What is an API?

API is an acronym for Application Programming Interface. What does it actually do and how can it streamline our day-to-day work?

Just as we use our voices, sign language, or written words to communicate with others, an Application Programming Interface, or API, is software code that sends information back and forth between a website or app and a user. It helps independent software applications communicate and exchange data with each other. Users don’t see the transfer of data because it happens automatically without having to be a developer, deal with source code, or even understand how it works.

If you made a money transfer from one institution to another using Paypal or Venmo, requested an Uber driver, or had dinner delivered to your home by Doordash, you can thank a developer who created an API to make that as easy as click, send, and receive.

What are APIs used for?

• Sharing data with a third party. You use an API when you order dinner from your favorite restaurant through the UberEats app and pay with a credit card on your mobile device. There are multiple actions happening in the background to make this easy for you.

• Integrating data from different sources. Many of your everyday tasks use an API when you integrate data from two different sources. For example, if you use Outlook email to access customer accounts in Salesforce and send an email, the message will automatically show up in the customer’s account. That’s done through an API.

• Embedding content from a third party. Publishing a video to YouTube and then embedding it on your website uses an API as well.

How do APIs make life as a small business owner easier?

Business owners want to reduce costs, use their existing resources efficiently, and increase productivity, connectivity, and collaboration. Earth Class Mail can help you do all of this by giving you hands-free mail management and automatic digitization of your mail.

But did you know that there is much more you can do with the help of integrations to help you become more efficient and productive?

To enable data sharing between popular business applications, Earth Class Mail provides seamless connectivity with Bill.com, Quickbooks, Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Zapier. The ability to share, embed, and customize integrations allows individuals and organizations to automate and enhance data flow directly from the Earth Class Mail web application. Imagine having your documents automatically scanned within the Earth Class Mail application and then automatically sent to your accounting software, such as Quickbooks or Bill.com

How do integrations work?

We’ve recently upgraded the way customers set up integrations to make it easier. Our system gives you a dedicated view for each integration and easy-to-follow connection setup instructions. To start using the built-in integrations, navigate to to Settings (gear icon) within the Earth Class Mail app and choose the Integrations tab.

Quickly identify integration status

Easily identify which integrations are active by looking for the green “Connected” status button in the top-right corner of each integration tile.

Add new integrations

Select the “Connect” link inside the tile to add a new integration. The next screen provides a Connection Setup Guide and a “Connect Account” link. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your integration.

Manage current integrations

From each individual integrations tile, you can see all current connections and account details. From this view, you can disconnect or rename an integration, and review the Connection Setup Guide.

Tip: For a more automated solution, we recommend creating an account automation to send your documents directly to an integration.

Automate document delivery to an integration

To send documents directly to your integrated software, follow these simple steps:

Settings > Account Automation > Choose: Edit settings under “When your mail contents are scanned” > Select where you want content uploaded > Add any exclusions (if applicable) and click Save.

At Earth Class Mail, we are constantly looking for new ways to help our customers be successful in their businesses by releasing new innovative products and services. Interested in learning more about virtual mailboxes? See our plans and pricing here.