We’re thrilled to announce that our COO, David O’Neill, recently appeared on the API Resilience Podcast, hosted by Christof van der Helm. In this insightful episode, David delved into the evolving role of APIs in modern businesses, sharing his thoughts on everything from the misconceptions surrounding API monetization to the challenges posed by legacy systems. Christof’s podcast is known for examining the impact APIs have on organizations and industries, and David’s experience made for a truly enlightening discussion.
👉 Listen to the full episode here and explore David’s take on where the API industry is headed!
One of the key points David highlighted was the misconception many companies have about APIs as products. He noted that APIs should be viewed as infrastructure—critical to delivering value to customers—but not the value itself. As David put it, “APIs are just a way of delivering your business, they are not the business itself.” This perspective shifts the focus from directly monetizing APIs to using them as essential tools that support and enhance a company’s core offerings.
David also spoke about the often-overlooked challenge of integrating APIs into organizations with deeply rooted legacy systems. For many companies, particularly in industries like finance and healthcare, legacy systems remain the backbone of operations. While many aspire to have a fully API-driven infrastructure, the reality is that, as David noted, “systems that were thrown together a long time ago” are still functioning at the heart of many businesses. These systems, though outdated, continue to play a critical role, and integrating them with newer API frameworks remains a complex and costly endeavor.
Another key theme from the discussion was the importance of monitoring APIs in production environments. David stressed that without proper real-time monitoring, businesses are flying blind, risking critical failures that could lead to costly downtime. As he aptly put it, “If you’re not monitoring in production, you’re not monitoring at all.” This point serves as a reminder that API monitoring is not just a technical necessity, but a business imperative—especially for organizations that rely on seamless digital experiences for their customers.
These are just a few highlights from the conversation. David also touched on the growing importance of API governance and conformance, especially in highly regulated industries, and how APIContext is helping businesses navigate these challenges with confidence.
Listen to the full episode right now: