The APIs Have It: CA Deal for Layer 7 Highlights Trend

In an era of software-defined everything, the API (Application Programming Interface) is becoming more and more crucial in addressing rapidly changing IT environments, and to leverage software development and delivery as a competitive advantage. Several companies recently have been acquired, or received funding for bringing APIs to the forefront, and getting deeper into the data center.

CA to acquire Layer 7 Technologies

CA Technologies (CA) announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Layer7 Technologies, a leading provider of API management and security. The announcement was made at the CA World 2013 conference this week in Las Vegas. Complementing CA's Identity and Access Management suite, Layer 7 products will help organizations better manage and secure APIs and speed delivery of cloud, mobile and composite applications. API management software enables organizations to govern API activity, as well as expand the network of API developers by offering a convenient API development platform that provides all the tools necessary to discover, publish and test APIs.

"The addition of Layer 7 and the synergy across our technologies will improve how we securely support organizations in their cloud, mobile and ‘Internet of things’ initiatives," said Mike Denning, Security general manager, CA Technologies. "We use APIs every day, whether accessing flight data from our mobile device, using Google Maps from a hotel website or making payments online. There are billions of API calls a day and that number is going to increase with the proliferation of smart devices, ranging from vehicles, meters, TVs and other devices, as they start interacting over APIs. Without API security and management, thousands of business services are vulnerable to disruption."

MuleSoft acquires ProgrammableWeb

Affirming its faith in APIs as the future of connectivity, MuleSoft announced that it has acquired ProgrammableWeb, a company that pioneered the idea of open APIs. ProgrammableWeb has the world’s largest and most active community of API developers and consumers. The combined API directories of MuleSoft's APIhub and ProgrammableWeb form the world’s largest and most complete repository of APIs.

"APIs are the catalyst for a new era of hyperconnectivity, and our acquisition of ProgrammableWeb underscores our commitment to connect the New Enterprise," said Greg Schott, president and CEO of MuleSoft. "Together with ProgrammableWeb, we’re extending our platform to give customers and developers a single, authoritative voice on APIs and a centralized venue for resources that enables developers and companies to fully embrace the API phenomenon."

"The number of APIs continues to grow exponentially, and we’re passionate about providing the best information and resources available to the API community," said Adam DuVander, executive editor of ProgrammableWeb. "MuleSoft’s industry leadership, financial strength to invest in ProgrammableWeb’s growth and commitment to growing the API ecosystem make it the perfect home for us, and we’re ready to join forces to further evangelize the importance of APIs."

3scale raises $4.2 million

San Francisco and Barcelona-based API Management solutions provider 3scale announced $4.2 million of new funding in a round from Javelin Venture Partners and Costanoa Venture Capital. 3scale’s flexible platform is immediate, self-service, and lets businesses build a solid foundation for their API program and scale confidently to serving 10’s and 100’s of Millions of API transactions per day. The new investment will help broaden 3scale's set of services and bring it to a global audience, enabling even more valuable APIs and API delivery by its customers.

“As products and services we rely on for our daily lives—from travel info to e-commerce, thermostats to elevators—increasingly connect to internet applications through machine-to-machine interfaces, the need for robustly managed API’s becomes critical,” noted Noah Doyle, Managing Director of Javelin Venture Partners. “We are proud to lead this new round of funding for 3scale because it will bring high grade solutions to a wide market, which no provider has done before.”

Intel acquiring Mashery

Although not officially announced by the company, ReadWrite Enterprise reported that Intel (INTC) is acquiring Mashery. San Francisco based Mashery is a company that specializes in linking together web-based software and services. Mashery has 125 employees, and has raised a total of $35 million from investors. Helping over 175 top brands, Mashery lists customers of its API technology and services like USA TODAY, Comcast, Hoovers, Rdio, Associated Press, Coke, and more. The two companies have collaborated in the past, to deliver the Intel Expressway API Manager. Positioned as a 'composite API platform' the 451 Group published this analyst report and the Intel and Mashery API Platform.