Why do we need it?
APIs (Application Programming Interface) are “a set of routines, protocols and tools for building software applications” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface), and take many different forms based on programming language specifics, protocols, purpose, etc. in this context we are referring to RESTful and SOAP based APIs, also known as Web Services or Web APIs.
Web Services represent a fundamental way to share functionality and data across applications over the ubiquitous HTTP. An API Management Platform designed for Web Services provides a means for distributed organizations to publish, manage and consume the APIs they develop themselves or the APIs provided by applications they have purchased or leased.
A robust API Management Platform includes:
A portal for API discovery, sampling, documentation, and self-service style access requests.
Management of access to APIs through delegated administration.
The tools to Manage and Proxy access to the organizations APIs, whether developed, purchased or leased. APIs may be developed and hosted anywhere, so long as they are accessible to the API Management Platform’s proxy.
Access Control and Security, through keys, permissions, and re-usable policies.
API usage monitoring and reports
Does anyone else on campus provide this service now?
To the best of our knowledge, no one is providing an API management platform as a service to the rest of campus.