Seamless Communication: Cloud Fax API Integration Guide
Developers know that stand-alone software solutions aren’t appropriate for every situation. APIs offer an effective alternative in circumstances where integration into an existing application or tech stack is the most sensible solution. This article will serve as a basic guide for how to integrate a cloud fax API for seamless communication.
What Is Cloud Faxing?
To understand cloud fax API integration, people first need a basic idea of what cloud faxing is and how it works. In its most basic form, cloud faxing is a virtual solution that allows individuals or organizations to transmit faxes online instead of via dedicated phone lines. Cloud faxing offers the security of sending traditional faxes without all of the hassles and even allows users to send and receive documents from legacy fax machines.
Why Use an API?
An API, short for application programming interface, is a tool developers can use to integrate functionality into software and apps without having to write all of the code from scratch. APIs make life easier for developers and end-users alike by removing the need to switch back and forth between programs. A well-designed API can be integrated into in-house software as-is or customized by developers using common programming languages, making it impressively easy to use.
Cloud-Based Faxing API Functions
Every API is different. When it comes to cloud faxing, though, developers can expect a certain suite of features that can be integrated into their software. APIs can help with managing:
- Server configuration and authentication
- Sending and receiving faxes
- Users and departments
- Fax metadata, including both cover pages and fax contents
- Querying status for outbound and inbound faxes
- Phonebooks
All of these features will be built into the API, which means developers don’t need to do anything special to access them.
How to Integrate a Cloud Faxing API
Every cloud faxing service provider is a little different, and so are all of their APIs. Most can be integrated into software or apps using just about any common programming language. Whether developers are using Javascript, Python, PHP, Ruby, or cURL, they can expect to get comprehensive instructions from the cloud faxing company on how to integrate the API into different types of business software even if it’s proprietary to the company.
A good cloud faxing API provider will make it easy to integrate. Since these APIs are created by skilled developers, they’re capable of working seamlessly with hundreds of other programs and apps. All it usually takes is signing up for a plan and requesting an access code. From there, in-house developers will get everything they need to integrate cloud faxing functionality into a company’s existing software solutions.
The Importance of Working With a Reliable Service Provider
Developers that want to take full advantage of cloud faxing and integrate APIs into their companies’ existing software solutions with ease need to find reliable service providers. They should make sure that the cloud faxing company offers services that comply with regulations like HIPAA, the GLBA, SOX, and PCI-DSS, and that the API is equally secure, encrypted, and compliant.
A good cloud faxing service provider will also be committed to keeping developer-friendly APIs up-to-date with current standards. These days, that means building an API on RESTful architecture so that it can be integrated seamlessly into other systems and workflows. Working with a company that takes both security and developer-friendly practices seriously will make it easy to integrate a cloud faxing API.
