Coca-Cola and Uber have implemented microservices and API integrations within their global systems to enhance efficiency and collaboration. Coca-Cola’s use of APIs has reportedly led to quicker, cost-effective delivery across its operations. Similarly, Uber’s transition to microservices facilitated independent scaling and rapid deployment in various markets.
These changes necessitated a shift from static, hardware-dependent networks to dynamic and programmable ones. API-first infrastructure is said to align with continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment (CI/CD) processes, which can potentially expedite service launches for enterprises.
In a related development, Tata Communications introduced its Network Fabric, a programmable platform that uses APIs to help enterprise systems adapt network resources in real time. This initiative aimed to assist a global software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider in optimizing network capacity management in response to fluctuating business demands. As the SaaS company expanded its digital services, it required a more responsive approach to network performance. Using Tata’s platform, it was able to adjust bandwidth automatically during crucial times, such as major software releases, and reduce capacity when demand decreased, thereby minimizing unnecessary costs.
Moreover, when the SaaS provider needed to conduct extensive data operations between its US and Asia offices, the network was reconfigured in under an hour— a process that traditionally took weeks. By integrating Network Fabric APIs into the provider’s workflows, Tata Communications aimed to give the company greater control over its network operations.
Despite these advancements, many enterprises still depend on legacy systems like multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and hardware-defined wide-area networks (WANs), which present challenges such as rigidity and incompatibility with modern technologies. Internal silos often lead to separate management of networks and applications, complicating transformation efforts. Additionally, pressures for immediate returns may hinder long-term network modernization strategies, as decision-makers may not remain in place to see such transformations through. Experts suggest that merely addressing short-term issues may not be effective; instead, a comprehensive approach to transformation is required to overcome the limitations of existing infrastructures.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/27/1121532/unlocking-enterprise-agility-in-the-api-economy/