DEVOPSdigest

IBM announced API Harmony with intelligent cloud-based API matchmaking technology for developers as part of a series of technology, product and services announcements to advance the growing API Economy.

API Harmony provides a unique developer experience, now using cognitive technologies like intelligent mapping and graph technology to anticipate what a developer will require to build new apps, make recommendations on which APIs to use, show API relationships, and identify what is missing.

The new services and solutions include:

- Strategy: With IBM’s API Economy Journey Map, consultants who are part of the company’s new cognitive practice will help clients identify key opportunities and gauge their readiness on their journey in the API Economy.

- Technologies: For the first time, IBM has infused intelligent mapping capabilities into its API Harmony technology that helps developers use intelligent search technology to quickly and easily find APIs and choose the combination of APIs that will be most effective for a given application.

- Ecosystem: IBM is collaborating with the Linux Foundation and leading industry standards organizations to provide an open platform for building, managing, securing, and integrating open APIs.

IBM is providing clients transformational cognitive computing capabilities in the form of APIs that deliver the power of its Watson technology through a comprehensive set of tools and services. IBM’s Watson APIs are managed by IBM API Management on Bluemix, bringing approximately 30 cognitive-based APIs and capabilities of Ecosystem Partners and developers to industries.

"The API Economy opens up new opportunities for innovation in both business model and technology strategy when enterprises participate with digital business services,” said Marie Wieck, GM, IBM Middleware. “To succeed in the API Economy and reach new clients, enterprises need an open ecosystem for trusted exchange and a differentiating strategy for how they monetize those services. IBM is helping guide clients every step of the way into this API Economy as they start their journey to becoming cognitive businesses.”

To make the most of the API Economy, IBM will offer workshops and digital transformation services that help clients quickly develop and adopt an API strategy. Also, Starter workshops allow developers to leave with a functioning API after spending just four days in one of IBM’s Bluemix Garage venues. Clients will benefit from digital transformation services that provide industry-specific strategic consulting to help organizations with the shift to full adoption and exploitation of APIs.

The company is also expanding cognitive technologies into its API portfolio. IBM API Harmony, a cloud service available through the IBM Cloud on Bluemix, its cloud platform, allows developers to use intelligent search technology to quickly and easily find APIs and choose the combination of APIs that will be most effective for a given application. API Harmony connects producers and consumers in an API Economy by anticipating what is needed next, making recommendations on which APIs to use, showing API relationships, and identifying what is missing. In simplest terms, it acts as a matchmaker of APIs for developers and IT managers to facilitate the process of building new applications.

IBM’s API Management software supports enterprise hybrid cloud deployments through both on-premises and public environments, helping organizations manage, secure, publish, and socialize APIs by providing a portal to attract and engage app developers, as well as foster the use of published APIs for hybrid cloud deployments. Clients can view operational metrics and gain business insights into how apps are performing in the market.

The new services and solutions complement IBM’s portfolio of API solutions such as its DataPower API gateway products for securely deploying and scaling APIs and its newly acquired StrongLoop capabilities for developing new APIs using Node.js.