API Integrate with Business Software

API stands for Application Programming Interface. An API helps you connect two software or software modules and automate your stuff.

To understand in simple terms, we will use an example. Assume that you’re a logistics industry and you’re using transport management software to manage your operations.

Now, if you wish to send your customers updates on their parcels, you will need to open WhatsApp or other SMS services to send the SMS.

If you have API integrated into your business software, it will automatically send the SMS to you from the business software.

So, this is why you should integrate the API.

Here are the major APIs and the benefits of integrating them.

(a) Whatsapp & SMS Integration

Imagine reaching your customers directly on their phones!

WhatsApp & SMS API integration allows software to send updates, reminders, and transactional messages, or you can even send marketing messages directly via WhatsApp or SMS.

There is no need to switch between apps or worry about missed calls. This keeps your customers informed about everything they have to do with your business. For example, they can get the updates and they can even come to know if they have to take any action. If you are into logistics, you can send messages about where their parcel has reached via WhatsApp.

The reason it’s one of the most important API integrations is that today everyone is using WhatsApp. If you send the updates via WhatsApp, it will surely help you in making your brand a great impression. Your customers will love it as they can inquire via WhatsApp. Along with WhatsApp, you shouldn’t forget about the traditional SMS. Some people keep their mobile data or wifi off. So, you can use the traditional SMS for the same.

(b) E-Way Bill

Feeling lost in paperwork?

E-way bills are digital documents required for transporting goods worth over ₹50,000 within India. They help track goods and prevent tax evasion. It’s given in Section 68 of the Goods and Services Tax Act read with Rule 138 of the rules.

It is generated from the GST Common Portal for the E-Way bill system by the registered persons or transporters who cause the movement of goods before the commencement of such movement. Now, going to the portal and getting the E-way bill is time-consuming. So, you can generate it online with the use of their API. They have an API that you can integrate within the software.

(c) Mobile SIM Base Tracking

Ever wonder where your deliveries are? Sometimes, the truck is not easily trackable.

Mobile SIM Base Tracking APIs use mobile network data to show the location of your shipment based on the SIM card in the driver’s phone.

This keeps you and your customers informed about delivery progress. However, this has many concerns in terms of legality as well as for the availability. Therefore, it’s NOT to be done. Instead, you can use the GPS API integration which can do all the work the same as this one. We will talk about it in the next section.

(d) GPS Integration

Want real-time location updates on your deliveries?

GPS integration APIs connects the software with GPS trackers on your vehicles. It’s a wonderful API integration as you can track where the truck has reached.

It helps you in providing you and your customers with a clear picture of where your shipments are at any given moment. No more wondering or waiting – GPS APIs put you in control and ensure your deliveries arrive on time.

The software allows you to check who can access the tracking. So, if you don’t want the customers to know the location, you can’t show it to them. Usually, the customers are only notified when the parcel reaches a specific center or hub.

GPS tracking is the most important API integration if you are in the logistics business. It allows you to ensure that you are not only tracking the truck for efficiency and performance but it’s also important for safety. In today’s world, many accidents are happening daily. So, one can track the location to ensure that the truck and the driver are safe.

There could be a place where the truck is stuck for a long time. By tracking the GPS location, you can see the actual time taken by the truck to reach a place. For example, if the truck reaches the destination 30 minutes late, you can ask the unloading workers to arrive there after 30 minutes. In this way, you can not only save more time, but it will also help you do more work.

If you have a complete staff, you can ask them to do different work till the truck reaches there at your destination.

(e) GST API Integration

Tax filing is always a headache for most of the businesses.  GST API integration can simplify your life! These APIs connect your software with the government’s GST portal, automating GST calculations and filing.

Now, you no longer need to do all these things manually. Instead, there is an API that automates your work. It will first connect with your business or management software.

Once you do it, it will fetch tend data from the management software and make the GST calculation automatically without you having to do any of the stuff.

So, it will help you in making the work a lot easier. This reduces errors, saves you valuable time, and ensures you stay compliant with tax regulations. GST API integration is one of the important APIs that you should integrate. Once you integrate it, you can even integrate an API for e-invoice. Let’s learn more about it.

(f) E-Invoice API Integration

E-Invoice API integration allows your management software to issue and receive invoices electronically. The work is simple as you might have understood. It will help you in getting the invoice directly from the software. You no longer need to go to any other software to get the details. Instead, all the things can be done here directly from the management software.

Once you do the complete API integration, it will calculate the products and quantities from your inventory and generate an invoice. It further helps you in keeping track of all your customers.

There are many benefits as everything remains in the cloud. You can search for any invoice with the help of name or invoice number. You no longer need to spend hours searching for an old invoice. Instead, it’s done for you where you can just have a look at the work and you’re good to go. Plus, it eliminates the risk of lost or damaged invoices. If you have a lot of customers and want to keep track of all of them, you will need this. The E-invoice API integration will help you a lot when it comes to invoices and billing.

Summary

Therefore, we can say that everyone who is using business software should use the API integration for various other apps to make the process simpler and easier. You can start with the basic integration of the WhatsApp and SMS API and then you can carry on with other APIs as required. For logistics companies, we highly recommend connecting E-way, WhatsApp, and GPS API with your business app as you will need them.