By integrating a live streaming API, businesses can add live streaming functionalities to existing software, or create a white-label, totally customized live streaming software/application without having to go through the hassle of developing a live streaming app from scratch.
Here, we will discuss how businesses can use live streaming API to their benefits, and why enterprises should take full advantage of professional live streaming APIs like Iotum.
What Is a Live Streaming API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface, and as the name suggests, it is a dedicated programming language that acts as an interface, a bridge between multiple applications, or sometimes the interaction between a software and a hardware tool.
In practice, APIs are used to add an application’s features or functionalities (or the whole functionality) to another software or application. Thus, for example, we can get use application A that features a custom logo, brand colors, and other elements, with functionalities of application B.
In the case of live video streaming APIs, you can add live streaming functionalities to your enterprise’s existing application or software, which leads to saving time and resources for the enterprise.
Why Are Live Streaming APIs Important?
There are basically three different options we can take if you want to have a live streaming application:
1. Building from scratch
If you have the budget and/on manpower, you can build your live streaming application from scratch. Technically this option will provide you with the most versatility and freedom to customize the software, but also the most expensive and difficult to execute.
Also, it can take a significant amount of time to develop and test the live streaming application before it can be deployed, and not to mention there’s the hassle of hosting and managing the service on your own.
2. Using off-the-shelf solutions
There are ready-to-use live-streaming apps, including popular platforms like Twitch or YouTube Live that you can use right away. A lot of them are very affordable or even totally free, and they are very accessible so you can use them almost immediately.
However, you’ll also get the least amount of freedom and versatility in using these platforms. For example, you can’t fully customize the YouTube player with your logo and branding elements, and you can’t also add your own features and functionalities.
3. Live streaming API
By integrating a live streaming API, you can get the best of both worlds: a fully customized live streaming application without the lengthy and difficult software development process.
Not only you can add custom branding elements to the live streaming application and make it totally yours, but you can also add custom-tailored functionalities to better meet your organization’s needs and objectives.
In turn, this can provide several benefits for your organization:
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Pyggibbacking
A live streaming API allows you to integrate live streaming features into your existing service, and you can also combine other APIs to connect different services together in totally unique ways.
In turn, with the support of live streaming API and other APIs, you have the ultimate freedom to design your own solution, and even build something completely new.
You can think of the live streaming API as a building block that you can use to create a fully customizable service that is totally yours.
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Faster and more cost-effective development
Pretty self-explanatory, by integrating a live streaming API you essentially bypass the lengthy and time-consuming process of app development. This can ensure the cost-efficiency of your app and maximize its ROI.
All it takes is writing a simple code to define policies and parameters of the integration between the live streaming API and your existing software, and plug this code into your existing system. Live streaming API allows integration with almost any platform so you can integrate not only your website and mobile apps, but also your cameras, servers, and other hardware tools.
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Streamlining and automation
Integrating live streaming API can allow you to automate repetitive tasks that would otherwise require more time and labor.
You can, for example, pre-schedule live broadcasts or you can schedule batch uploads of your video content to your video hosting server with Iotum live streaming API.
Meaning, even if you don’t have the technical programming knowledge, you can now have access to powerful features and tools with ease.
Industries That Can Benefit from Live Streaming APIs
Telehealth
The healthcare industry is among the most heavily regulated, and not all off-the-shelf solutions can meet the compliance requirements and regulations in the industry. Using a live streaming API can help healthcare providers to provide more efficient and secure services to patients and family members by ensuring the live streaming solution is HIPAA-eligible.
Retail and eCommerce
Live streaming API can allow eCommerce and retail stores to provide a custom-tailored live streaming experience for prospects and customers. For example, enabling real-time and interactive demonstrations of products so your prospects can interact with your sales team in real-time.
Events
With the rise of popularity for online events throughout the COVID-10 pandemic, a live streaming API can help businesses organize online conferences, seminars, and large-scale events into a virtual space with ease. Businesses can add custom functionalities like real-time chats to reach every event participant just as in an offline interaction.
Conclusion
Integrating a live streaming API allows organizations and enterprises an easier and more affordable way to integrate live streaming functionalities into an existing application, or to build a live streaming service that is totally yours while bypassing the lengthy and difficult software development process.
Enterprises can add custom branding and functionalities to their live streaming application that are totally their own, while ensuring the cost-efficiency of the project to maximize ROI.
