Workday integrations tools are crucial for connecting Workday with other systems, allowing the seamless exchange of data. For Workday Integrations Consultants, several tools are typically featured on their resumes. Below is a comprehensive list, with explanations, differences, use cases, and pros and cons.
1. Workday Studio
How it Works:
Workday Studio is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for developing custom complex integrations to and from Workday. It supports the development of complex logic and the use of multiple data sources and systems.
Key Features:
It’s a graphical environment, but it also allows coding in Java or Groovy.
Allows for the development of integrations that combine multiple steps, like APIs, custom transformations, and service requests.
Use Cases:
Workday Studio is ideal when organizations need complex, highly customized integrations that go beyond standard capabilities.
Pros:
Highly flexible for complex integrations.
Can handle multiple input and output data formats.
Cons:
Requires technical expertise in Java and XML.
Steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
2. Workday EIB (Enterprise Interface Builder)
How it Works:
EIB is a user-friendly, no-code integration tool that allows organizations to export and import data between Workday and external systems using Excel templates or CSV files. It can be scheduled to run on demand or automatically.
Key Features:
Simple point-and-click interface to create data integrations.
Supports both inbound and outbound data integration.
Use Cases:
EIB is best suited for simple, periodic data transfers such as employee data updates or payroll information.
Pros:
Easy to use; no need for coding.
Quick setup for basic integrations.
Ideal for one-off or infrequent data imports and exports.
Cons:
Limited to simpler use cases.
Not ideal for real-time or highly complex integrations.
3. Workday Cloud Connect
How it Works:
Workday Cloud Connect offers pre-built, standardized integrations for common third-party systems such as payroll providers, benefits providers, and tax systems. Workday maintains these integrations, ensuring that they are up to date.
Key Features:
Pre-built integrations with third-party vendors.
Supported and maintained by Workday.
Use Cases:
Cloud Connect is ideal for organizations using popular third-party vendors, allowing seamless integration without the need for custom development.
Pros:
Reduces development time with pre-built solutions.
Regularly updated by Workday, ensuring compatibility.
Cons:
Limited to the vendors Workday supports.
Customization options are more restricted compared to Workday Studio.
4. Workday Web Services (WWS) APIs
How it Works:
WWS APIs are REST/SOAP-based APIs that enable the exchange of data between Workday and other systems. Developers can leverage these APIs to query or update data within Workday in real-time.
Key Features:
Provides real-time, programmatic access to Workday data.
Supports both REST and SOAP protocols for integration.
Use Cases:
WWS APIs are ideal for real-time integrations with external systems, such as updating employee records or retrieving real-time organizational data.
Pros:
Enables real-time data exchange.
Flexible for various integration scenarios, especially dynamic and real-time updates.
Cons:
Requires coding knowledge and experience with REST/SOAP APIs.
Requires careful monitoring to avoid performance bottlenecks.
5. Workday RaaS (Report-as-a-Service)
How it Works:
RaaS allows organizations to create custom Workday reports and make them available as web services, which external systems can call to retrieve data. Essentially, it transforms Workday reports into integration endpoints.
Key Features:
Turns reports into API-like services that external systems can query.
Output is usually in XML or JSON format.
Use Cases:
RaaS is perfect for situations where specific reporting data needs to be integrated with external systems, such as downstream data analytics or other third-party applications.
Pros:
Simple and quick to set up.
Doesn’t require deep technical knowledge.
Cons:
Limited to the data available in reports.
Not suitable for complex or real-time integrations.
6. Workday PICOF (Payroll Interface Common Output File)
How it Works:
PICOF is an outbound integration tool specifically designed for exporting payroll data from Workday to external payroll processing systems.
Key Features:
Generates standardized output files for payroll processing.
Configurable for various payroll providers.
Use Cases:
Organizations with external payroll systems can use PICOF to handle payroll data exports, ensuring accurate and timely transfers.
Pros:
Simplifies payroll integration.
Reduces the need for custom payroll integrations.
Cons:
Limited to payroll-specific use cases.
Customization can be challenging beyond standard payroll data.
7. Workday PICOE (Payroll Interface Common Output Extension)
How it Works:
PICOE is an extension of PICOF that allows organizations to extend the default payroll file layout with custom fields. It’s used when additional, non-standard data is required by the external payroll provider.
Key Features:
Customizable fields and formats beyond the default PICOF.
Use Cases:
Organizations with unique payroll data requirements that go beyond what PICOF supports can use PICOE to add additional fields to the exported payroll data.
Pros:
Allows flexibility in payroll file formatting.
Cons:
Increases complexity compared to standard PICOF.
Requires more configuration and technical effort.
8. Workday Prism Analytics (for Integrations)
How it Works:
Prism Analytics extends Workday's reporting capabilities by enabling organizations to combine external data with Workday data for more advanced analytics. It also facilitates integration with external business intelligence (BI) tools.
Key Features:
Data can be ingested from external sources into Workday for advanced reporting and analytics.
Provides enhanced data visualization and modeling.
Use Cases:
Prism is best for organizations that require complex data analytics by integrating non-Workday data sources (e.g., ERP, CRM, or other external databases) for comprehensive reporting.
Pros:
Enables advanced data analytics within Workday.
Supports external data ingestion.
Cons:
Requires significant setup and technical expertise.
More suitable for organizations with mature data analytics needs.
9. Workday Connector
How it Works:
Workday Connectors are pre-built integrations designed for specific use cases, like connecting Workday to third-party applications, including Salesforce, Jira, or Microsoft Azure.
Key Features:
Provides out-of-the-box connectivity with common SaaS applications.
Reduces development time with predefined templates.
Use Cases:
Ideal for connecting Workday to commonly used third-party applications with minimal customization needed.
Pros:
Reduces time and cost for integration setup.
Managed by Workday, so fewer maintenance concerns.
Cons:
Less flexibility compared to custom-built integrations.
Limited to supported third-party apps.
Choosing the right integration tools is crucial to maximizing the value of your Workday investment and ensuring seamless data flow between your systems. Whether you need a simple data transfer with EIB, a highly customizable solution with Workday Studio, or a pre-built connection with Cloud Connect, selecting the right tool can make or break the success of your integrations.
At ROCKCREST, our dedicated Workday consultants are here to guide you through every step of the integration process—from tool selection and implementation to ongoing support. Fill out the form below and contact us today to ensure your integrations are not only functional but optimized for your specific needs.