What is an API?
API Stands for application programming interface. An API is a set of commands, functions, protocols, and objects that programmers can use to create software or interact with an external system. It provides developers with standard commands for performing common operations so they do not have to write the code from scratch (techterms.com.)
How does an API work for you?
Essentially, it allows any auxiliary service to communicate with our system and is a secure way for our campuses to add loyalty points to a user’s profile. This is extremely convenient for the campus because of how flexible it allows the operations to be. For example, if a student prints something off a copy machine at the library, the campus could send us the user ID and the amount of points they’d like to allocate on the backend, and we can apply those points to the student’s account.
Can it work with existing applications?
Absolutely. Similar to the printing scenario we stated above, let’s say the campus has a parking app and a student has just paid for their parking. That parking app can use our API on the backend to send us the user ID and transaction amount, and we will apply loyalty points to that account.
What systems does it work with?
It doesn’t matter what system the campus is running on, or what technology is being used. The REST API allows us to work with any different programming language or system—flexibility is the name of the game. We recognize every campus is unique and has different technology stacks. The campus is able to kick the loyalty points over to our system so all campus-wide loyalty is housed in one place.
You are in control
As the campus grows with their mobile strategy, those points can eventually be used in broader contexts. What do we mean by this? Well, campuses can essentially start applying points where ever they see fit in order to drive behavior. Points can even be allocated for retail locations or the book store; it doesn’t matter what system is being used. The campus simply kicks over the points on our API back end, and then we can apply those points to any specific user ID.
What is most important is that the campus controls all the loyalty points. They also determine how these points are assigned, and what they are redeemed for. You can even build your own Rewards Store filled with campus merchandise, tickets, coupons, and gift cards etc. to boost marketing and provide on-campus incentives for your students. Our goal is to provide the ultimate flexibility for your campus allowing you to essentially assign points anywhere.
Get creative
With the flexibility of this process, the options are endless in terms of point allocation and driving student behaviour. Hangry’s system can be used as both a loyalty and marketing tool and leaves tons of room for creativity. For example, let’s say a campus wants to promote student attendance. They can have students scan a barcode when they’re entering a classroom. This in turn automatically rewards them a certain amount of points. To learn more creative ways to use the Loyalty program to drive student behaviour, click here.
Your App. Your Brand.
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