Perplexity has introduced an API service named Sonar that would allow developers and enterprises to embed the companys generative AI search technology into their applications.The company has rolled out two initial tiers a more affordable and faster option called Sonar, and a higher-priced tier, Sonar Pro, tailored for handling more complex queries.In a blog post, Perplexity described Sonar API as lightweight, affordable, fast, and simple to use, noting that it includes features such as citations and the ability to customize sources. The company said the API is ideal for businesses requiring streamlined question-and-answer functionalities optimized for speed.For enterprises with more complex requirements, Perplexity will offer the Sonar Pro API, which supports multi-step queries, a larger context window for handling longer and more detailed searches, and higher extensibility.It will also provide approximately twice the number of citations per search compared to the standard Sonar API, the company said.Competing with bigger playersThe launch positions Perplexity as a stronger, more direct competitor to larger players such as OpenAI and Google, offering its real-time, web-connected search capabilities to users.Perplexitys real-time data retrieval and citation-backed responses cater to enterprise demands for reliable, transparent, and actionable information, said Prabhu Ram, VP of the industry research group at Cybermedia Research. By prioritizing verifiability and up-to-date insights, it offers a specialized approach that sets it apart from broader conversational models like GPT-4 and Claude, which serve a wider range of use cases but may lack the tailored features enterprises need for effective decision-making and compliance management.However, significant challenges remain in areas such as data privacy, depth, scale, and audit trails before any company can establish itself as a leader in the field.Although real-time information capabilities offer clear advantages, they also introduce additional complexities to an already intricate landscape.Enterprises tend to take cautious steps when exploring new technologies like enterprise research, especially when handling sensitive company data, said Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst and CEO at Greyhound Research. Beyond concerns around data privacy, security, and compliance, any large company would first evaluate accuracy and performance. Whether Perplexity can outpace Google and OpenAI in this space will depend on the aggressiveness of Googles and other competitors strategies.Real-time information and search is an area where Google excels. To stay competitive, Perplexity will need to explore other differentiators, such as compliance, Gogia said.Use cases for enterprisesAnalysts note that Perplexitys latest offerings have diverse applications, ranging from basic tasks such as identifying service management issues in IT functions to broader use by leaders in supply chain, finance, sales, marketing, and operations.Sonar Pro, [especially] caters to the needs of compliance-driven industries such as healthcare, BFSI, and energy by offering robust tools for security reporting, portfolio management, and seamless DevOps integration, Ram said. These capabilities not only enhance operational efficiency but also ensure adherence to regulatory standards, positioning it as an indispensable solution for improving software development practices.But for the tool to succeed, significant customization may be necessary, tailored to specific industries and individual companies.Initially, and in the near term, use cases are expected to remain highly customized before gradually evolving into industry-standard templates, all while adhering to local compliance requirements, according to Gogia. Early adopters may come from industries like banking and manufacturing with a mature data posture, which is an essential foundation for any such deployment, Gogia said. Architectural maturity is another key requirement for success, as it enables the embedding and native use of such a tool within the architecture.