What Are APIs and How You Can Benefit From Using Them in Shipping

Definition: What is an API? 

Think of an API as a bridge that allows two different systems or applications to talk to each other and exchange information. Just like you need a key to unlock a door, APIs provide the "key" or instruction manuals for one system to access and use another system’s data or services. 

You might think now that you have never had a touchpoint with APIs, but we bet you have! A very tangible example is the weather app installed on your smartphone. It also works based on APIs to get the real-time weather data such as temperature, humidity and more.  

This also works in context of booking shipments: Instead of manually contacting each carrier, APIs send requests to their systems and get instant responses with pricing, availability, and other details – depending on the carriers’ data available in the comparison portal. 

Benefits of APIs – why even use them? 

As already mentioned, APIs have a lot of benefits compared to “the old” ways of data transmission. Most of these benefits revolve around efficiency and automation. Nonetheless, we’ve listed some more for you below. 

• Automation: Thanks to APIs there’s no need to manually pull the data from platforms or systems. Instead, the API will automatically push the data where it’s needed: into your systems. This leads to reduced manual work and time-savings.
• System integration: API data will seamlessly integrate into your existing tools and systems. Since the raw data is being pushed into them, you can customize the data according to your needs.
• Scalability and growth: Thanks to the aforementioned automation and system integration, API data also enables a sustainable growth and can handle bigger data loads than manual processing. 
• Enhanced collaboration: It can be difficult to combine data from different data sources and use them. With API data you can enhance the tool integration and feed data from different sources into one. 
• More secure data transmission: Data that is transmitted with APIs is encrypted and hence, very secure. To use APIs you also need to be authorized and authenticated. 

How to use APIs in logistics and the shipping industry? 

APIs can be really helpful in daily work in the logistics and shipping industry because they can easily automate time-consuming processes and improve efficiency. Here are some common use cases: 

1. Real-time tracking 

With the help of APIs you can get real-time updates about your container location and shipment. With our Live Position API you can directly feed the data into your own systems and use it as a dot-on-a-map tool, get the latest location data as well es ETAs.   

2. Rates and pricings 

You can also use APIs to pull shipping rates from different carriers and get a customized pricing offer for your needs. The API will instantly fetch rates based on your details and specifications, enabling you to compare prices and choose the most cost-effective option for your shipment.

3. Schedule data 

Shipping and logistics in general require accurate timings and supply chain management. APIs simplify this by automatically pushing schedule data into your systems and thus enabling you to plan the container journey according to real-time data. 

Conclusion – APIs as a modern data provider 

APIs can boost businesses by enabling systems to work together seamlessly. By embracing APIs, you can not only save time, but reduce costs, and offer better services to your own customers.  

Even though APIs are might not yet be a staple in your daily business, using them can increase efficiency and output. Plus, in our API portal you will a detailed documentation for each of our APIs and support in case of troubleshooting.