Middleware API Integration: Should You Choose Ready-to-Use APIs or Custom Integrations?

As the air cargo industry embraces digital transformation, two primary options for Middleware API integrations have emerged: Ready-to-use APIs and Custom API Integrations.

In this blog we have talked about choosing between Middleware and Point-to-point API integrations and the various challenges to consider. CargoAi’s CargoCONNECT APIs are middleware APIs, and they are distributed via two channels: RapidAPI (explained below), and as a custom integration option. We will focus on comparing these two types of distribution in this blog and help you understand which integration strategy would be best for your requirements.

The options can differ in terms of time and investment depending on the underlying scale and scope of the required integration.

Background Understanding

For CargoCONNECT APIs, regardless of the distribution channel, whether it is published on RapidAPI or available as part of a custom integration, the underlying API structure is the same.

Ready to Use API integration approach

By “Ready to Use” APIs we refer to APIs available on platforms such as RapidAPI that can be purchased or subscribed to directly via the platform and then integrated and used by a customer, without the need for the provider to step-in.

RapidAPI is a public marketplace that connects developers and users with APIs, allowing them to easily find, test, and integrate various APIs with their applications, all from a single platform. Platforms like RapidAPI aggregate various API services from different providers giving businesses easy access to a range of solutions.

Key characteristics:

Small Scale: This is the biggest difference between the two options. Packages available on platforms like RapidAPI typically cater to lower volume/usage business scenarios and may also be a suitable option for larger businesses who want to roll-out an implementation at a smaller scale to start.

Cost-Effective: CargoCONNECT APIs published on RapidAPI operate on a pay-as-you-go or no commitment subscription model, allowing businesses to start with minimal investment.

Flexibility: CargoCONNECT APIs published on RapidAPI operate on a pay-as-you-go or no commitment subscription model, allowing businesses to start with minimal investment.

Testing: Testing of CargoCONNECT APIs starts on RapidAPI regardless of whether a custom integration is pursued or whether a paid plan on RapidAPI is chosen once testing is completed.

CargoCONNECT’s APIs are available as ready-to-use solutions on Rapid API. Click here  to check these out.

Custom Integration approach

A direct or custom integration is a more personalized approach to API implementation, where the API integration and implementation is specifically adapted to fit the unique needs of a business. Unlike ready to use solutions, this method involves deep collaboration between the API provider and the partner to ensure the integration aligns with the company’s specific processes and long-term goals.

With CargoAi’s custom integrations, the development teams of CargoAi and the integration partner work closely together to integrate the APIs into the partners’ systems. This approach can result in tailored solutions that closely align with their specific strategic business requirements.

Key characteristics:

Large Scale: Custom integrations are built to accommodate consistently large volumes of operations. Oftentimes, businesses that opt for custom integrations come with detailed implementation plans and specific business requirements for global operations.

Long term strategy: For those looking at API integrations with a trusted and stable tech partner as part of their long-term growth and strategic digitalization roadmap, custom integrations may be the right path. These integrations also come with closer collaboration between teams and may also involve a consultative approach.

Customized solutions: Custom integration solutions allow for company specific developments and customizations. The API can be adapted to fit system or business requirements, as well as smoothly integrate with existing workflows. Partners are also invited to provide feedback on product improvements or pilot test new features which drive mutually beneficial product roadmap planning.

Comparing Ready to Use APIs and Custom Integrations

Factors to Consider When Choosing

When deciding between a ready to use API and a custom integration approach, one should consider the following factors:

• Specific business requirements: Determine if custom solutions are required.
• Long-term growth plans: Consider how your choice will impact your ability to scale and adapt in the future. For a long-term business strategy involving differing underlying business cases, it makes sense to choose a custom integration plan.

Use Cases & Examples

From RapidAPI to Custom integration:

One of CargoAi’s CargoCONNECT clients, an AI-powered digital startup offering cloud systems to freight forwarders, was looking for an API solution that could help them instantly retrieve airline quotes from multiple carriers. Their requirements were standard and at a low volume to begin with, and speed-to-market was their number one requirement when evaluating available solutions.

After selecting and testing our APIs on RapidAPI, within weeks, the startup was able to implement and give their clients access to their new capabilities without any hurdles. This gave them time to quickly grow the demand with their initial customer base.

Their CEO shared with us the following feedback: “We came to this integration expecting to have to jump through hoops to connect the two platforms. Having a lot of experience with integrating with various vendors in the supply chain industry, we know a simple and easy integration is not something you come across very often, especially from a service that offers such a robust solution. The integration with CargoAi was swift and efficient and enabled us to provide extra value to our customers.”

As the demand grew, the company decided to enter into a custom integration agreement with us with no additional customization requirements. The switch was smooth and easy because the underlying APIs are the same.

Custom integration use case:

One of CargoCONNECT’s partners, Magaya, a large Transport Management System (TMS) provider to 26,000 clients across the world, was looking for a robust end-to-end API solution. Their requirements were specific to their system, with uptime & downtime SLAs and coverage, and solution robustness was key to their selection criteria.

After selecting our services and putting toa dedicated team together, our integration went live after a few months of implementation rounds as per their requirements and testing program, and the systems & partnership have been now live since end of 2022.

With both Rates, Book and Tracking APIs fully implemented, Magaya is now able to fully serve their current and new customers with a full end to end solutions, allowing all their clients access to the larges eBooking and Tracking portfolio in the industry.

We have grown our integration together through lots of mutual feedback. Watch out for our webinar at the end of this masterclass where we will discuss this in greater detail.

Conclusion

Choosing between a ready-to-use integration and custom integration approach depends on the corporate specific needs, resources, volumes and long-term digital strategy. RapidAPI integrations offer flexibility, ideal for testing or catering to lower volume requirements. On the other hand, custom integrations provide customization and opportunities for long-term partnerships, suited for large-scale operations or specific business needs.

Stay tuned for our next blog addressing a key challenge in Airfreight APIs: Latency.

For guidance on selecting the right API integration strategy for your unique requirements, do not hesitate to contact us.

For more information about CargoCONNECT, CargoAi’s API suite, download our brochure or contact our Support team.