Power through aggregating functionality

Software developers are always striving to provide more innovative ways of engaging users. One of these ways is to created platforms that integrate functionality. In the cloud software developers utilise application programming interface (API) as a way to serve as an interface between different programs and facilitate interaction.

Photo courtesy of renjith krishnan

The definition of an API is the specific method prescribed by a computer operating system or by an application program by which a programmer writing an application program can make requests of the operating system or another application. An API can be contrasted with a graphical user interface or a command interface (both of which are direct user interfaces) as interfaces to an operating system or a program.

With the massive uptake of instant messaging in the enterprise across multiple clients it makes sense to deploy a single enterprise solution that will handle multiple IM clients. JBuddy Messenger by Zion Software is a multi-protocol, cross-platform instant messaging desktop client. JBuddy Messenger supports popular public instant messaging protocols as well as enterprise instant messaging servers and runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris and other Java-enabled desktop environments.

The Jbuddy platform is an excellent example of how the benefits of API can provide innovation.

JBuddy API Stack

Through the use of the JBuddy API users are able to experience instant messaging from the following public services;
# AIM
# ICQ
# Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger)
# Yahoo Instant Messenger and
# Google Talk

It also supports Enterprise solutions in this space with the following platforms;
# IBM Lotus Sametime
# Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS 2007)
# Microsoft Live Communications Server (LCS 2005)
# Apple’s iChat Server
# Jabber / XMPP Servers
# JBuddy Message Server

By crossing multiple public and enterprise platforms JBuddy Messenger succeeds in providing an enhanced experience for the user. It also promotes growth into what is referred to as the mashable ecosystem. A mashup