for performance and scalability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few reasons why this is the case. For one, your organization loses the integration logic you\u2019ve built when you move away from the associated application. Secondly, building complex integration logic inside an application requires a specific skillset that\u2019s difficult to find and retain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n By using an integration middleware<\/a> or a generic scripting language instead, you\u2019re more likely to find internal resources to help implement and maintain your integrations. <\/p>\n\n\n An internal API endpoint allows you to create a layer of abstraction from your source and destination applications\u2019 APIs. Similar to the last best practice, this makes you less vulnerable when you need to move away from a given application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, let\u2019s say that various systems need a cost center record from an application like SAP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To help systems access this record, you\u2019re deciding between two scenarios: <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the event that you replace SAP with another application, all you\u2019d need to do in the first scenario is modify the API endpoint so that it retrieves the record from the new application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While in the second scenario, you\u2019d need to reconfigure each integration that was built between the downstream app and SAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Detailed, readily-accessible documentation is critical for enabling colleagues to understand integrations\u2014which, in turn, can help them fix or improve any issues quickly over time. And while there\u2019s a variety of information you can include, referencing the vendors\u2019 API specifications should be a top priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike legacy approaches to integration (e.g., using files), APIs allow you to move data in short time intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this in mind, try to design your API integrations such that they capitalize on this capability\u2014especially in scenarios where the faster the data moves, the more your team benefits. And if any applications offer webhooks, take advantage of them so that you can move data in real-time.<\/p>\n\n\n Related: <\/em>The most important benefits of API integration<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Workato, the leader in enterprise automation, lets you build API integrations with ease through its pre-built application connectors and automation templates. The platform also allows your organization to go further in its digital transformation journey by providing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
How to build API integrations effectively<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Pick an integration solution that uses the same deployment model as the applications you want to connect<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Avoid building integration logic inside applications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Create internal API endpoints for commonly-accessed data<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
4. Always create detailed documentation of each API integration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Take advantage of APIs\u2019 near real-time capabilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Implement API integrations and automate workflows end-to-end with Workato<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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