Beyond manual entry
An integration sends a request and receives a structured result. Documentation defines operations and formats; Stripe, for example, documents an HTTP API with JSON responses.
FinFly Explains / IT
What the API economy is
An API lets software use another system’s capabilities under defined rules. The API economy concerns business built around these integrations: the accessible function creates value, not the request URL itself.
Access is not a database sale
An API can expose an action without exposing the whole database. Establish what partners can do and which permissions they need.
The business decision
FinFly recommends assessing the function separately from pricing, limits, support and country availability. Public documentation does not imply free access or eligibility for every business.
Testing an integration
Plan for failures, repeated requests and version changes before launch. Assign an owner rather than treating integration as a one-off setup.
Questions
Short answers
Does every API generate revenue?
No. An API is an interaction mechanism; revenue depends on the product and its terms.
Method
Primary sources
The explainer is checked against these institutional and industry sources. Links open the original material.