Transforming Workflows into Reusable Code Libraries: The Power of Capsules

The need to integrate multiple applications and services has become more urgent now than ever. As a result, many organizations have turned to APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) as a way to enable seamless communication between different systems. However, this approach, when applied to internal use cases, can lead to higher costs and limited flexibility.

The Challenges of Legacy API-Led Approaches

When it comes to internal re-use, traditional API-led approaches, while effective, can also come with some unintended downsides. Here are just a few examples:

• Tight coupling: APIs can create tight coupling between applications, making it difficult to evolve or change one application without affecting others. This leads to a cascading level of effort when it comes time to make changes or updates to applications and their dependencies.
  
• Redundant coding efforts: When each application has its own API, developers may find themselves duplicating code and efforts across multiple projects. Even though APIs by design are a form of re-use, accessing them still involves writing code to call those API’s, validate the data, etc.
  
• Unknown reuse opportunities: Without a clear understanding of reuse opportunities, organizations may end up investing in APIs that ultimately don’t see much use. It’s common to end up with an API that exposes hundreds (if not thousands) of functions, but rarely are all of these functions used.
  
• Administrative overhead: APIs must be secured and managed, requiring ongoing overhead to ensure compliance. When the goal is to expose a function for other internal developers to access, the process is more complex than just writing the API and publishing it.
  
• Not API Appropriate: Not everything can or should be exposed as an API – direct database connections, legacy systems like AS400’s, or in house customer applications. Developers then face the daunting task of making reusable functions out of these challenging systems without publishing them as an API.

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Introducing Capsules: A New Way to Approach Internal Re-Use

At Digibee, we believe that there’s a better way. Our innovative approach to internal re-use is based on the concept of “Capsules” — reusable code libraries, essentially functions, that can be accessed from any workflow.

The Benefits of Capsules

By transforming workflows into reusable code libraries, you can:

Prevent tight coupling

• Break the API monolith and evolve individual functions independently without the need for the full API lifecycle
• Remove the risk of cascading issues to downstream dependencies when changes are made 
• Gain the flexibility to publish changes to existing workflows automatically or explicitly

Eliminate redundant coding efforts

• Reduce the need for duplicated code and effort across multiple projects
• Easily drag and drop Capsules as reusable functions, with simple input forms and built-in validation 
• Eliminate the need for code to call them or to verify the data coming back

Avoid unknown reuse opportunities

• Utilize Capsules in any workflow built in Digibee
• Build useful functions that are valuable in other scenarios and publish them as Capsules for any other developer to access
• Turn any Capsule into an event-driven microservice or efficiently create APIs from a group of existing Capsules. Combine the flexibility of Capsules with full API capabilities when required.

Reduce maintenance overhead

• Quickly publish and manage re-usable functions for other developers to utilize in workflows within the platform
• Eliminate the need to manage and distribute API keys
• Only developers can access the Capsules, providing a clear distinction of access

Custom “Connectors”

• Take legacy systems like AS400, Databases, and custom applications and turn them into functions
• Avoid the delay of waiting for integration vendors to support niche applications, quickly build your own connectors the same way you would build an integration flow
• Create a collection of highly reusable functions specific to your organization/team

The Cost-Effective and Flexible Solution

With Capsules, you can:

• Run embedded in workflows: Start fast and evolve quickly without the overhead of traditional APIs.
  
• Compose and decompose full APIs: Convert full APIs into Capsules when justified by ROI.
  
• Event-based execution: Run Capsules event-based, reducing costs and complexity.

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Regaining Agility in Your API-Driven Architecture

By adopting a capsule-based approach to internal re-use, you can regain the agility and flexibility that’s essential for driving innovation and growth. With Digibee, you have both – full APIs and Capsules that offer an API-like reuse without the usual overhead.

While traditional API-led approaches may seem appealing at first glance, they often lead to complexity, high costs, and limited reuse. By embracing the power of Capsules, you can simplify re-use and evolution, reduce costs, and regain agility in your API-driven architecture.

Embrace the Power of Reusability with Digibee

Explore the transformative potential of Digibee’s Capsules. Learn more about our product or, if you prefer, talk to our team to see how you can simplify and accelerate your integration projects.