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API integration and development services

API integration connects applications through their application programming interfaces, so data and actions pass between them automatically instead of by hand. Arke Technologies (Pty) Ltd in Johannesburg designs, builds, secures and supports API integrations and custom APIs for organisations across South Africa, and the code, documentation and credentials stay yours.

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What is API integration?

An API (application programming interface) is the published way one piece of software lets another read or change its data. API integration is the connection built on top: code, or an integration platform, that calls one system's API, transforms the data and passes it to another, on a schedule or the moment something changes. That is the API integration meaning a buyer needs: every export, email and re-type becomes automatic and logged.

Is an API an integration? Not on its own. The API is the door; the integration is the route through it, with rules for mapping fields, handling errors and keeping records in step. A complete API integration definition includes what happens when something fails.

What is API development? It is designing and building an API of your own, so that customers, suppliers, mobile apps or other departments can use your data safely. Most projects need both, which is why we offer API integration and development as one service within systems integration.

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Examples of API integration

  • Sales to finance. A deal won in HubSpot, Salesforce or Zoho CRM creates the customer and invoice in Sage or Xero, and payment status flows back.
  • Payments. A checkout calls a payment gateway API (PayFast, Yoco, Stripe, Paystack or Peach Payments), and each confirmation is reconciled into the ledger. Our own Server Hub platform runs on PayFast and Yoco integrations we built. Server Hub commerce platform
  • Websites. API integration on a website, WordPress included, so a form creates a CRM lead and a calendar booking without a plugin nobody maintains.
  • Mobile apps. API integration in Android and iOS apps that sync orders with a back end when signal returns.
  • Documents. A SharePoint integration API (Microsoft Graph) that files contracts and invoices with the right permissions. SharePoint and document management
  • AI. Google AI APIs (Gemini through Vertex AI) and Anthropic's Claude, called from your systems to classify, summarise or answer from your documents. AI consulting and implementation
  • Messaging and government. WhatsApp Business API integration and SARS and CIPC integrations.
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The 7 most common types of API

TypeWhat it isTypical use
RESTResource-based HTTP API, usually exchanging JSONMost cloud platforms, including the Salesforce REST API, HubSpot, Xero and Stripe
GraphQLOne endpoint where the caller asks for exactly the fields it needsModern web and mobile apps
WebhooksThe other system calls you when an event happensPayment confirmations, new messages, status changes
Event streams and queuesMessages published to a broker and consumed independentlyHigh volumes; systems that must not depend on each other being online
SOAP and XMLOlder, contract-heavy web servicesLegacy ERP and government systems
File-based (SFTP, CSV)Scheduled, encrypted file exchangeBanks and older systems with no API
Database-levelRead-only links to a database or reporting viewLegacy systems and reporting

APIs are also grouped by audience: public (open) APIs anyone may register for, partner APIs shared with approved organisations, and private APIs used inside one organisation. An API for third-party integration is usually a public or partner API.

The platforms we connect

We build against these systems:

  • Accounting and ERP

    The Sage developer APIs for Sage Business Cloud Accounting (formerly Sage One) and Sage's other online APIs; Sage 50 and Sage 200; Pastel Partner and Evolution; the Xero accounting API; QuickBooks; SAP Business One; Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central; Odoo; NetSuite. Sage 50 integration API options, and the Sage 300 ERP API, depend on the edition and version you run, so we confirm them in discovery.

    ERP and accounting integration

  • CRM and service

    The Salesforce API (including REST API integration in Salesforce), the HubSpot API, the Zoho CRM API and its API documentation, and Zoho Desk APIs.

    CRM implementation

  • Microsoft 365 and Google

    Microsoft Graph for SharePoint, Teams and Outlook; Google Workspace APIs; Google AI APIs through Vertex AI.

Buyers also research the LinkedIn API, the Mailchimp API, the Calendly API, the ClickUp API, monday.com APIs, the Pipedrive API, the GoHighLevel API, the ServiceNow REST API, the Workday API and the Amadeus travel APIs. Each publishes developer documentation, and some restrict access to approved developers or higher subscription tiers (LinkedIn's marketing APIs are an example). We treat any documented API the same way: read the documentation, test access in discovery, then confirm feasibility, limits and cost before we quote.

Zapier, Power Automate or a custom integration?

API integration software (integration platforms, or iPaaS) is often the right answer. Here is how we choose.

OptionSuitsCostsWatch for
ZapierQuick links between cloud tools, such as a Zapier Xero integration that raises invoices from a form, or AI automation with Zapier for simple triageSubscription priced by task volumeData processed outside South Africa (POPIA section 72); logic grows hard to govern; flows tied to one person's account
Microsoft Power AutomateOrganisations on Microsoft 365, with flows between SharePoint, Outlook, Teams and DynamicsStandard connectors come with many Microsoft 365 plans; premium and custom connectors need Power Automate PremiumPower Automate licensing decides the cost; flows owned by individuals break when they leave
Custom API integrationHigh volumes, complex rules, systems without connectors, strict audit needsA project build, then monitoring and support under an SLANeeds engineering discipline and documentation

Zapier API integration and Power Automate are good tools in the right place, and we will say when a flow belongs in one of them rather than in custom code. Before a flow is built, we tell you whether you must license its users on Power Automate Premium, and we move business-critical flows out of personal accounts into ones your organisation owns. Software licensing and licence management

API development: building an API of your own

Can you build your own API? Yes, and it pays off when you share data with customers or suppliers, give a mobile app its back end, replace file exchanges or put a modern interface in front of a legacy system (see legacy system modernisation). The code is the smaller part: API design and development also covers security, versioning, documentation and monitoring.

We build APIs in TypeScript on Node.js and in Python, and integrate with APIs written in Java, PHP, C# or any other language. Our tools for API development: a design-first OpenAPI specification, automated tests in the build pipeline, an API gateway for keys, authentication and rate limits, and monitoring on every endpoint. Security follows the OWASP API Security Top 10. An API that feeds reporting becomes a data integration API for our data, analytics and business intelligence team.

A finance analyst checks a printed report against a dashboard of charts on screen.

How we deliver an API integration

  1. Discovery

    We map the systems, the flows and the owner of each record, then read each API's documentation and test access with real credentials.

  2. Design

    Data contracts, field mappings, error handling, security and monitoring go into a design document you keep.

  3. Build

    Connectors with retries, idempotent writes (a retried call never creates a duplicate), logging and alerts, in your cloud account.

  4. Test

    End-to-end tests against sandboxes, including failure cases: a system offline, a changed field, a duplicate message.

  5. Go live

    A planned cutover with a rollback, then close watch during the first business cycle.

  6. Run and support

    Monitoring, fixes and changes to connected APIs under an SLA, with a monthly service review.

What API integration costs

The cost of API integration depends on the number of systems and flows, the quality of each API and its documentation, the complexity of the field mapping, data volumes, real-time or batch timing, and the audit evidence you need. Third-party fees add to it: some platforms include API access only on higher tiers, AI models are priced by usage, and payment gateways charge per transaction.

We quote a fixed scope after discovery; monitoring and support then run under an SLA billed monthly. For context, published hourly rates for IT project work in South Africa run from about R550 to R750 ex VAT (matnet.co.za, September 2026).

Last reviewed: September 2026.

A finance analyst checks a printed report against a dashboard of charts on screen.

Governance, compliance, procurement and continuity

  • Governance and reporting. A named lead, change control for every interface change, a written escalation path, and an SLA with a monthly service review and report on volumes, failures, fixes and upcoming vendor API changes.
  • Compliance. POPIA by design, with a section 21 operator agreement where we process personal information for you and every cross-border flow documented for section 72. ISO/IEC 27001-aligned controls, secrets kept in a vault, and audit logs that support King IV Principle 12 reporting and PFMA or MFMA audit.
  • Procurement. Level 1 B-BBEE contributor (sworn affidavit available on request), giving buyers 135% procurement recognition. Company documents, CSD supplier number and tax compliance status are available on request, and we complete SBD forms when a bid requires them. Buy by proposal, SLA and purchase order, or by tender; see company facts.
  • Continuity. Integrations run in cloud accounts registered to your organisation, with API keys issued to you, not to our staff. You own your data, credentials and documentation, and the handover includes the design, runbooks and source code, so your developers or another provider can take over at exit. Moving records between systems once? See data migration.

Frequently asked questions

What is API integration? Show answer

API integration is the connection of two or more applications through their application programming interfaces, so data and actions move between them automatically. A typical example is a CRM that creates invoices in an accounting system. A sound integration also maps fields, handles errors, logs every transfer and alerts someone when a connected system changes or fails.

What are examples of API integrations? Show answer

Common API integrations include a CRM creating customers and invoices in Sage or Xero, an online checkout confirming payments through PayFast or Yoco, a website form creating leads in a CRM, a mobile app syncing orders with head office, and documents filed in SharePoint through Microsoft Graph. Each removes a manual step and leaves an audit trail.

What are the 7 most common types of APIs? Show answer

The seven types organisations meet most are REST, GraphQL, webhooks, event streams and queues, SOAP and XML web services, file-based exchange over SFTP, and database-level links. By audience, APIs are also public, partner or private. REST is the most common today; SOAP, files and database links usually mean an older system is involved.

How much does API integration cost? Show answer

API integration cost depends on the number of systems and flows, the quality of each API, the complexity of the data mapping, volumes and compliance needs, and third-party fees can apply. We quote a fixed scope after discovery. For context, published South African IT project rates run from about R550 to R750 an hour ex VAT (matnet.co.za, September 2026).

Can I get an API for free? Show answer

Yes, many APIs are free to use within limits: most cloud platforms include API access with a subscription and cap the number of calls. Others charge by usage, restrict access to approved developers or reserve it for higher plans. The integration itself still needs building, hosting and support, which is where most of the real cost sits.

Can I build my own API? Show answer

Yes, you can build your own API if you have developers, and many organisations do so to share data with customers or suppliers or to give a mobile app its back end. Plan for authentication, rate limits, versioning, documentation and monitoring as well as code. We build APIs to the OWASP API Security Top 10 and hand over everything needed to run them.

What are the top API management tools? Show answer

Shortlists usually include Azure API Management, Google Cloud's Apigee and Amazon API Gateway, along with open-source gateways such as Kong. They handle keys, authentication, rate limits, versioning and analytics for the APIs you publish. The best choice is usually the one in the cloud you already run, so identity, logging and billing sit in one place.

Which language is used for API development? Show answer

Most languages can be used for API development: Python, Java, PHP, C#, and JavaScript or TypeScript on Node.js are the most common. We build in TypeScript on Node.js and in Python, and integrate with APIs written in any language, because a well-documented contract matters more to the systems calling an API than the language behind it.

Connect the systems you already run

Tell us which systems need to share data and what should happen when they do. We will test the APIs, map the flows and quote a fixed scope.

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