New Capability Enables Secure, AI-Ready API Creation Directly from FME Integration Workflows
Safe Software, the developer of the FME Platform, has announced the launch of FME Data Virtualization, a transformative feature that allows users to create secure, OpenAPI-compliant REST APIs directly from their integration workflows—without the need for additional infrastructure or custom code.
Unveiled at The Peak of Data and AI 2025 in Seattle, this capability redefines how organizations deliver governed, real-time access to enterprise data. Available now in beta to all FME Platform customers, FME Data Virtualization turns complex data workflows into query-ready API endpoints accessible by application developers and AI tools alike.
“FME Data Virtualization allows organizations to expose secure APIs on top of their existing systems—without needing to replicate data or manage new infrastructure,” said Don Murray, CEO and Co-founder of Safe Software. “This isn’t just about speed—it’s about putting power and control in the hands of data teams, developers, and architects so they can deliver faster, safer, and smarter data services.”
Built Directly Into the Integration Layer
Unlike traditional data virtualization tools, FME Data Virtualization is embedded within FME’s no-code integration environment. This means users can design, govern, and publish APIs in the same place where they already perform transformations and integrations—eliminating the need for separate API gateways, middleware, or shadow databases.
With native support for spatial data, IoT, cloud platforms, and thousands of business systems, FME provides organizations with the ability to securely expose real-time data to power custom apps, partner portals, and AI platforms.
Key Benefits of FME Data Virtualization
- Live access to any data source: No need to replicate or move data—access is virtual and instant.
- AI-ready OpenAPI endpoints: Seamlessly enable LLMs, agents, and AI tools to query enterprise data.
- Built-in governance: Define filters, authentication, and permissions to control data access.
- Streamlined innovation: Developers and data teams can build and manage APIs without writing custom scripts or maintaining extra infrastructure.
Sample Use Cases
- Empower AI agents to query internal systems securely for context-rich, real-time insights.
- Accelerate internal application development using reusable, stable API endpoints.
- Share data with external partners or regulators using open standards and secure protocols.
Designed for enterprise architects, data engineers, and application developers, FME Data Virtualization supports both synchronous and asynchronous endpoints, includes intelligent caching, and integrates seamlessly with existing workflows.
“We have always needed to explain to other developers, methods for them to run FME workflows, but with Data Virtualization, that all ends,” said Todd Davis, Technical Director at Abley. “They get to run FME like any other API and we get to still build workflows like we always have. That learning barrier is gone and we can all work seamlessly.”