Launch of Standard API for Survey Data Transfer

The group behind the non-profit initiative called TSAPI has announced that there is now an agreed standard API (advanced programming interface) definition for transferring and sharing survey data.

Launched in 2020, TSAPI's aim is to improve connectivity within the market research industry, while acting as a bridge to enable the connection and flow of MR insights to other industries and sectors. Now, after two years of consultation, implementation, testing and refinement, the group has agreed the standard API definition, and its Steering Group has thanked all those involved, with a special mention to Askia, Arrowstream Analytics, Bayes Price, Digital Taxonomy, and Red Centre Software.

TSAPI Core is the base level implementation required to transfer survey data via the API, and there may be optional standards defined for non-Core functions at a later date. The definition (licenced under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International - CC BY 4.0) builds on industry standards, including Triple-S, for error-free transmission of research data between different software platforms. Those who chose to add TSAPI to their platform (or their suppliers' platforms), will be able to connect directly to any other TSAPI implementor.

Steering Group Chair Matt Gibbs (pictured), who is MD of survey data firm Bayes Price, comments on the launch: 'It feels like we're at the start of something significant, globally. Our next challenges are to convince platforms to implement TSAPI, users to ask for TSAPI, and industry organisations to endorse TSAPI. It's one of those rare collective innovations, which should lead to a great leap forward for our sector.'

Web site: www.tsapi.net .