What is an API and Why Should I Want One? (Part Two)
March 25, 2019

Now that you have learned a little bit about what an API is, here are some ways companies have put APIs to work for them!

While the limit of how the API can be implemented is constrained only by your imagination and developers, there are some general uses many in the Retirement market are drawn. These use cases include:

FILL IN THE WHITE SPACE OF CRMS

One frequent use of an API is to fill in the white space found in many CRMs. Through hard work, many businesses have built impressive lists of leads and clients. However, even the most diligent data collection team could use the help.

  • Fill in basic company information such as business name, address, phone numbers, even their federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
  • Load essential details about a company’s retirement plan, such as what type of plans they have and the number of participants in those plans.

In the future, JDA may even begin providing contacts for the companies such as the CFO, or heads of their Benefits and HR departments.

WEBFORM VERIFICATION

Many businesses, especially those in the small business market, seek a basic level of authentication of a potential client’s identity to qualify them as a lead. A great way to automate this basic level of qualification is through a web form.
The web form requests the client to provide some necessary information about themselves, frequently including the business name and EIN. A web form
connected to the JDA API can then instantaneously verify this data. As the API data includes confidence scores relating to a company’s name, EIN, and address,
you will get a clear picture of the lead.
This automatic first tier qualification will save you time chasing down poor leads and lower the chance for fraudulent clients.

KYC COMPLIANCE

Since the implementation in 2012 of FINRA Rule 2090 and Rule 2111, it’s become extremely important for brokers to obtain and maintain some basic facts of each  Customer they work with. Manually creating these profiles can be a daunting task. This is where the automation allowed by an API can save time and money while lessening the change for error introduced by manual input.
By connecting the JDA API into your KYC process, you gain the ability not only to verify the information you have but collect data you don’t have on your client list. You no longer have to spend the effort chasing down a client’s name, EIN, or address. Our API can be used to provide data automatically. Even periodically re-verify the data to make sure it is still accurate.

FORM CREATION SUPPORT

Often a broker may want to send correspondence to a potential client, perhaps a  proposal. Marketing departments also like to reach out to multiple leads at
the same time using a marketing template populated with text specific to the lead they are reaching out.
The API is a perfect way to bring specific data related to the target of the correspondence into the documentation process.

  • Quote generation: By pinging our API, you can pull in data such as the number of participants and plan types a sponsor currently has. This data will allow you to build tools to provide you with general quotes for a client without having to manually look up a plan or ask the client for details.
  • The Proposal: A proposal or contract template can now include information such as the types of plans a sponsor currently has, these plans’ renewal dates, and general business information such as address and phone number.

 

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What is an API and Why Should I Want One? (Part One)
March 18, 2019

What is an API?

An API (or Automated Program Interface) is a set of tools, protocols, and definitions developers use to allow automated communication between different systems. Chances are you interact with APIs and are not even aware of it. Data requests transfer information between systems. This integration supports a company’s internal or web applications without the need for manual input. It is a seamless way your data team can provide solutions to the departments they support!

APIs are limited only by your team’s ability to integrate the data the API supplies. An API is a way of transferring requested data, therefore, your development team is not limited in how and where to use the information.

What do all these terms mean?

There are many different ways to approach building an API.  Judy Diamond Associates designed their API with a developers ease of use foremost in mind.  Novices to the world of API find it useful to understand the following when discussing APIs with developers.

Authentication

Authentication is typically a key, password, or token included within a Send Request (see below). The token tells the receiving system that the request is valid and a response should be generated.

JSON

Also known as JavaScript Object Notation, is an open-standard file format. It uses text that is easily read and understood by humans to transmit data. It’s a great choice for APIs, especially those that are cloud-based.

RESTful

RESTful (often shortened to REST) APIs refer to APIs or web services which are based in REST technology. REST is a web services development architectural style commonly used by developers. Its design makes it able to handle load changes and, therefore, easily scalable. It’s a great choice for APIs, especially cloud-based ones.

Return Response

A return response generated and sent back to to the system that made the request. Typically the response will include a status code and data.

Send Request

The term describing a system reaching out to an outside database through an API. The term “call” sometimes replaces “request”.

How can I use an API?

For those in the group insurance or retirement markets, there are some amazing use cases for a well-curated API. In fact, any business plan in the B2B or small business market can increase efficiency and decrease error by incorporating an API into their workflow.  This is a big topic, and there are almost infinite ways to use an API. Check back to the next in this series where we will look into specific ways you can make an API work for you!

 

 

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