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API

The API Integration Process

Written by: Sandy Froonjian

In my previous article, I provided a general overview of what the API team at PCI does. In this article, I’m going to get more technical and explain the details of how we work with our clients to accomplish that integration. To begin integrating, the client must be set-up within both software programs. We typically integrate Deltek’s Costpoint and WorkBook products, but we can connect to various other software programs as needed. For the sake of simplicity, I will reference Costpoint in this article.

Once Costpoint is implemented, the customer will contact a PCI Sales Representative and  describe the integration they require. For example, what third-party software are they using? Which module within Deltek/Costpoint do they want connected? Which fields within the module do they want populated? Which way(s) do they want the data to flow? Once the PCI Sales Rep has a good understanding of what the client needs, a proposal is created for them. The proposal will contain all the answers to the above questions, as well as the final cost of the integration.

            After the proposal is signed, the API team jumps in! The API team consists of a Project Manager, a Principal Consultant, and Software Engineer(s). Once the team is assigned, we first meet for a kick-off call, where we introduce ourselves, outline the steps of your integration, and give you a timeframe for each part of process. We will also schedule a weekly meeting series so that both parties can stay up to date on the progress.

            The first order of business for the API team is obtaining access to both your third-party system and Costpoint. Depending on the type of third-party software, we might need to get credentials to connect to its API’s, SFTP site, and/or SSL certificates. If we do not have access to your Costpoint system at this stage, we will connect through a VPN. The team then creates a WIC (Web Integration Console) environment for the client, which is an exact copy of their Costpoint system that is only used for testing purposes.

            Once we have all the access components we need, the next step is to complete a mapping document with the client. This is where customization comes into play. Because we are working with two completely different systems, the fields found in each system don’t align perfectly. Therefore, we need to discuss with the client how they want data in one system to flow into the other. This often involves creating crosswalks because the two systems might contain data of the same field in different formats. For instance, the field “Organization” in system 1 might be a text format such as “Premier Consulting and Integration”, while in system 2 it might be a numerical format such as “1.01.01.02”.

            After the API team and the client complete the mapping for every field, the Software Engineer can then code the function. The mapping file acts as the blueprints for the coder to create the API. Once they are done coding, we move into the testing phase. During this phase, we have the client make any possible test changes they see fit, so we can account for all possible scenarios while we are still pointed at the client’s WIC environment. Also, during this phase, the function is automated to run on whatever schedule the client asks for.

            Finally, once both parties are confident that all testing scenarios have been accounted for and that the API is working as intended, the engineer then points the function at the client’s production environment. At this point, the API is officially live! The API team provides one last meeting for the client called the “Dashboard Review.” During this review, we provide access to our Astrata dashboard site where the client  can monitor all the logs/run of the function moving forward. They also have the ability on this site to submit support tickets directly to the API team if they run into issues or concerns.

The amount of time that the entire integration process takes varies. If it’s an integration that we have done before, it can be as quick as 5-6 weeks, but if it’s a brand-new integration, it can take 7-8 weeks.

The diagram below summarizes the entire integration process:

What are APIs & What Does PCI’s API Team Do?

This blog was written by Sandy Froonjian, Software Engineer at PCI.

You may have heard the term “API” thrown around at your job here and there but have never really known what it is or what it means. APIs are ubiquitous and most software these days have API capabilities without people even realizing it. That’s because they are only found on the invisible back-end of software. But even though you can’t see them, and they aren’t talked about much, APIs can (and currently do) make your daily tasks much easier.

So, what are APIs? API is an acronym that stands for Application Program Interface. Ok, there you go! Hope this article was helpful! …just kidding. What the heck does application program interface even mean?! To put it simply, APIs are middleware software that connect two other software together. It’s a type of software that allows data to be inserted into, pulled from, updated in, or deleted from a different software. The types of actions APIs can do is often abbreviated as CRUD, which stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete/Destroy. To get technical, there are two types of APIs – SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and REST (Representational State Transfer). SOAP and REST dictate the HTTP protocol used to interact with the data. SOAP has more rigid standards and requires a little more work for the programmer, whereas REST is simpler and more flexible to work with.

Now that you understand what an API is, let’s talk about how they are beneficial to you! (Because otherwise, what’s the point of any of this?) Whether you realize it or not, you encounter APIs every day that make your life a little bit more streamlined. For example, if you’ve ever tried logging into a website, and it asked you if you want to login using Google, META, Twitter, etc., that is all thanks to an API. Similarly, connecting to PayPal when checking out on an online store is also the work of an API.

Here are PCI, we don’t work with Google or META. Instead, we use even cooler programs… accounting software! The API team connects to whatever third-party HR/payroll/expense-reporting software our clients use by gaining access to that software’s API. We also connect to their Deltek system (Costpoint) using Deltek’s API. We then export data from either system and import it into the other. There is a lot of room for flexibility and customization here, the client can choose if they want the data to flow from the third-party software to Costpoint, from Costpoint to the third-party software, or even have it flow bi-directionally. These functions are then automated to run on whatever schedule the client asks for. By connecting your software together like this, a more efficient workflow is created, because you will no longer have to enter the same data in two sperate systems. Say good-bye to duplicate entries!

            All in all, you can think of APIs as the middlemen of software. I like to use a restaurant analogy to describe them, our clients’ third-party software are like the customers at a restaurant, Costpoint is like the chefs, the API is like the server, and the data is like the food. The process goes like this:

  1. The customer (software 1) tells the server (API) what they want.
  2. The server takes that request and brings it (data) to the chef (software 2).
  3. The chef gives the server what they asked for (data).
  4. The server brings it to the customer.

We have already created several types of API integrations at PCI with dozens of different software, and we are always open to creating brand new ones. Stay tuned for a separate article where we go into detail about the types we have done so far!

If you are interested in learning more about PCI’s ASTRATA API integrations check them out here!

API Acronyms Uncovered

We live in a world filled with acronyms. For those who are not familiar, an acronym is an abbreviated formed word, formed by letters of other words and pronounced as a word.

The Application Program Interface (API) world is no different when it comes to abbreviations and acronyms. We have outlined some common API acronyms below.

  • API – Application Program Interface
  • WIC – Web Integration Console
  • SOAP and REST– types of API calls that can be made
    • SOAP – Simple Object Access Protocol
    • REST – Representational State Transfer
  • CRUD – Create, Read, Update, Delete
  • SFTP– Secure File Transfer Protocol
  • AWS – Amazon Web Services
  • SSS – Simple Storage Service
  • VPN – Virtual Private Network
  • SQL – Structured Query Language
  • CSV– Comma Separated Values
    • Type of file that can be used if SFTP sites are used
  • JSON and XML– Formats data from API calls can be in
    • JSON– JavaScript Object Notation
    • XML– Extensible Markup Language
  • 200, 400, 500 responses– responses that tell you if the API call was successful or not
    • 200– indicates successful API call
    • 400– indicates an error caused by the user
    • 500– indicates an error caused by the server
  • DNS– Domain Name System
    • Service that enables a link between domain names and the IP addresses with which they are associated
  • IP Address– Internet Protocol Address
    • unique string of characters that identifies each computer communicating over a network
  • SSL– Secure Socket Layer
    • Uses a public key to encrypt data transferred over the connection to communicate securely with the web server
  • TLS– Transport Layer Security
    • Authentication and security protocol widely implemented in browsers and Web servers
  • HTTP– Hypertext Transfer Protocol
    • protocol for information systems that allows users to communicate data on the World Wide Web.
  • HTTPS– Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
    • Adds SSL/TLS to the HTTP for added security
  • DB/DBMS– Database/Database Management System
    • Secure system where data is stored
  • SDK– Software Development Kit
    • Collection of software development tools in one installable package
  • CLI– Command Line Interface
    • Processes commands to a computer program in the form of lines of text
  • GUI– Graphical User Interface
    • Type of user interface where users interact with electronic devices using visual representations

We hope you have learned a new acronym or two from this today!

PCI offers cutting-edge solution integrations to complement and enhance your Deltek product investments. Our consultants help to identify and bridge gaps between various business systems, offering several third-party integrations into Deltek Costpoint and Deltek WorkBook. Our API capabilities include data pulls and custom-built integrations.

To learn more about API integrations, visit our LINK API Integration page.

Four Reasons to Consider Ramp for your Spend Management Platform

Do you dream of a way to automate your corporate credit card, accounting, and reconciliation process? What if we told you we have a solution that can help automate, streamline, lower your bills and integrates with Deltek Costpoint Expense? PCI and Ramp have partnered together to provide you with an integrated, streamlined credit card and accounting solution.

What Is Ramp?

Ramp is the only corporate card and spend management platform designed to help you spend less, helps you close your books 5X faster, and gives you 1.5% cashback on every transaction.

Here are four reasons to consider switching to Ramp

1.It’s easy for everyone

Deploy Ramp in minutes and eliminate expense reports with its easy-to-use software.

Features:

  • Automatic receipt matching
  • Virtual cards for all your subscriptions
  • ACH reimbursements for out-of-pocket spend

2. Control at scale 

Manage your employee spend as you grow with the most powerful limits & card controls.

Features:

  • Auto-locking cards & category restrictions
  • Recurring card limits down to the daily level
  • Multi-step card approval workflows

Submission policies that automate everything

 

3. Powerful integrations

Integrate seamlessly and automate everything to streamline financial operations.

Features:

  • Best-in-class accounting integrations
  • Automatic category and merchant mapping
  • SSO support for Okta and Google
  • Slack integration for smart alerts & approvals

 

4. Real-Time intelligence

Get one view of all your expenses with built-in intelligence & analytics to save you money.

Features:

  • Automated savings insights
  • Spend forecasting & analytics
  • Powerful search & filtering down to transaction level
  • Centralized vendor & subscription management

Learn more about our integrated solution here.

If you would like more information on Ramp and PCI’s Deltek Costpoint integration, contact us today.

Connect Everything

Is your firm using multiple tools to manage Financials, Payroll, CRM, HR and more? It may be time to consider connecting everything. Connect your applications quickly and easily with PCI’s LINK capabilities.

APIs can help connect all systems and data to one system to help you easily host all your data in one consolidated system such as Deltek Costpoint or Deltek WorkBook. In addition to data storage, API’s enhance productivity and help to drive revenue.

Still confused to how this may work for your organization? Here are a few examples: If you are using Insperity as your PEO, you can use API automation to move your employee data between the Insperity and Costpoint. If you are using HubSpot to move your marketing, sales, and service data we can sync it with Deltek WorkBook for consolidated project management and CRM tool.

Learn more about PCI’s LINK integrations here.

Premier Consulting & Integration (PCI) Expands Service Offerings with API Capabilities

Premier Consulting & Integration (PCI) Expands Service Offerings with API Capabilities

PCI is proud to seamlessly connect Deltek ERP users to hundreds of software vendors through newly launched LINK program.

 

Red Bank, NJ – November 16th, 2020 – Premier Consulting & Integration (PCI) has launched LINK, a utility which connects Deltek ERP solutions including Deltek Costpoint and Deltek WorkBook, via an API, to hundreds of software vendors to help Government Contractors and Marketing Agencies streamline efficiency.

With LINK, PCI and Deltek customers can streamline data between hundreds of software vendors. This will allow automation between their ERP system and virtually any 3rd party software solution. Integrations have been built between numerous vendors including Paychex, Bamboo HR, Salesforce, HubSpot, PD Expert, QuoteWerks, Fedex, Word Travel International and more.  LINK also connects to virtually all banking institutions and credit providers.

“Our goal with the LINK solution is to bridge a gap many of our customers have between the data flow across all internal systems used. Our LINK program provides quick and cost-effective solutions to our customers,” said Martin McGann, Founder and Owner at PCI.

Learn more on how PCI’s LINK integrations can streamline your operations here.

 

About Premier Consulting & Integration (PCI)

Premier Consulting & Integration, LLC (PCI) is the leading provider of financial management consulting services, implementation and audit support for government contractors and marketing agencies. Our consultants combine 30+ years of relevant experience acting as former CFO’s, controllers, and accountants. We offer small business solutions that are affordable, easy to use and profitable. Learn more at www.pcillcstaging.wpengine.com

 

For further information contact:

Becca Rosenblatt
Marketing Director, PCI
[email protected]

The Most Important Reason to Automate Payments Now

Written by Derek Halpern, Nvoicepay

 

A funny thing happened while I was writing this article. While I conversed with our editorial consultant on how to approach the struggles companies are facing in the current global climate, she received this email:

The names are changed for privacy purposes.

 

The email’s writer, “John,” is not the only accounts payable (AP) professional sending out emails like this. We’re in uncharted territory, and the rules are changing every day. But one thing we know for sure is that payments will always have to go out and that with workers ordered to stay home, it’s very difficult to cut live checks, as John and countless other accounts payable professionals are finding. Priorities have shifted, and remote supplier payments have jumped to the top of the list.

No doubt, AP departments will find a way to get it done. Paying invoices is a core function of every company, and people are working overtime to reach out to suppliers and get them paid electronically. Maybe there is some delay, but these companies will make it through the crisis.

But I think there’s more to learn from this whole experience than just solving a short-term problem. When we go back to “normal,” do we want our old payment processes to do the same, or is this our opportunity to start making long-overdue infrastructure upgrades?

Magnifying the challenges

AP is one of the last bastions of paper processing in the enterprise, and it comes with challenges. According to the latest research from AFP, companies still make 42 percent of their payments by paper check. All those processes that are involved with paying by check—printing them, hunting for approval and signatures, and stuffing envelopes—are culprits of inefficiency.

Back-end support adds another wrench into the process. Delays and errors are inevitable, so who do suppliers call when they’re missing a payment, or they’ve found an error? Processes for resolving these supplier issues in-house are maddeningly reactive.

Now these challenges are magnified, forcing us to think differently about how we run our businesses. A surprising number of people still think that making payments by check works, and up until recently, it’s been hard to argue with that. It’s not as efficient as it could be, but people have their check processing routines down. As more employees work from home, processes that required in-office attendance are no longer feasible. Just like John, many companies are reaching out to their suppliers, asking for different ways to make their payments. The new challenge: finding a way to securely store the data their suppliers provide them. Financial technology (fintech) companies have solved for this exact problem, and are ready to add value to AP workdays.

When most people think of adding technology to their business payments process, they usually imagine outsourcing the check writing process, doing ACH payments through their bank, and maybe having some kind of virtual card program.

Most fintechs have moved beyond that kind of disjointed offering. They look at the whole end-to-end process and implemented a process that streamlines payments and mitigates the risk of maintaining extensive supplier data by offering supplier services.

Beyond operational efficiency

Until now, the drive for supplier payment automation focused primarily on improving operational efficiency. As payment fraud rises, buyers have turned their attention to reducing the associated risk. Business continuity has not really been part of the conversation; if it came up, concerns got pushed aside as unlikely worst-case scenarios. Now is the time to address the elephant in the room, and push through the uncertainty to strengthen our AP teams.

We don’t know what the new norm is yet, but it seems clear that we’ll see a rise in remote work. The ability to quickly move so many operations online has been one source of resiliency during this time. Companies are learning more about roles previously considered to require a presence at headquarters. They’re finding that many HQ functions can be accomplished remotely by taking advantage of automation and cloud technology.

At a minimum, remote capabilities cater to the business continuity strategy that meets today’s needs. But in many cases, the other benefits like added security and supplier support make automation adoption a no-brainer. By removing the stress of getting manual check payments out the door, AP teams are freed up to apply their time to more beneficial and critical tasks.

Learn more

Join PCI and Nvoicepay on 10/14 for an overview of Nvoicepay and Costpoints API integration.

New call-to-action

“This article originally appeared on Nvoicepay’s blog https://www.nvoicepay.com/resources/blog/the-most-important-reason-to-automate-payments-now/”

The Power of Integration

The question comes up with any software application, can this product keep up with our business needs or is it only solving the bare minimum?

 

Keeping Technology Fresh

Technology is constantly evolving to solve the needs of business problems. New features keep software platforms up to date and relevant.  Developing new features is no easy task, which is why APIs are becoming more and more popular.

 

The Power of APIs

The ability to connect multiple systems increases the effectiveness of your solutions. APIs give clients extensibility, the capability to create connections between multiple software platforms.

 

Streamline your Business Process with PCI’s API Integration Support

PCI offers cutting-edge solution integrations to complement and enhance your Deltek product investments. Our consultants help to identify and bridge gaps between various business systems, offering several third-party integrations into Deltek Costpoint. Our API capabilities include data pulls and custom-built integrations.

 

Learn more about our Integration capabilities here. Interested in getting started? Contact us today for a quote!

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Premier Consulting & Integration, LLC (PCI) is the leading provider of financial management consulting services, implementation and audit support for government contractors and marketing agencies.

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