January 2021 Summaries

The article by Jennifer Craig provides a detailed walkthrough on setting up and executing mutations using Tyk’s Universal Data Graph (UDG) with a practical example involving the Swagger Petstore. It guides users through adding a mutation to the schema, specifically defining a mutation called 'addPet' that takes arguments and returns a Pet object, and then defining the data source by specifying the REST endpoint, URL, method (POST), request body, and appropriate headers. Once these steps are completed, users can execute the mutation in the Playground to create a new pet, demonstrating UDG's capabilities in handling GraphQL mutations. The article encourages users to explore Tyk’s features by signing up for a free trial and provides additional resources for those interested in further understanding UDG's functionalities.

As the fintech industry rapidly grows, adopting agile development practices and technologies like microservices and containerization, an API management layer becomes essential for integrating new technology stacks and differentiating from traditional financial institutions. Open API and Open Data initiatives have facilitated digital transformation and innovation in finance, creating opportunities for Open Banking. While some fintechs invest heavily in building their own API platforms, many opt for enterprise-ready solutions like Tyk, which offers customizable API management, authentication, authorization, and analytics tools to enhance security, reduce overheads, and accelerate the time-to-market for new products. Tyk's platform is favored by both new entrants and established financial organizations like Société Générale, as it provides robust support for managing APIs without extensive in-house development, allowing fintechs to focus on their core business and meet service level agreements efficiently.

Artem Hluvchynskyi, the Lead DevOps Engineer at Tyk, discusses his role and experiences in an interview, highlighting the importance of DevOps in bridging development and operations to create friction-free environments for engineers and users. Based near Kyiv, Ukraine, Artem has been a remote worker for a decade and values autonomy, freedom of expression, and curiosity, which align with Tyk's core principles. Despite the company's rapid growth, Tyk maintains its flat structure and open communication, ensuring that values remain central. Artem emphasizes the challenges of remote work, such as self-discipline and imposter syndrome, and advocates for frequent communication and a supportive environment to foster trust and creativity. When not working, Artem enjoys immersing himself in nature to relax and recharge, appreciating the opportunity to explore remote areas during his downtime.