PrintNow API Development
The PrintNow API is available for Enterprise clients to consume. Changes are requested occasionally that require the PrintNow core team to extend the API. This service is in place to help our customers with any automation need.
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What is an application programming interface (API)?
An API or application programming interface allows businesses to expose their applications’ data and functionality to external third-party developers & business partners within their companies. API’s enable services and products to communicate and leverage each other’s data and functionality via a documented interface. Developers use the interface to communicate with other products and services. Most widespread web applications today would not be achievable without APIs.
How an API works
An API is a collection of specified rules that define how computers or applications communicate with one another. APIs exist between an application and the web server, serving as a layer that processes data transfer between systems.
Here’s how an API works:
- A client app creates an API call to retrieve information—also understood as a request. The request is generated from the application to the web server via the API’s Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and contains a request verb, headers, and occasionally, a request body.
- After receiving a valid request, the API calls the external program or web server.
- The server sends a response to the API with the requested information.
- The API transfers the data to the initial requesting application.
The data transfer will vary depending on the web service. Both the requests and responses all occur via an API. User interfaces are designed for use by humans, and APIs are designed for a computer or application.
APIs deliver security by design because their position as middleman enables the interaction of functions between two solutions—the API endpoint decouples the consuming application from the methods providing the service. API calls typically contain authorization credentials to lower the threat of cyber attacks on the server, and an API gateway can restrict access to limit security threats. Also, HTTP headers, cookies, or query string parameters deliver more protection layers to the data during the interaction.
Why we need APIs
You can utilize an application programming interface to facilitate the process, whether using current tools or designing renewed ones. Some of the primary benefits of APIs include the following:
- Improved collaboration: APIs allow integration so these platforms and apps can seamlessly communicate with one another. Via this integration, companies can automate workflows and enhance workplace collaboration. Without APIs, numerous enterprises would lack connectivity and suffer from informational silos that compromise productivity and performance.
- Easier innovation: APIs offer flexibility, permitting companies to connect with new business partners, deliver new services to their current market, and, ultimately, access new markets that can yield significant returns while driving digital transformation.
- Added protection: As mentioned above, APIs form an additional layer of security between the data and the server. Developers improve API security by utilizing tokens, signatures, and encryption, developing API gateways to control and authenticate traffic, and implementing efficient API management.
Typical API examples
APIs permit companies to grant access to their resources while preserving security and control. This has evolved to be a valuable part of everyday business. Here are some typical examples of implementations you may encounter using PrintNow:
- Order Processing: PrintNow has an order dashboard for managing all incoming orders, and print-ready PDF files are downloaded in the Unified Admin or via FTP. Using PrintNow’s API you can control all order details and assets for use in a third-party integration.
- Print Editor integration: Utilizing PrintNow’s Punch In/Out API, developers can integrate PrintNow’s Print Editor into any ecommece shopping cart with an API. WordPress, Shopify, Wix, BigCommerce, & Magento are all examples of third-party platforms that could work with PrintNow with the right amount of effort.
- Third-party payment processing: For example, the well-known “Pay with PayPal” function you see on ecommerce websites works through an API. PrintNow supports PayPal natively; however, using an API, others could be added to PrintNow.
- Universal logins: A popular API example is a function that enables people to log in to websites by using their Google, Facebook, or Microsoft login profile details. This feature permits any website to utilize an API from one of the more general services to quickly authenticate the user, saving them the hassle of setting up a new profile for every website service or new account. PrintNow supports the providers mentioned above and allows you to extend your custom providers using the OAuth2 protocol and the PrintNow Enterprise API.
Key Details
Price: TBD
Setting: Remote
Duration: TBD
API Development
Frequently asked questions, answered.
What are your development hourly rates?
Hourly rates range from $125 to $250 per hour, depending on the experience level of the developer/consultant and if it’s standard front-end development or requires back-end development that affects the core PrintNow code base.
Do you only charge by the hour, or will you provide us with a per-project flat rate?
The short answer is we offer both, but generally, customers are more comfortable with a per-project flat rate. Overall, the pricing structure you choose depends greatly on many variables and comes down to what makes the most sense for you.
Charging per hour
Charging an hourly rate is a better option in some scenarios. If the scope of work isn’t clear from the outset, we may recommend this approach. Or we may offer a service to properly define project details to help it move to a per-project flat-rate option. Per-hour pricing also works well for maintenance updates or long-term ongoing projects.
Charging a per-project flat rate
Charging a flat rate makes the most sense when the client brief is clear and structured, and we can predict how much work the project will entail. Some clients are more hesitant to agree to a flat rate. Presenting one flat rate before any work is done can make some clients nervous or cause sticker shock, prompting them to go elsewhere.
I'm interested in development services. How do I get started?
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