The Developer Portal in IBM API Connect serves as the interface for API consumers. A member of a "Consumer organization," often called an Application Developer, is the user who registers on the portal. Their primary task is to create a client application entity within the portal. This registered application is then used to subscribe to available API Products, which in turn grants the application the necessary credentials (e.g., Client ID and Secret) to invoke the APIs. The Provider organization creates and publishes the APIs, while the Consumer organization builds applications that use them.

1. IBM API Connect v10.x Knowledge Center

"API Connect overview": This document outlines the key user roles. It states

"Application developers use the APIs that are created by API developers. Application developers work for an organization that wants to gain access to your APIs... They register their applications

then subscribe to the APIs... in the Developer Portal." This clearly defines the consumer's role in creating applications.

Reference: IBM API Connect v10.x Knowledge Center > API Connect overview > API Connect user roles.

2. IBM API Connect v10.x Knowledge Center

"Using the Developer Portal": This section details the workflow for an application developer. The first steps involve signing into the Developer Portal and then creating an application. It specifies

"To use an API

you register the client application that will access the API."

Reference: IBM API Connect v10.x Knowledge Center > Developing and managing APIs and Products > Using the Developer Portal > Registering an application.

3. IBM API Connect v10.x Knowledge Center

"Managing consumer organizations": This page explains that Provider organizations manage the consumer organizations that will use their APIs. It states

"In the API Manager UI

you can create and manage the consumer organizations that will sign up to your Developer Portal to use your APIs." This reinforces the distinction between the provider and the consumer who creates the application.

Reference: IBM API Connect v10.x Knowledge Center > Administering your environment > Managing consumer organizations.