A video calls API allows businesses to integrate video call features into an existing application, or to create a brand new application with video call functionality while bypassing the lengthy and difficult app development process.
Here, we will learn how integrating a video call API can benefit your business, as well as some use cases of integrating video call APIs and key considerations when choosing between different video call API solutions.
What is a Video Calls API?
API refers to Application Programming Interface and is essentially a programming code that acts as an interface, or a bridge, between two or more applications so they can properly interact with each other. In practice, we can use APIs to add certain features of application A to application B, or vice versa.
In the case of video call API, we can integrate the API to add video call functionality into an existing app, or into a brand new application. This provides businesses with an accessible, cost-effective way to get a video call application that is fully customizable without needing to develop the feature themselves.
For example, by integrating video call and video conference API from Iotum, you can add the following feature into any API-supporting software or application:
- High-definition video: 1080p HD video resolution for a sharp and clear picture while occupying less bandwidth.
- Clear audio streaming: High-definition audio up to 192 kbps, allowing reliable delivery of clear sounds that are also disruption-free.
- Consistent reach: Iotum’s patented voice call API and video chat technology allows reliable communications even in low bandwidth and less than ideal network scenarios.
- Adaptive resolution: automatically adjust the video resolution according to the specific network conditions to ensure a smooth, stutter-free user experience.
- Versatility: allowing video call and collaboration on any device that is customizable and scalable.
- AI services: AI-powered personal assistant that can automate transcription and use Auto Tags and Smart Search for fast access to valuable information extracted from your video calls.
Why is Video Calls API Necessary?
Say your business decided that you now need a video call application, what are your options?
In general, you have three basic options: building your video call app from scratch, use off-the-shelf solutions like Zoom, Skype, and others, or integrate a video calls API.
Building your video call solution from scratch will technically provide the most freedom and versatility to customize the application according to your needs. You can obviously include your company logo and other branding elements, and you can also add custom features and functionalities not offered by third-party solutions that can cater to your organization’s and/or your customer’s unique needs.
However, it is also typically the most expensive and difficult to execute. Hiring a professional developer can be very expensive, and it can take a long time to develop and test the software before it can be properly deployed.
On the other hand, you can use third-party video call services like Zoom or Skype for a very affordable price (or even, totally free), and you can use them right away. However, you’ll also get very limited freedom when it comes to customization when using these services. For example, there are very limited opportunities to use your logo and brand elements in a Zoom meeting.
By integrating a video call API, on the other hand, you can get the best of both worlds: a fully customizable application while bypassing the lengthy software development process and the hassle of hosting and managing your own application.
Choosing Your Video Calls API
Now that you’ve understood the benefits of a video call API, what kind of video call API is the right fit for your organization?
Here are several important factors to consider when choosing between different video call APIs:
Compatibility:
It’s very important to consider whether the video call API supports the platform(s) of your choice. If your application needs to support different platforms (i.e. iOS, Android, and web browsers), then you’ll need to find a video call API that supports cross-platform functionalities.
Advanced video call APIs, including Iotum, is built on the WebRTC standard, which is a standard that allows users to join the video call in any application or web browsers, so cross-platform functionality shouldn’t be an issue.Bandwidth Optimization:
Video calls and live streaming always require a good and stable internet connection, and it’s very important for the video call API to optimize itself while addressing bandwidth management. Low-level video call API typically doesn’t feature bandwidth management and optimization, and this is where investing in a professional video call API becomes a necessity.User Interface:
The more user-friendly the interface provided by the video call API, the better. There are also video call APIs that let you customize the user interface using a user-friendly CSS and Javascript-based editor, or even a visual editor where you can simply drag and drop the elements.HIPAA Compliance:
For telehealth implementations, it’s important for the video call API to be HIPAA-compliant. Or else, you can’t use your video call API for your healthcare provider organization’s benefits.
With Iotum, for example, you can use the video call API to perform remote diagnostics while allowing online video-based prescriptions, follow-ups, and check-ins, all while ensuring the security of your patient’s data privacy.
Conclusion
Integrating a video calls API allows organizations and enterprises an easier and more affordable way to integrate video call functionalities into an existing application, or to build a video call application that is totally yours while bypassing the lengthy and difficult software development process and the hassle of managing your own application.