AiThority Interview with Matt McLarty, CTO, Boomi

Matt McLarty, CTO, Boomi discusses API-driven transformations for enterprises, workflow automation trends, impact of AI in data management in this chat: 

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Hi Matt, from mainframe developer to CTO, what pivotal experiences shaped your journey in the tech industry?

I’ve always been focused on the connectivity of the digital world and helping organizations evolve from using legacy systems to adapting to new technologies. As a digital strategist, software architect, API enthusiast, and author, I have a broad range of experiences, through which I have found that the key ingredient for successful digital transformation is to be adaptable and resilient. Working with companies that have struggled with the transition from legacy to modern systems has been a pivotal experience and has shown me that enterprises with composable digital assets that can democratize development will be able to most effectively adopt innovative tools. As CTO of Boomi, I apply my firsthand experience identifying integration and automation best practices to help companies solve challenges with managing data and connecting applications, processes, and people. I find it incredibly rewarding to work with customers to prepare for innovation and achieve better business outcomes.

Also Read: AiThority Interview with Joe Fernandes, VP and GM, AI Business Unit at Red Hat

APIs are at the core of digital transformation. How does Boomi enhance API-driven transformations for enterprises?

• API adoption was already growing rapidly in the industry, and that is being exacerbated by AI. New API Management approaches are needed to tackle this API sprawl. APIs are integrated into each level of the AI stack. Shifting to the modern API economy and API management capabilities enables quicker and more secure communication within systems and plays a pivotal role for businesses in achieving AI value.
• Earlier this year, Boomi made two API-related acquisitions as part of our move to double down on API management and aligned to our broader vision to help businesses seamlessly integrate data at high scale and volume. Our acquisitions of both APIIDA and Mashery technology have boosted our API management capabilities, further enabling us to deliver federated API management, simple low-code/no-code development, and security and scalability for enterprises to provide business value. The acquisitions align with our principal goal of connecting data sources. The technologies have advanced our development of AI agents for API orchestration and played an instrumental role in the launch of the Boomi API Control Plane.
• Boomi API Control Plane provides a way to manage and govern APIs at scale and tackle API sprawl. Enterprises can leverage this solution to gain oversight of the number of APIs deployed, which are active vs. dormant, and which are readily available to avoid developing new unnecessary APIs. The API Control Plane offers a holistic view of APIs from one single platform while offering streamlined API documentation and greater accessibility for technical teams to manage, ultimately driving higher returns on API investments.

How do you see low-code/no-code platforms and AI intersecting? Could they redefine the skills required to build and maintain tech ecosystems?

AI is a means, not an end. In order for an organization to achieve business outcomes with AI, it must be connected to the data and applications at the heart of that organization’s operations. Low-code/no-code tools and platforms can provide that connectivity, and also lower the barrier of entry so that more people in different roles–not just technologists, but also business experts, front line staff–can be involved in transforming the organization through AI.

As an API expert, how do you predict the role of API management evolving in the next few years?

• As AI continues to rise, the resulting explosion of APIs will make API management increasingly complex. AI has caused API complexity to spiral out of control, creating a system overload of shadow and zombie APIs and disjointed API communications. AI dependence on APIs will lead to more API-driven architecture, which will require advanced solutions for deployment, orchestration, governance, and compliance. Despite being young, the 15-year-old API economy needs to evolve to accommodate today’s technology innovation, and businesses will have to find new strategies to manage APIs in order to maintain control and visibility.
• The AI economy is reliant on the API economy. To improve the synergy between both, organizations should focus on robust API management, comprehensive documentation, and seamless integration practices, ensuring that APIs are secure, scalable, and easily accessible for AI systems. Businesses should regularly employ audits and automated discovery tools to ensure API inventories are up-to-date, while governance policies mandate periodic reviews. The companies that can successfully manage API sprawl and control their shadow and zombie APIs will reap the full benefits of the AI economy.

What are some of the emerging trends in workflow automation, and how is Boomi adapting to or driving these trends?

Boomi’s recent report with 451 Research shows that 90% of business and IT leaders believe that Gen AI can improve the development and automation of data, application, and process integrations.The automation of business workflows is enabling technological democratization, as projects traditionally reserved for IT leaders can now be executed by non-technical staff. This will drive the prioritization of AI upskilling, providing employee resources and training, and fostering a culture of innovation across the business. As a result, organizations can overcome the challenge of IT talent shortages and give technical leaders time back to focus on continued innovation. Boomi drives the trend of automation through the use of low code to help customers quickly build applications in a simplified manner, easing the transition of cross-departmental roles as tech leaders step back and broader teams upskill.

Where do you see AI making the most impact in the integration space, particularly when it comes to real-time data management and automation?

• While many enterprise leaders adopt AI with the expectation that it will simplify integration and reduce technical debt, AI actually adds a layer of complexity, forcing organizations to manage both new and existing technologies. With the rapidly changing nature of AI, there will be increased importance placed on the ability to connect your data in order to be ready for AI adoption down the line.
• The disruptive process of AI implementation will call for high quality data, understanding how your data is collected, and deploying robust data management processes to provide the right context for AI systems and maximize benefits. 48% of leaders reported that lack of integration hindered their businesses’ efforts to overcome challenges and mitigate risks caused by technological disruption.
• Although it stresses the need for modernizing systems and connecting data, Gen AI is also beneficial in supporting the integration process. According to Boomi’s 451 Research report, organizations that have experienced Gen AI’s immediate benefits in integration have seen improvements in increased productivity, sales, revenue growth, and better customer experiences.

What are some of the key insights from the book you and Stephen Fishman recently published through IT Revolution, Unbundling the Enterprise?

Our book, Unbundling the Enterprise, is now available for purchase. In the book, we use real life case studies of digital leaders like Amazon and Google along with established enterprises like Coca Cola and Best Buy to illustrate the way APIs can be used to accelerate and scale digital transformation. In particular, we focus on how the optionality generated through APIs can help organizations engineer “happy accidents”: innovative developments that were unplanned but nonetheless lead to groundbreaking business results.

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