This section briefly describes the case organizations, i.e. data collection sites, to provide an organizational context for the research. The descriptions are based on the secondary data collected through websites and complemented with pri-mary data collected in interviews.
6.3.1 Active Life Lab
Active Life Lab is a Mikkeli-based research and development unit operated by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk). It was estab-lished in 2018. In addition to R&D project activities it provides wellbeing ser-vices, such as health measuring services. Active Life Lab’s mission statement is to increase health through effective wellbeing services. In addition, it operates as a learning environment. The purpose of the activities is to create new knowledge, develop better services, and to co-create and accelerate innovations in the domain of health and wellbeing through partnerships. As a research and development unit it is primarily focused on applied research but collaborates with universities and companies alike. Active Life Lab has developed methods, tools, and protocols to enable and support its activities. The tools and methods combine software and other digital technologies, physical devices, and profes-sional wellbeing services. For instance, a smart gym enables data capture and the measurement of wellbeing activities and their effectiveness. In addition, the data can be complemented by questionnaires and health tracking devices. The data is collected into a database and used in research and development activi-ties. In future, the data is anticipated to enable new kinds of business models and research opportunities. APIs are used internally to catalyst innovations and with partners to co-create services and laboratory infrastructure.
6.3.2 Forum Virium Helsinki
Forum Virium Helsinki is a non-profit innovation company owned by the City of Helsinki. Its objective is to co-create and develop Helsinki into a more func-tional smart city and enable better and more sustainable urban life. It collabo-rates in local, national, and international scope with companies, universities, public sector, and the citizens of Helsinki. Forum Virium Helsinki engages in different activities ranging from fast experiments to long-term development programs in multiple domains such as smart city, digital and cyber-physical services, user innovation, smart mobility, and sustainability. Forum Virium Helsinki has carried out over 80 projects with numerous partners and employs over 40 people. Helsinki Region Infoshare is one of the most well-known initia-tives. Due to this, it is also an independent data collection site in this study. Dig-ital and data-driven themes are present in many of the development programs, initiatives, and projects. Open data and APIs are the cornerstones of interopera-ble service infrastructure and the city as a platform concept. APIs indirectly en-able the development and piloting of new services and third-party applications and the utilization of the resources provided by the city.
6.3.3 Helsinki Region Infoshare
Helsinki Region Infoshare (HRI) is an open data service managed and funded by the cities of Espoo, Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. Initially it was an
open data initiative started by Forum Virium Helsinki. Currently, its activities are directed by a board consisting of funders and partners. The primary role of HRI is to publish and provide open data for the above-mentioned capital region cities. At the time being it covers over 600 open datasets and over 140 open APIs. In addition, it provides guidance and shares best practices and other knowledge on open data, e.g. how to produce, open, share, and utilize open data. The most visible part of HRI is its open data service that comprises of a web portal and data catalog. The service aims to ease the access to the data and catalyst the use of the open data for service innovation and development, busi-ness development, and research and development. The data catalog primarily consists of metadata and information on how to access the datasets. APIs and web-based user interface are provided as access methods and client interfaces.
The data includes such as housing, local governance, maps, culture, traffic, edu-cation, constructed and natural environments, city economy, health and social services, population, and employment. Many of the data sets are GIS-based and/or statistics.
6.3.4 Metatavu
Metatavu is a Mikkeli-based software startup founded in 2016. It focuses on software development as a service and open source technologies. In addition, it has a small software product portfolio. From technological perspective the pri-mary business is the development of tailored API-based web and mobile sys-tems based on the customer needs. Often, it also requires service design, system integrations, and such. Metatavu does not have a dedicated technology stack like many software companies. Instead technologies are chosen based on an optimal problem-solution fit. The primary customer segments include manufac-turing industry, agriculture, public sector, services, and SMEs. The scope and breadth of the business is likely to focus as the business scales and matures.
Currently, Metatavu has 13 employees and enjoys from a rapid cash-flow fi-nancing-based growth. Metatavu is both an API consumer and a developer.
Modern software development has emphasis on the use of APIs as construction blocks in digital products and services. Most software solutions and services developed and used by Metatavu are API-based. Its own products, such as KuntaAPI and an artificial intelligence-based chatbot Metamind are API ser-vices that can be attached to any user interface and integrated with other soft-ware. The rationale to use APIs is are related to software development and business model.
6.3.5 MPY Palvelut
MPY Palvelut is a business to business IT service company based in Mikkeli. It belongs to a group that emerged from a traditional telecommunications compa-ny which was originally founded in 1888. During its history MPY has carried out multiple transformations. Today, MPY Palvelut is a public company that
provides modern IT and infrastructure services to organizations and businesses.
Its service offering includes cloud services, business software, telecommunica-tions services, data centers, and professional services. It has a research and de-velopment unit that develops digitalization and digital business capabilities.
MPY Palvelut has developed its service offerings based on the technologies provided by its partners. It has combined different platforms and service mod-ules to provide an all-around portfolio of business software and services. APIs are in a prominent position in enabling service development and the configura-tion of modular services.
6.3.6 Platform of Trust
Platform of Trust (PoT) is a software startup company founded in 2019. It em-ploys approximately 15 people. PoT is a part of Vastuu Group, a well-established software and service company operating in constructed environ-ment industry. The business model is based on the logics of platform economy and network effects. Therefore, the business model is dependent on platform growth and scale. It needs large volumes and a constant flow of data and a solid customer base. In addition, the name Platform of Trust refers to an API-based platform for data interoperability, harmonization, and trust. Organizations can have different data-related roles in PoT. Data producers make data available as data products for enrichers and consumers. Data can be consumed and utilized, and the platform ensures interoperability and trust between platform actors.
The objective is to enable co-creation and catalyst business and service innova-tions. The company has emphasized developer experience in its platform as part of platform growth strategy.
6.3.7 Tapio
Tapio is a private professional services company operating in forestry and bio economy domain. It was originally founded in 1907 and has since undergone multiple transformations and name changes. Currently the group includes two companies, Tapio oy and Tapio Palvelut oy. Tapio group employs over 70 peo-ple. Unlike most private companies it has a public function. Tapio produces professional services, such as best practice guidelines for sustainable forest management, for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The company is also owned by the government. Tapio Palvelut is a subsidiary company that pro-vides additional commercial services as a traditional private company. In the past, Tapio has provided the best practice guidelines as printed books and as downloadable PDF files. However, it has initiated an extensive digitalization project in 2019 to transform the analog best practices data into structured digital form and provide it through APIs by 2021. Moreover, the project includes the development of other tools and services related to the data, its management, and new business opportunities.