Automation and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are proving to be essential components of the modern network ecosystem. Pascal Menezes, Chief Technology Officer at MEF and the industry members highlighted the critical role these technologies play during Global NaaS Event by MEF.
"We've been talking about automation, automation, automation. To deliver a network as a service with a cloud experience, automation is a must-have," stated Menezes.
He emphasized that relying on manual processes is no longer viable. "It's about implementing and deploying massive assets not just within the provider network, but across the entire ecosystem—spanning from enterprises to service providers, encompassing the whole supply chain."
MEF's efforts have resulted in significant strides in automation, with 160 providers leveraging their assets to achieve east-west interoperability. This interoperability ensures seamless connectivity and efficiency across different networks.
The Power of APIs
For nearly eight years, MEF has worked with its members to develop and deliver almost 10 production-grade quality standards for APIs. These standards cover a wide range of business and operational life cycles, from complex address lookups to pricing, ordering, and more.
"APIs are the glue that binds the entire ecosystem together," Menezes noted. "We spend a tremendous amount of energy on standardizing APIs to ensure they facilitate seamless integration and functionality across different platforms and services."
Michael Kearns, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Amartus, emphasized the significance of standardized APIs in business operations.
"We are seeing interesting scenarios where investments are being made, and partners or customers are told that we have a standardized API. This is the way we want to do business moving forward. They've extended into additional products, focusing initially on access and Line Products," said Kearns.
Abhi Sur, Senior Director of Product Management at Salesforce, highlighted the growth of the API economy. The Senior Director at Salesforce mentioned a report that revealed that almost all enterprises interviewed, about 99%, use some APIs.
Oliver Spatschek, AVP MTS Network Data Services APIs & Integration at AT&T, talked about the practical benefits of APIs in network maintenance. "The API is very straightforward and prevents issues on the edge. Ideally, we'd get notifications before maintenance, a couple of hours, if not days. If it's scheduled maintenance, I can just raise a change that shows it's under vendor maintenance. This way, we don't waste a lot of time troubleshooting," explained Spatschek. "It's very easy and lightweight, not requiring much development effort," he added.
Enterprise Needs
Enterprises are navigating significant digital transformation journeys, with cybersecurity, cloud migration, and artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront. Cybercrime is projected to become a $10 trillion industry, while spending to combat it ranges between $200 and $400 billion. Cloud migration is expected to approach a trillion dollars in the coming years, and AI continues to revolutionize various industries.
"Enterprises need networks that are adaptable, elastic, and capable of supporting these digital transformation journeys," Menezes explained. Standardized APIs play a crucial role in enabling this adaptability, ensuring that networks can quickly respond to changing demands and technological advancements.
Certification and Standardization
MEF's commitment to certification and standardization is reflected in the growing number of service providers delivering certified technologies to enterprises. Currently, 16 providers and vendors have achieved AAA ratings, marking the first achievement of its kind in the industry. This certification ensures that the technologies meet rigorous standards for quality and interoperability.
Menezes also touched on the importance of data protection, sharing personal experiences with exposed social security data on the dark web. "Protecting personal and enterprise data is paramount, and we are grateful to our partners, members, vendors, and the broader community for their support in this journey."
