API

Also called Application programming interface, Integration

A defined way for two pieces of software to talk to each other without a person copying and pasting.

What it means

An application programming interface is a documented set of instructions one system exposes so another can read or write data automatically.

When a supplier says a product "has an API", they mean it can be connected to other systems programmatically.

Why it matters

Most of the wasted administrative time in a small business is data being retyped from one system into another. Integration removes it, and removes the transcription errors with it.

It also affects lock-in. A system with a good API can be connected to and eventually migrated from; one without is a wall.

What it looks like in practice

Ask specifically: is the API documented and public, is it included in your price tier, are there rate limits, and does it cover the data you actually need?

For simple connections, tools like Zapier or Make can link two systems with no development. For anything high-volume or business-critical, a proper integration is more reliable.

"Has an API" and "has the API you need" are different claims. Check the documentation before buying.

What to watch out for

API access gated behind an enterprise tier that costs several times the plan you were quoted.

Integrations that break silently. Anything automated needs a way of noticing when it stops.

Where to get proper advice

The supplier's public API documentation tells you more than their sales team. If there is none, that is the answer.