Integrations: When to use EIB vs Core Connector

The big advantage with Core Connectors is the Change Detection. Which helps in generating the outbound files with the change data / delta data.

Most of the times, the requirement will be to generate the full file for the first time run and later on the change file.

Example: 

Worker demographics data - on Jan 1st 2020. - Send Full File as it is the first time for the vendor. Then here on 1st of every month send the change file. i.e. difference in data from Jan 1st to Feb 1st. It could include new hires, terminations and any other requested data changes for the said duration. It goes on every month. - Best accomplished with Core Connectors.

Through EIB also you could achieve the change detection, however it is not as simple as selecting the parameters during the launch.

Lets say, if the requirement is to send full file as output every time, we use EIB as the integration system.

Integrations: How to you identify which integration to choose when you get a requirement

What is the approach?

Here is what I think you should consider while choosing the integration system. It hold good for both inbound and outbound.

When you get the requirement, first see if there are any Packaged Connectors (Delivered) for the third party directly with a little tweaks can help achieve the need.

Then if you were not able to find any delivered packaged connectors, try to see if there are any Core Connectors which are template based can help achieve the need of integration.

If you do not find one from above, check if you can do it with a custom report and through Enterprise Interface Builder.

And if any of the above does not show way for your integration needs, then you look out for Workday Studio. This is the final place where you achieve any complex integrations.

Summary:

Packaged connectors              - Delivered by Workday to connect with third party [End-to-End]
Core Connectors                     - Template based.
Enterprise Interface Builder - Custom Report or Web Service
Workday Studio                      - Multiple output files, Read from different sources , Exceptions,                                                                                                   Inbound & Outbound in same integration.

Create Link to Initiate Business Process

Create Link to Initiate Business Process

In workday, you can use the task: Create Link to Initiate Business Process to create an URL.

For example, if you want to send the navigation of Change Job for a worker to your business user or some one, you can create the link and pass it on to them.

Remember that you need have the access to the said BP in-order to access the same.

Migration tool: Solution

Solution

This is the feature used for migrating the objects / artifacts from one Tenant to the other Tenant.

You can create a new Solution or edit an existing Solution. And manually add one or more Workday Configurations to the Solution.

Check for the below Tasks

Most frequently used Configuration Types are:

- Custom Report
     - Integration System
     - Business Process Definition
     - Cloud Collection (Studio Project)

Create Solution Task  :

Select one of these options after you add your configurations:

Save Solution
Saves the Solution in your tenant. You can access the Solution using the View Solution report.

Save and Publish
Saves the Solution in your tenant, and starts the Publish Solution task. You can share it with others in the Solutions Library.

Save and Migrate
Saves the Solution in your tenant and starts the Migrate Solution task. Migrate the Solution to another tenant to which you have access.

View the existing Solution Task :

Integrations: Workday Web Services

Workday Web Services (WWS)

To access the Workday web services, you do not need community access. You can simply search on google and find the links as shown below.

This link below holds all the versions of workday web services. Click to view.

Version Directory

This link below shows all the public web services that you can access and the detailing of its attributes and properties. Click to view.

Workday Web Services

Example below:
Human_Resources is the Service
Change_Emergency_Contacts is the operation that you can perform.

As of today Jan 15th 2020, there are 43 broader services that you can find. Each of these services contain Operations.

You will be able to download the wsdl and xsd definitions.

• WSDL - Web Services Description Language
• XSD    - XML Schema Definition

Also notice that if any services were deprecated, they will be shown next to the operation.

Reporting: Enable Report as Web Service

Enable as a Web Service

You can enable your report as a web service.

Only Advanced and Search Report types allows you to make your report Web service enabled.

Usage:

1. You can use the web service enabled report in an Outbound EIB.
2. It can be used by an External web site if you enable your report as web service.

You can set up Web Services Options on the Advanced tab of the report definition.

Global Fields

Global Fields

The Business Object - Global contains various Global fields which are variables and constants that you can use in your BP rules, Custom Reports, and for your scheduled recurring processes.

Example: In a scenario where you wanted to get constant value for your report like 'TEST' or  '1', you can rely on the Global fields.

To see the Report Fields from the Global Business Object, Open the Report - Report Fields.

Also we can create custom Global fields by creating calculated fields with a business object of Global.

From Search bar accessing your business object:

Accessing your Report Fields report:

View of the Report Fields, notice the number of fields available.

Prefix: intsys

Prefix: Integration Systems

You can find all the integrations Enterprise Interface Builder (EIB) , Cloud Connect (both Packaged Connector, Core Connector), Workday Studio easily with the usage of prefix - intsys

This Prefix will come really handy for you when you are searching for any integrations in your tenant.

intsys: (keyin your search keywords)

Example - 

intsys: INT001 EIB out

Integrations: Workday Studio Introduction

Workday Studio

Workday Studio is one of the 3 ways of building your integrations. (Other two include EIB and Core Connector)

For you to work on Studio, you need to have the Eclipse Software installed on your machine. Once you install your software, and go to your application. You will see number of items on the initial page after the welcome page.

Below are some of the detailing as you move on.

Cloud Explorer :

This is the place where you connect your studio you to the Tenant. It could be any tenant.
You need to pass on Tenant Name, User ID, Password in order to get connected.

Preferences > Workday > Connections

** Be cautious when you right click on your project / Integration, Don't tend to click on remove, which will remove from the server / tenant.

Project Explorer :

This is the preview of your work space which means you are accessing you local files. Each folder is an integration. Clicking on Assembly will open the design for  you.

Outline:

Gives the complete picture of your integration, where you can navigate easily. Check out for different views by clicking the 4 different icons in Outline window.

Design | Tree Structure | mVal | Props(properties) and Variables

Schema Explorer:

You can add WSDL or WSD / You can add WWS (Mostly used for)  / You can add Custom Report schema (Raas) / XSLT

3 different perspectives in seeing your applications -- WD | Debug | Design Report (BIRT)

FYI -
Workday runs on web services.
Global fields fall under Integration system Business Objects

Integrations: Event Statuses

Integration Event Statuses

When You run any integration, ultimately you will see any of the below integration run status. Its good to understand what each status mean.

Workday Integration Run: Event Status