Bizzy Launches the Bizzy API  11 Jun 2012

Bizzy is delighted to announce the launch of the Bizzy API, or Application Programming Interface.

This makes it possible for applications to be built which make use of Bizzy’s vast store of business data.

The API provides access to almost 50 million companies in 16 countries, plus:

• UK company credit ratings
• UK director search
• 400 million filed documents at the UK Companies House including accounts and annual returns
• Credit reports for instant download
• Manage favorite companies to enable email alerts
• Access previous document and report orders

The launch of the Bizzy API opens up opportunities for developers to build web applications and mobile apps which make use of business data in new and innovative ways.

Full details of the Bizzy API can be found here:

https://secure.bizzy.co.uk/developers/

What is an API?

An API is a programming interface that allows software to communicate with an online data source.

APIs are at the heart of the “Web 2.0” experience of modern web applications.

They enable web developers and programmers to make use of online data services, to build new and exciting applications, enabling technology to be used in dynamic and innovative ways.

APIs have been key to the success of websites such as Twitter, which from an early stage enabled developers to build applications to interact with its microblogging service. Google has been at the forefront of providing APIs to access popular online services, which include Google Maps and Gmail. Today APIs are in use in the vast range of mobile apps which run on smartphones and tablet computers, including the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

What can I do with an API?

Some of the uses of APIs include:

• Web Applications
• Desktop Client Applications
• Mobile Apps
• Mashups

Web Applications

Applications can be built which run in the web browser, but which provide a similar experience to ‘traditional’ desktop applications, so no new software needs to be installed. Web Applications which make use of APIs are able to access huge amounts of data without taking up much space on the user’s PC. An example of this would be Google Maps.

Desktop Client Applications

Desktop Client Applications can be built which access data from the web using APIs. This provides access to dynamic web content, but with the enhanced stability of a desktop application. Examples of these include the numerous desktop clients available for Facebook and Twitter.

Mobile Apps

APIs are used in mobile apps in order to make efficient use of mobile data allowances. Rather than downloading entire web pages, which can contain a lot of data, just the data required by the mobile app is downloaded, which can be a lot less. Mobile apps provide access to vast amounts of data, but run on mobile devices which are light and easy to carry around.

Mashups

More than one data source can be combined, into what is known as a “mashup”. By combining different data sources creatively, new and hitherto unforeseen uses and applications of data can be created.

With the launch of Bizzy’s API, a host of possibilities is opened up for providing applications that deliver business data to websites, desktop clients and mobile devices. Combining the Bizzy API with other data services will allow business data to be used in innovative new ways.

How do I access the Bizzy API?

APIs are usually specified in a way which is independent of the programming language being used. This makes them very flexible in that data services can be built into many different systems.

What you do need to access them, however is an API Key. The unique API key identifies your account and enables orderly and controlled access to the data service.

To access the bizzy Developer API, you will need to sign up for a bizzy PLUS account. Once you have successfully registered and validated your email address, click on the My Account link at the top of the page. In the My Account box in the right sidebar, you will see a link to Developer API. Click on this link to take you to the Developer API page, where you will find your API Access Key. This unique key provides access to your account through the API, so keep it secret!

Once you have obtained your API Access Key, next go to the following page where you will find full details of the Bizzy Developers API:

https://secure.bizzy.co.uk/developers/

Then refer to information specific to your development environment on how to include use of an API in your application.

Posted in bizzy blog on 11 Jun 2012.