5 Key Considerations When Choosing a Video Conferencing API

While video conferencing isn’t exactly a brand new technology, it’s no secret that the global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of the technology. “Zoom meetings” are now a common occurrence in our day-to-day lives. 

Many businesses have relied on video conferencing to facilitate work-from-home situations and also to collaborate remotely with remote workers, clients, vendors, and other parties. On the other hand, people also use video conferencing in various day-to-day situations. 

With that being said, many enterprises have now been compelled to get their own video conferencing solution, whether for branding purposes (adding their own logos), or to add custom-tailored features to meet the business’s needs and/or stay compliant with specific regulations. (like HIPAA in telemedicine). 

An accessible and cost-effective solution, in this case, is to integrate a video conferencing API into an existing app. 

What is a Video Conferencing API?

A video conferencing API is an API provided by a video conferencing app/solution so that it can link with another application. 

To really understand how a video conferencing API works, we have to first discuss what is an API?

API, or Application Programming Interface, is a special programming code that acts as a bridge, or an interface between two or more applications. In rarer cases, an API can act as an interface between a software solution and a hardware device.

In layman’s terms, the API teaches the other application so these two applications can connect and communicate with each other. The potential applications are numerous, but most often APIs are used so that an application can “lend” its features to another application or hardware. 

So, in the case of a video conferencing API, we can “lend” video conferencing features and functionalities to an existing or brand new app. 

Why Do You Need a Video Conferencing API?

Why is video conferencing API a big deal?

Because, this means we can first build or get an app without custom branding (logo, brand colors, brand elements) and the features we’d like, then add video conferencing features on top of it. 

Building video conferencing features from scratch is often difficult and expensive, and by integrating a video conferencing API, we can bypass this lengthy and expensive development period. 

By integrating a video conferencing API from services like Iotum, you’ll also get the following benefits:

• Freedom in branding. The ability to add your own logo, brand color scheme, and other elements on an existing app and add video conferencing features on top of it.
• Reliable data security measures to protect your data, another key challenge when building an app from scratch
• Add unique features based on your specific needs and requirements, including for meeting certain regulatory standards that might apply to your business
• Ensure reliable and stable video conferencing sessions at all times

Key Considerations When Choosing a Video Conferencing API

Now that you’ve understood the benefits of integrating a video conferencing API and have decided to get one, which one should you get? 

Choosing a video conferencing API is often a long-term decision. It’s possible to switch to another API later on, but it is often difficult and might require a total overhaul. So, choosing the right API the first time around is more ideal, and here are the 5 key factors to consider when determining which video conferencing API best suit your needs: 

1. Features

This one is pretty self-explanatory, you should get a video conferencing solution that offers the features you need. 

Most video conferencing APIs offer more or less similar basic features, such as adaptive video resolution, messaging, screen sharing, recording, and so on, but typically different vendors might also offer unique features not available anywhere else. 

Iotum, for example, AI-powered personal assistant called Cue™, which can automate transcription of video conferencing sessions from audio to text. 

2. Data Security

Video conferencing involves a constant transmission of information, including potentially sensitive and confidential data. It’s possible you are exposing your business’s and your app users’ sensitive information over the internet.

So, make sure the video conferencing API vendor has implemented data security best practices with sufficient security measures. 

Also, if you are going to use the video conferencing app in some industries, for example as a telehealth application in the medical industry, then you’ll need to make sure the API has met the compliance requirements. Iotum’s live streaming API, for example, has built-in HIPAA compliance and GDPR eligibility so you can stay confident about data security. 

3. Ease of Use

The API offers a lot of features and is very secure, but what if it’s very complex to use with a steep learning curve? 

Choose the right API that offers an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, and also check whether the API vendor provides detailed documentation, explaining all the features and examples of usage. If the API also offers a sandbox environment, then it’s an added bonus. ]

4. Request Limits

A major concern of using API, especially for public-facing API which is common in video conferencing, is that when the API is under a DoS (Denial of Service) or DDoS attack or other threats, then your application will also be affected. 

To tackle this issue, typically the API employs limits on requests, for example by limiting the number of requests per IP address or per API key per day. 

However, for you as a user, this request might not be desirable. Check whether the request limit exists, the details, and if necessary ask the vendor whether you can get an exception. 

5. Programming Compatibility

Most APIs use neutral language so integration won’t be an issue. However, some APIs, especially those that include SDKs may be written in specific programming languages. Generally, if your app and the SDK are using the same language, implementation and integration will be much easier. 

Conclusion

While using a video conferencing API certainly has many benefits, it’s important to choose the right one from a reliable vendor based on your needs. 

By considering the 5 factors above, we can make better-informed decisions in choosing the right video conferencing API for our businesses.