What exactly is an API?
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of clearly defined methods of communication among various components. They’re doing everything from driving information-rich marketing campaigns (contests, events, etc.) to streamlining internal workflows for businesses worldwide. Without APIs, the digital experiences consumers use every day wouldn’t be possible.
So, what does this mean for global mobility?
Using APIs mobility teams can build a more collaborative and seamless work environment, connecting different systems to create an integrated network. This network can manage an entire global mobility system with the secure transfer of data.
APIs are protected from end to end with strong encryption to prevent the data from being accessed or breached during the transfer process. As the communication is system to system, it also removes the need for humans to download and exchange data using less secure methods such as email or file sharing sites.
How we use APIs
At Crown, we use APIs to facilitate communications between our internal systems and clients’/vendors’ systems to provide service order updates and transfer data. Benefits include:
- Less emails being sent between all parties involved in the relocation process
- Client notifications triggering real-time service updates
- File initiation automation; clients are no longer required to manually enter data
We were the first world mobility provider in 2017 to integrate into the Equus Ecosystem and establish integration with the Equus APro Corporate Cloud for service updates. The Equus Ecosystem is a powerful platform that connects the entire global mobility value chain, providing clients with a single system for managing their international workforce.
In January, we released a big upgrade to the Equus Ecosystem that saw 118 data fields integrated across 12 service types.
This upgrade has enabled us to provide clients with data pushes of property information, start dates, completion dates and other key service data, to drive and keep their internal global mobility processes moving without emails, phone calls or regular status reports.
Matt Crockett, our Global Senior Project Manager, says: “Not only have our clients seen cost reductions in managing their mobility processes, they’re provided with added peace of mind – knowing everything is on track.”
With the close sharing and timely delivery of information that APIs provide, we can provide a more seamless journey for our clients and their relocating employees alike.
Looking ahead
Global mobility is arguably one of the most complex functions within HR, and indeed, international business. It has a broad scope and must support employees and families with complex needs.
We will continue to make more data points available for client and vendor integration through APIs. Our developer portal is rapidly building, and we are working to enhance the documentation provided on it to ease client integration and onboarding. We have plans to build next generation client-facing technology to connect with new APIs rather than the old, traditional methods of querying data from internal systems.
“This will speed up our technologies and give us more flexibility for the website or app providing the customer experience,” adds Matt.
If you would like more information about enhancing your global mobility program using APIs, please contact Matt Crockett at mcrockett@crownww.com
