10:58 am So excited! The ExactTarget API enables the extension of our software and some incredible functionality. Scott McCorkle is going to be speaking, along with Michael Ciancio-Bunch. They have some incredible insight. I am not technical, so I’ll do my best to convey the information presented here.
11:01 am Bryan Wade is introducing Michael Cianco-Bunch and Scott McCorkle. McCorkle is speaking about our dedication to integration, improving our user experience, and how the API is key with CARBON-check it out online!
11:03 am Michael is on. We are a young company, but our API has a history. XML API (2002) was created originally only for content management. A bulk Asynchronous API was introduced in 2004. Our SOAP API was launched in 2007—this is the foundation for our web services …
11:05 am … and actually, the Asynchronous Web Service API became available in 2008. It seems that not many people are using it right now. Its advantages include quicker calls, better status reporting, and correlating conversation IDs. Start using!
11:07 am First thing we did in 2009 was support compression…coming your way in a release! We’re also beta testing API streaming, which helps with large packets.
11: 09 am Bryan Wade is highlighting current functionality.
11: 10 am Michael is focusing in on streaming sends: we can send as we receive via the API, with triggered sends for example, instead of waiting until a certain number are received before sending.
11:11 am Did you know API calls are up 1.5x from last year? “This amount of use is a testament to the fact that the API is now better. More people are able to use it.”-Michael.
11:13 am What does the future of the API look like? The API is a platform to help customers and partners to integrate. Michael is saying that there are a number of tools that allow us to integrate, extend, and embed ExactTarget. These tools support functions not possible with just the API. Here are a few of the tools: Programs, landing pages, AMPscript … the list goes on.
11:15 am There was a huge “Hoorah!” from someone when Michael announced the introduction of a REST API. File based API and Authenticated Asynchronous API Results Callbacks are on the horizon as well.
11:17 am A user is asking about tracking a file that is sent with new API functionality … You could give the file a conversation or correlation ID so you don’t have to worry about re-using file names.
11:18 am Why is the Authenticated Asynchronous API Results Callback so great? You don’t have to fish for errors with queries! BIG question…what is the timeline for delivering these advancements? … Next year! Be on the lookout!
11:19 am We’re changing topics to landing pages and their use for creating Profile Centers, subscriber capture, and promotion pages. The beauty of landing pages is that they extend the user interface and can be integrated with ET.
11:23 am More on landing pages! You can embed them within your application. Sign-up forms are an example.
11:25 am ExactTarget’s API roadmap … One set of items is pre-built templates “encapsulating some application function (e.g. Send Wizard, Data Extensions, etc).” … There is so much more information to convey here …. Trying to get it all down!
11:26 am Java will be supported on landing pages. This is great news!
11:27 am “AMPscript is the future!” says Michael … just kidding … Java is going to eventually replace it. ExactTarget also wants to introduce JavaScript activities like data transformation and user defined functions. There is a lot on this roadmap! It is clear that ET is truly focusing on product development.
11:30 am Looking now at Data Integration … We want users to be able to import from external systems and export to them as well. Data cleansing is also on the horizon, in addition to a number of other functionalities to help users integrate data. We have our sight on breaking down barriers that keep us from being an open platform.
11:34 am Again, we have a lot of information here! I strongly recommend reaching out to some of our developers while you are here.
UI Extensibility: even more features are coming. As a user, you will have the ability to define a custom home page, add buttons, add tabs to our toolbars, and add custom fields to forms. McCorkle talked about building a user experience in our user interface. What a concept! It will allow a great degree of customization in each user’s account.
11:38 am The Program feature is going to be further developed as well. Whoa - EXCITING: templates will also be available for programs. For example, there will be a template for a birthday program in the user interface. This functionality will be extremely helpful for marketers and programmers with limited resources.
11:41 am Question time! Yes folks, the API is almost too good to be true … and yet it is!
11:43 am Now we’re talking about Enterprise 2.0. With the API you can do things in the application “on behalf” of users without exceeding their permissions. You will also be able to access objects in multiple business units via the API in 2.0.
11:49 am And in closing…share your ideas! Let ExactTarget know how, as a developer, we can improve 3sixty for your use. Quite a few people in the crowd here use 3sixty and some of those are members of the Developer Community. This community needs to be more active. We have deliver 100+ ideas on 3sixty so far…let your voice be heard!
Coming to you live from Connections ’09! Enjoy the rest of the conference!
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