Workbook

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:

Make Better Decisions With WorkBook Intelligence Dashboards

Being the decision maker for your business isn’t always the most comfortable role. But for agencies who want to grow or mature as a business, whether that be for acquisition or not, the kinds of decisions that need to be made are of greater importance and have a significant impact. For these agencies, it is crucial they take their business intelligence (BI) reporting to the next level. To accomplish this enhanced level of analytics, decision makers sometimes turn to out-of-the-box BI tools to translate large volumes of data into generic insights, but too often they must spend additional effort translating that into what works for their agency’s specific needs.

But with Deltek WorkBook Intelligence, decision makers can improve reporting with customizable dashboards that fit their agency’s specific needs without the hassle of gathering and translating gobs of data into something useable. WorkBook Intelligence makes it easier to discover actionable insights that lead to better decisions for growth.

As part of the total agency management solution, WorkBook Intelligence includes several standard dashboards that provide valuable analysis of agency KPIs.

Client Analysis Dashboard

The Client Analysis dashboard is useful for comparing the relative performance of clients and the margin that each client is delivering.

This dashboard provides an overview of the sales and profit attributed to clients based on the jobs contained within that client record. The available filters allow you to refine the specific client or group of clients on which you want to get analysis. The analysis provided shows the sales values of costs incurred and the associated profit of those costs.

Jobs Analysis Dashboard

The Jobs Analysis dashboard is best used to compare the relative performance of multiple jobs to identify anomalies or outliers and, once identified, to drill down into the specific detail of those jobs to the transaction level to pinpoint potential problems or issues that require action.

This dashboard provides an overview of the sales and profit attributed to jobs and enables you to compare the performance of jobs relative to each other, either across the entire Company or within a selected client or clients, depending on the filters that you apply. The available filters allow you to further refine the nature of data to analyze, based on the status of the jobs or the approval status of the transactions within them. The widgets on the dashboard show the sales values of costs incurred and the associated profit of those costs.

Finance – All Years Dashboard

The Finance – All Years dashboard is useful for agencies that are part of a network with different offices or companies sharing the same WorkBook solution. It shows an overview of the financial results of a single selected Company across all finance years in your WorkBook system, as it enables you to filter one Company at a time. It displays numeric data in the Company currency of that selected Company.

Finance – Single Year Dashboard

The Finance – Single Year dashboard is similar in that it is meant to show the financial data of a single company within a network of agencies. This dashboard shows an overview of the financial results of a single selected Company for a single selected financial year. Again, it displays numeric data in the Company currency of that selected Company.

CRM Dashboard

The CRM dashboard provides an overview of the value of pipelines on clients and prospects within your WorkBook system. An extensive range of filters gives you the ability to remove unwanted detail and focus on pipelines for specific clients, time periods, statuses, and levels of progression.

Data is shown both in a “full value” state and with the consideration of any probability that might have been applied, which means you can see a weighted total of pipelines, based on their respective probabilities which has an impact on expected revenue. All values are displayed in the Company currency of the selected Company.

Resourcing Dashboard

You can use the Resourcing dashboard to identify individuals, or groups of employees—for example, in departments—who have limited available capacity relative to the scheduled bookings made against them, or who have outstanding timesheets relative to their total capacity. For this dashboard, a large number of filters are available, including the ability to filter on more than a single Company, by department, or by employment type.

Create your own WorkBook Intelligence Dashboards with a Designer License

For agencies that are ready to elevate their business intelligence and need dashboards that provide insights not found in the standard offering, a Designer License allows you to create your own WorkBook Intelligence dashboards using the predefined data models provided.

With a Designer license you can:

Create a dashboard on the Analytics tab of the WorkBook Intelligence Design page.
Create and edit dashboard controls in the header ribbon when a dashboard is in Design mode.
Customize a dashboard’s layout by rearranging the widgets that are part of the dashboard.
Create nested dashboards that are suitable for drilling down into the detail of widgets on a dashboard.
Use filters to show only the data you want to be shown.
Copy, export, import, and delete dashboards.

6 Reasons to Attend Deltek ProjectCon

Deltek ProjectCon, formerly known as Deltek Insight, is the destination for project-based business professionals to gather for inspiration, education and collaboration.

This year’s Deltek ProjectCon will take place on November 15-18^th at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN! PCI is excited to participate as a Platinum sponsor at this year’s event!

Check out these six reasons to register for DeltekProjectCon:

Deepen your Product Knowledge – This conference offers hundreds of product educational sessions teaching new skills, tips, and tricks. PCI will be hosting three sessions, listed below. Be sure to add them to your agenda!

CPSPON-13: How to use the MS Word reporting tool in Costpoint

CPSPON-14: Offers and Decisions

CPSPON-15: Do your contracts have CLINs/SLINs/ACRNs? Do your employees complain because they have too many project codes? See how ACRN billing will fix all your problems.

Networking! – Connect with thousands of attendees, Deltek leaders and visit with the PCI team in the Xpo Hall!
Ignite Innovation – Hear how companies like yours are leveraging Deltek’s solutions!
Certifications – Be sure to take advantage of the complimentary Deltek University certification exams while on-site!
Meet 1:1 with Experts – Meet 1:1 with the PCI team, Deltek Customer Care, Solutions Engineering team and more!
Enjoy your time! – There are a ton of fun activities planned throughout the conference such as philanthropic activities, special networking events and a customer appreciation party!

We hope to see you there! Register now to attend!

Get WorkBook Certified in the Deltek Learning Zone (DLZ)

The content in this blog has been repurposed from our partner, Deltek.

Deltek University are delighted to announce the launch of the WorkBook Core Certification, giving you the opportunity to validate your WorkBook expertise by completing the WorkBook Core Certification examination.

A Deltek product certification is a great opportunity for professional development. Many Deltek customers are already taking the time to add new learning and development opportunities to their weekly to-do list and getting Deltek Certified helps demonstrate their value by going a step further with product certification. Getting noticed by your peers for earning your Deltek Certification will help demonstrate the value you bring to your organization.

The new examination will test your WorkBook knowledge with 75 multiple-choice questions covering Inbox and navigation, Time and Expense, CRM, Scheduling, Jobs, Settings and the mobile app. The Finance and Administration module will have a separate exam launching in 2022.

Once you successfully complete your exam, participants will receive an email with a link to the Deltek certification badge and a certificate of completion, which you can proudly display on your email signature or Linked-in profile.

Product certifications are valid for two years and provide quantifiable proof of product proficiency and industry expertise – a great way to help advance your career and improve overall job performance.

Deltek customers can access the exam through the Deltek Learning Zone. You can get help with logging in here or if you have any questions, please contact us at any time.

Three Ways WorkBook’s Collaboration Can Help Agency Teams When Working From Home

Agency ERP system Deltek WorkBook‘s collaboration feature, allows agency teams to collaborate with ease. And best of all, all communication stays within the system so there’s no searching through emails looking for a vital piece of correspondence.

If you’re a WorkBook agency and not using this feature yet, here are 3 reasons to give it a go!

1. BRIEF COLLABORATION

Getting a brief right is important for so many reasons. In WorkBook you can collaborate on briefs at both a job level and a task level.

At a job level, collaboration helps get the initial brief right before it’s shared with the wider team.

While at a task level it allows those working on tasks to review them easily and ask any questions should anything be unclear.

2. ESTIMATE COLLABORATION

Getting an estimate right is important. Collaborating on the estimate allows the person creating it to liaise with all the individuals involved on the job. This will ensure the correct number of hours for each role have been included.

Estimate collaboration will also ensure scope creep is kept to a minimum.

3. OVERALL PROJECT COLLABORATION

Collaboration in WorkBook is not just limited to estimates and briefs, agencies can also collaborate on pipelines, invoices and purchase orders. Meaning all project related communication is stored in the system against the job, so it is easy to access and get an understanding of where a project is at any given time.

Set Up Timesheet Reminders To Improve Compliance

Nobody likes timesheets. But for agencies that scope work based on hours, unfortunately they are a necessity. That’s why WorkBook helps you take the sting out of timesheets and improve agency-wide compliance by first making timesheets easier to fill in, and secondly, by allowing you to schedule reminders that help employees remember to submit them on time.

Here’s How:

Global Settings: First, set up how far in the past WorkBook looks at incomplete timesheet registrations. Navigate to the “Settings,” find “System variables” and search for “896” to locate System variable 896.

You can set the system up to look at:

Days
Weeks
Months

Employee settings: Once the global time frame for timesheet registrations have been set up, the feature should be enabled on each employee.

Use the initials field to bring up the employee card and navigate to Employee basic settings.

Result: Next time the employee logs in, they are prompted with a “Time entry incomplete” dialog that looks like this:

From here the employee can add jobs and tasks to register time on.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If an accounting period has been closed, this will LOCK OUT the user until they either approve the day without adding hours, or a system administrator removes this pop-up from their employee settings.

Why you Should Lean on PCI for Staffing Support

The answer is easy – using a third party for staffing support saves you time, money & resources.

PCI utilizes our reputable network of industry resources to provide clients with the best finance and accounting solution for your projects. PCI Staffing Solutions can connect you to direct hire and contract staff to manage your back-office support. Our placement success spans all levels, from c-suite to entry level.

Our recruiting team has over thirteen years of recruiting experience for positions relating to finance and accounting, information technology, marketing, human resources – as well as various other roles across many industries. At PCI, we focus on helping our clients build successful teams with professionals who have a strong background in Government Contracting & Marketing Agency accounting.

Our recruiting process is comprehensive and detail oriented. We will save you time and money in the process of finding the perfect professional for your firm. We begin our staffing process with an informative introduction call to PCI Staffing Solutions with your designated PCI recruiter. In this call, we will gather information around the role to be filled, the skills that are needed for that role, and details on company culture. From there, our team is able to pick up on your needs for this position and begin the recruiting process.

PCI uses industry leading search tools to find and speak to qualified candidates. Not only will our team review all candidate’s professional background they will also screen for interpersonal and communication skills. Once qualified candidates are identified, we will then assist in coordinating interviews. If a PCI candidate is selected for the opportunity, we will help both the candidate and the client in the onboarding process to ensure a smooth start.

PCI Staffing Solutions looks forward to partnering with you to build a successful team now and in the future.

Learn more about PCI’s staffing solutions here.

Predict Job Performance With WorkBook’s Estimated Time to Completion Calculation

One of WorkBook’s most insightful features is the Estimated at Completion (EAC) algorithm. This metric shows you how WorkBook uses all the data you’ve put together in a Job plan or budget to essentially predict how your Job will turn out so that you can take preemptive action to mitigate overruns or maximize margin.

The thing that makes WorkBook exceptional is the ability to calculate a key variable in this prediction: Estimate to Complete (ETC). ETC is a calculation of the hours and costs that are left to complete within the Job’s plan. When enabling ETC in WorkBook, you trigger the system to ask the users assigned to Tasks if they are on track in completing it within assigned number of hours, or if they expect to log more hours than planned. WorkBook then takes that input and calculates the cost of what is left in the budget in order to complete the Job.

When ETC is combined with the hours and costs already incurred, you then have your predicted outcome or EAC.

How to Enable ETC:

In order to enable this feature, you need to enable system variable 405 which has three settings:

Disabled
Enabled on billable jobs
Enabled on all jobs

Once enabled for instance on all Jobs, only new Jobs will have this setting enabled. For existing Jobs, you need to enable this manually.

So let’s say you allocate a Task to an employee for twelve hours.

The employee starts working on the Task, and if they want to make a request for more hours, they can do so by right clicking on the Task in the to-do list. The ETC filled in will be the total number of hours to complete the Task.

For example, if the employee has been assigned for twelve hours and now uses two hours, and request twelve hours, then the total allocated time will be fourteen hours. In other words, the ETC request is the total hours needed.

Once the employee submits the ETC request, it will go to the Task Responsible on the job for approval. If no Task Responsible has been set, it will automatically revert to the Project Manager on the job.

If the ETC request is accepted, a notification will be sent to both the employee sending the ETC request and the Task Responsible/Project Manager.

The number of hours allocated will be increased upon acceptance of the ETC.

This new ETC calculation will then inform the EAC calculation, giving the Project Manager a new predicted outcome. At that time, they can take preemptive action and adjust the project plan to mitigate any potential overruns before it’s too late.

If you’d like to learn more about WorkBook, your can contact us or check out some of our demo videos!