We have interviewed our CTO, Ole Iversen. Ole is responsible for our development work. LCA.no supplies cloud-based software and our technology becomes part of the customers’ application portfolios. In the past, among other things, the EPD generator functioned as a stand-alone system, but there is an increasing need for interconnection with other systems. These systems are understandably very different, but LCA.no has developed a standard solution that is easy to use.
You can read more about EPD here.
What is an API?
An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of defined rules that enable different applications/systems to communicate with each other and exchange data. An analogy is to look at the API as a socket and a plug. A socket in the wall ensures you have access to a service such as electricity. The plug knows that it (in Norway) must have two pins, and the device that is connected to it must withstand 230 V alternating current. These are the rules. This is also how LCA.no’s API works. It is a set of standardized rules that make it easy to exchange information between our system and the customers’ various systems.
What benefits does API integration have for our customers?
One advantage is automation and efficiency: Our API enables the automation of data collection and transfer. This saves time for users by not having to manually enter data, which increases the efficiency of the workflow.
With the API, data can be transferred directly from source systems to the EPD generator, reducing the risk of errors that can occur with manual data entry. This ensures higher data integrity and accuracy.
The API gives customers the flexibility to integrate the EPD generator with other systems and applications they use. This makes it easier to scale and adapt solutions to your specific needs.
Our API allows for real-time updates, meaning customers always have access to the latest data. This is particularly important in environmental reporting where accuracy and timeliness are essential.
LCA.no’s API enables customized reports and analysis by allowing users to integrate and process data in ways that are most relevant to their business.
With API integrations, different companies and external partners can more easily share and collaborate on environmental data, which improves communication and collaboration internally and with external actors.
Automation and improved efficiency can lead to significant cost savings over time, as manual effort and time spent on data management is reduced.
With API integrations, different companies and external partners can more easily share and collaborate on environmental data, which improves communication and collaboration internally and with external actors.
Automation and improved efficiency can lead to significant cost savings over time, as manual effort and time spent on data management is reduced.
How can customers use our API?
We are happy to send customers a step-by-step guide that they can use. The easiest thing is to contact an adviser or salesperson with us, and they will help you get started. We have documented the API so that it is easy to connect to the system. One tip is to forward the documentation to internal or external developers who can try out the API in a test environment that does not affect EPDs or LCA projects others in the organization are working on.
Developers will be able to use the documentation to connect to the test environment from other systems.
If everything works fine after testing, the integration can easily be transferred to the production environment to work with the same data used in LCA.tools.
Security protocols for the API are critical to protecting data and systems against unauthorized access and cyber attacks. This applies, among other things, to authentication and authorization, security during data transport, restriction of access to the API, validations, error handling and logging.
Do you have questions for us? Feel free to send us an e-mail at support@lca.no.