August 2023 Summaries

Embedded iPaaS systems aim to make building integrations fast, reduce maintenance, and be accessible enough for anyone in the company to build integrations. However, they often pose challenges and don't live up to their promise, such as requiring detailed knowledge of data models and product internals that only engineers have. Alternatives like building integrations in-house, closed unified APIs, and open unified APIs offer better solutions, including full control over integrations, low maintenance, uniform documentation, and support, as well as the ability to customize and extend integrations. Each alternative has its benefits and drawbacks, and choosing the right one depends on specific use-cases and requirements.

Picking the right unified API is crucial for SaaS products as it enables fast integration, reduces maintenance burden, and helps in building all necessary product integrations. To achieve these goals, one must evaluate three key criteria: the number of APIs and categories supported by the unified API, its depth of coverage, and extensibility. A unified API should cover specific use-cases, enable customization, and allow for independence to make changes without waiting on the provider. The right unified API can accelerate an integrations roadmap and help in delivering value to customers, making it a critical infrastructure decision for SaaS products.