Vordel makes ambitious mobile cloud move with API server

20 Jun 2012

Dublin cloud security company Vordel is making one of its most ambitious leaps forward yet with an entire API server for the enterprise that will allow organisations to deploy APIs to the cloud and mobile device channels.

The new API server goes beyond pure security – it allows businesses to deploy APIs and apps across the enterprise that could drive revenue growth.

At the same time, Vordel’s CTO Mark O’Neill told Siliconrepublic.com organisations have the opportunity to drive new APIs through the mobile cloud to various devices while utilising their existing IT assets.

The world is moving to APIs. As such, Lightweight Representational State Transfer (REST) and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) APIs are the key technologies enabling mobile and cloud applications.

Securing APIs

As a result of this trend, API delivery is a key concern for enterprises. In a recent Vordel survey of organisations deploying APIs, more than 50pc reported using APIs to integrate new business channels, with a further 25pc using APIs for mobile applications.

According to O’Neill, Vordel API Server gives enterprises the flexibility to quickly integrate cloud and mobile channels with their back-end systems without losing control of those services.

“In today’s challenging conditions, it’s especially important for business to be responsive and agile. Mobile and cloud technologies enable businesses to rapidly develop and deliver new customer services, which drives growth,” Vordel CEO Vic Morris explained.

“Based on seventh-generation technology and Vordel’s previous innovations from application gateways to the cloud service broker, the Vordel API Server is critical for any business that wants to successfully leverage mobile and cloud computing. Furthermore, the Vordel API Server provides security and high-performance API delivery, enabling our customers to fully benefit from mobile and cloud APIs.”

According to O’Neill, APIs lend themselves admirably to mobile device security. “If the device is lost or stolen, you don’t want the data on the device. You simply use the API to turn off access to the data on the device.”

He said this fits perfectly with prevailing technology trends, such as bring your own device (BYOD).

Richard Watson, research director with Gartner, explained: “Enterprises are spending heavily on building applications and services, but many are failing to reach business goals. Businesses desire to extend their reach into new channels and to harness mobility and cloud computing trends.

“They need platforms that provide easier access to information and greater agility to respond to new opportunities. Web APIs provide a platform for customers, partners, and employees to build new features and capabilities.”

Usage of APIs

The Vordel API Server delivers APIs of all types, including REST APIs for cloud, mobile and web, SOAP APIs for service-oriented architecture (SOA) and file-based interfaces for B2B integration.

Mike Gionfriddo, CTO at Safeway subsidiary Blackhawk Network, a provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses, said: “Cloud and mobile computing have greatly increased the usage of APIs in the retail and financial services industries.

“High availability and performance are key factors in the commercial success of any APIs exposed to developers, application end users and ultimately the consumers of the service.

“An API Server provides the policy governance capabilities to ensure the APIs are optimised for performance and scalability. Enterprises should look to use API Servers for security enforcement, traffic management and monitoring tasks at wire speed.”

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com