Imagine you’re at a restaurant. You (the customer) look at the menu, place your order with a waiter, and then—like magic—your food arrives from the kitchen. You don’t need to know how the chef made it, or what ingredients were used. You just get what you asked for.
That waiter? That’s what an API is in the world of software.
So, what is an API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface. It’s a way for different software systems to talk to each other. At Shoothill, we use APIs to connect to live data sources—like river levels, rainfall, or weather feeds—and bring that information into our platforms like FloodAlerts and GaugeMap. Or even in some of our recent app projects, for example, take the gaming app Supporta. Built around sports fixtures, these come into the app for
Real-world example: FloodAlerts
When you open FloodAlerts and see a warning for your area, that alert didn’t just appear out of thin air. Behind the scenes:
- Shoothill’s system calls an API from the Environment Agency.
- That API sends back real-time flood data.
- Our platform processes it and visualises it on the map—all in seconds.
Without APIs, this kind of live, automated service wouldn’t be possible.
Why APIs matter to you
- Speed: APIs allow us to deliver real-time updates instantly.
- Accuracy: Data comes directly from trusted sources—no manual input.
- Scalability: We can connect to dozens of data feeds at once, from across the UK or even globally.
APIs are the unsung heroes of the tech world—quietly powering the seamless experiences we’ve come to expect. From checking the weather on your phone to logging in with Google, APIs are working behind the scenes to make it all happen.
Shoothill’s API expertise
We don’t just use APIs—we build them too. Whether it’s for a government agency, a utility company, or a private client, we create custom APIs that help organisations share and visualise their data securely and efficiently.
Want to learn more?
If your organisation has valuable data but isn’t sure how to share or visualise it, we can help. Get in touch to explore how a custom API could unlock new possibilities.
☎️ 01743 636300
🌐 To get a taste of our work visit us at www.shoothill.com