National Weather Service's Digital Alert System

Application programming interfaces (APIs) are a set of rules about how various systems can interact with one another. They can be used to create engaging mobile content as well as to improve communication with citizens. They help in automating previously manual processes so an agency can save time and resources on routine tasks.

One great example is National Weather Service’s (NWS) severe weather updates sent via email and SMS/text messages. With weather updates and warnings, timing and accuracy are critical. “NWS and other government organizations can get out of the business of sending out communications (and all the operational logistics this entails) and focus instead on their core business mission.”


Reference: Fiorenza, Pat, Learn How You Can Leverage API's at Your Agency, Govloop.com, August 27, 2012

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