November 2022 Summaries

Jennifer Craig discusses the migration from OpenTracing to OpenTelemetry in the context of observability for Tyk API Gateway. The transition is prompted by the deprecation of OpenTracing and the maturation of OpenTelemetry, which offers a new standard for distributed tracing in cloud-native systems. The article emphasizes the importance of distributed tracing for monitoring and optimizing applications by visualizing service dependencies and performance. Craig outlines various migration strategies, including using a bridge, leveraging the OpenTelemetry collector, or starting from scratch, and addresses considerations such as context propagation, detail exposure, and potential pitfalls like exposing PII data. The maturity of OpenTelemetry and its components is evaluated, particularly in the context of the Go SDK used by Tyk, and key questions are posed to guide other organizations considering similar migrations. The article underscores the critical role of observability in software, particularly in cloud-native environments, and highlights the value of OpenTelemetry as an open standard supported by major observability tools.

In a podcast episode from Tyk's series "All About APIs," FinTech veteran Daniil Saiko discusses the implications of API-led product growth for the financial services industry, highlighting the role of APIs in enhancing automation and innovation, especially in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Saiko notes that while API-first companies have surged, larger organizations face governance challenges, such as discoverability and standardization, which are less prominent in smaller firms. The discussion also touches on the impact of open banking standards and regulatory pressures, as well as the evolving expectations around customer experience in financial transactions. Saiko offers practical advice for companies aspiring to API-led growth, emphasizing the importance of having knowledgeable personnel and accessible, functional sandboxes to facilitate development. The episode invites listeners to explore further insights by tuning into the podcast regularly.

In the article, James Hirst discusses the often-overlooked labor and dedication of engineers behind technological advancements, using the historical example of the SS Normandie to highlight the tangible efforts involved in engineering feats. He argues that while past engineering marvels like ships were celebrated along with the skilled labor that created them, modern technology tends to obscure the hard work of engineers behind a facade of simplicity and immaculacy. Hirst advocates for recognizing and celebrating the relentless work and creativity of engineers who ensure the functionality of modern technology, akin to the pride shown in historical engineering projects. He suggests that digital products should acknowledge their creators much like ships did, by metaphorically affixing 'brass plaques' to their innovations as a tribute to the human effort involved.

APIs have become a fundamental component of the healthcare industry, facilitating efficient and secure exchange of information across various entities such as patients, providers, insurers, and pharmaceutical companies. The adoption of electronic healthcare records (EHR) has accelerated significantly since the early 2000s, bolstered by legislative actions like the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act and the 21st Century Cures Act, which mandated the use of a common language (HL7 FHIR) and APIs in new systems. FHIR-based APIs have become crucial for ensuring interoperability, allowing data to be stored in any format while standardizing its exchange. This has enabled a wide range of applications, from creating comprehensive patient views to integrating IoT devices and social media data for enhanced patient monitoring. The rise of healthtech, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, underscores the importance of APIs in delivering virtual and at-home care solutions, while also driving business growth by removing the need for bespoke integration solutions. As healthtech continues to evolve, REST-based APIs are central to modernizing the sector, ensuring patients remain the focus while enabling businesses to adapt and thrive.

API-led product growth is a business strategy emphasizing the development and management of APIs as core products to drive digital transformation and business growth. This approach capitalizes on APIs' ability to monetize data sources, foster product innovation, and enhance community engagement. API products are designed with a focus on developer experience (DX), allowing developers to seamlessly integrate them into their applications, thus improving end-user experiences. Essential components of API-led product growth include setting clear growth objectives, implementing a comprehensive API management platform, and choosing suitable monetization models. Real-world examples of successful API-led strategies include Google Maps, Starling Bank, AccuWeather, and WhatsApp, which have leveraged APIs to expand their service offerings and drive business growth. Tyk, an API lifecycle management platform, offers tools to accelerate organizations on their API-led product growth journeys by providing secure, production-ready API products.

The concept of being API-first involves designing products with APIs as the primary focus rather than as an afterthought, which is explored in depth in the Tyk podcast "All About APIs." James Higginbotham, a consultant specializing in API strategies, discusses the importance of tailoring an API-first strategy based on the business's nature and size, emphasizing that large enterprises should start with strategic goals while startups should focus on market understanding and user personas. He highlights the necessity for an API strategy to clearly define goals, outcomes, and the audience it serves to avoid unnecessary development and ensure the creation of valuable APIs. The podcast also touches on the growing trend of treating APIs as integral components of business operations and the potential of asynchronous APIs to unlock new opportunities, encouraging listeners to engage with the API-first approach through the podcast and Tyk's resource hub.

Healthtech APIs have significantly improved the interoperability of healthcare systems globally, particularly with the adoption of the HL7 FHIR API framework, facilitating better patient-focused decision-making through electronic health records. However, implementing APIs in healthcare presents challenges such as ensuring security, complying with regulatory requirements, and preventing system overload. Full lifecycle API management platforms like Tyk offer solutions by providing security, auditing, access control, and rate-limiting, thereby addressing these challenges effectively. These platforms utilize features like OAuth 2.0 for secure access, comprehensive logging for audit trails, and role-based access control to manage data entitlements. Additionally, they offer reverse gateway capabilities to protect data during third-party integrations and allow flexible rate-limiting to prevent system overload and control cloud costs. By adopting such platforms, healthtech firms can deploy APIs securely and efficiently, laying a foundation for innovation and growth without extensive development efforts.

Tyk's Holiday APIM Extravaganza, scheduled for December 7, 2022, promises a unique and engaging online experience for API management enthusiasts, featuring industry leaders like Kin Lane and Tyk's CEO Martin Buhr. Unlike conventional online events, Tyk's extravaganza aims to be interactive and fast-paced, offering attendees practical advice and insights to excel in 2023. The event will include contributions from experts such as Twilio Developer Evangelist Nathaniel Okenwa and a special customer innovation panel, along with festive elements like bright lights and virtual API fireplaces. Participants can expect to gain valuable lessons from the past year, insights into the future of API management, and innovative strategies employed by Tyk customers. The event is designed to be both educational and entertaining, highlighted by its interactive format and holiday-themed atmosphere.

Tyk's journey towards becoming a B Corp involves aligning their business practices with high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency. Motivated by their mission to connect systems and foster sustainability, Tyk began the rigorous B Corp certification process in 2022, seeking to enhance their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts. Despite already engaging in ESG practices, the B Impact Assessment revealed areas needing improvement, particularly in tracking, reporting, and formalizing policies such as community service involvement. By partnering with Futureproof, a sustainability platform, Tyk aims to transform identified gaps into structured objectives and initiatives. The company's approach emphasizes transparency, the importance of tangible evidence, and employee engagement, with plans to share ongoing insights and tips as they progress in the certification journey.