Mixed Returns on Voice APIs

Can you attract customers and make a buck by providing an
applications programming interface (API) for your telephony platform? Providing an API is necessary, says GigaOm,
but it’s not a ringer for financial success.

APIs provide the tools for voice mashups, making it easy for
service providers and independent developers to combine voice with data and
applications across multiple systems. 
Voice mashups can save money and help enforce business process quality
and consistency, but an API isn’t a solution and doesn’t necessarily make
money.

Lots of voice API-based companies are in business, but
they’re not generating a ton of minutes or money. For example, Jakuda and parent company
NetworkIP make about $150 million in total; API Jakuda may only
contribute a paltry $1.2 million to the bottom line.

APIs have a lot of potential, but telephony companies need
to focus on broader business plans that take into account what customers want
and how to solve their problems rather than see the release of an API as a
simple check box on the list to financial profitability.

For more:
– GigaOm asks if there is money in
Voice APIs

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