Batch APIs, also known as batch processing APIs, can be a helpful way to perform large-scale operations on a system by sending a batch of requests in a single call rather than making individual requests for each operation. This can be a more efficient and cost-effective way to handle lots of data.

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Asynchronous vs. Synchronous

There are a few different ways to implement batch APIs, depending on the needs of your system and the type of operations you're performing. For example, you can use asynchronous batch processing, which lets you send the batch of requests and then continue with other tasks while they're being processed in the background. You can also check on the status of the batch and retrieve the results when they're ready. Or, you might use synchronous batch processing, which processes the batch of requests in real time and returns the results to you as soon as they're available. Finally, you can use scheduled batch processing, which lets you specify a schedule for the batch to be processed, allowing you to set up recurring or routine operations without manually initiating them each time.

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SFTP File Transmission

At Prove, we implement asynchronous batch processing when a client can send us a properly formatted CSV file which we run through our batch processing tool and then return the file using a secure SFTP server. The number of files submitted and the frequency is directly related to how long it will take to process the data.

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(source: 69406930ravi, EncryptionandDecryption, 2021, https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/sftp-file-transfer-protocol/ )

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It's essential to think about the needs of your system and the type of operations you're performing when deciding which batch processing method to use. For example, asynchronous batch processing may be more efficient for large-scale operations that don't need immediate feedback while synchronous batch processing might be necessary for immediate feedback operations.

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Batch APIs vs. One-Off Requests

Overall, batch APIs can be a great way to improve the efficiency and scalability of your system, especially when you're dealing with lots of data. By allowing you to perform large-scale operations in a single call, batch APIs can save you time and resources, making them a valuable tool for any system that needs to process a lot of data.

Prove offers batch processes for Identity Manager (Fonebook Enroll, Update, and Disenrollment), Trust, Verify (as well as Verify & Trust combined), Contact Enrichment, and the Fraud Network.

For more information about our various batch processes, see our batch documentation.

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