An Application Programming Interface (API) is the way one software system talks to another, so data moves between them without anyone copying it by hand. It is what makes PLM integration possible, connecting product data to the rest of a brand's tech stack.
If the user interface is how people work with data, the API is how machines work with it. One system sends a request, the other answers with the data or confirms an update. Access is controlled with API tokens, unique codes that confirm a connection is allowed to read or change specific data. Because the exchange is structured, fields are mapped from one system to the next rather than re-typed.
A fashion brand runs on several systems: PLM, ERP, PIM, e-commerce and reporting tools. Without APIs, the same style data is entered several times, and every copy can drift out of date. With a well-governed integration layer, PLM integration with ERP and PIM keeps one version of the truth flowing to the teams that need it, from buying to compliance reporting.
Delogue builds its PLM system integration around structured product data rather than simple file transfers, for example passing accurate BOMs and product specifications from PLM into ERP. You can see which systems Delogue connects to on the Delogue integrations page.