February 2022 Summaries

The text provides a detailed guide on integrating with the Workday API using Python, emphasizing the use of SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) architecture instead of the more common REST architecture. It explains the steps necessary to set up permissions in Workday, create an Integrated System User, and construct a SOAP request to retrieve employee data. The guide includes technical instructions on setting up a request file, creating the SOAP request body, and converting the XML response into a readable format. Additionally, the text highlights the benefits of using Merge's Unified API, which simplifies the integration process with Workday and other HR solutions by offering a RESTful approach and smoothing out pagination and authentication.

Merge's engineering team has tackled the challenge of managing API rate limits effectively, especially when dealing with multiple integrations. The article outlines the complexities involved in handling varying rate limit policies across different APIs, including challenges with scaling, synchronization, and adapting to dynamic, user-specific rate limits. A robust rate limit tracker is recommended, involving a "Rate Limit Manager" to monitor configurations and track API requests using both temporary and persistent storage. Strategies like exponential backoff and scheduling are suggested for handling exceeded rate limits, alongside the implementation of dynamic thresholds to optimize performance based on anticipated data loads. These measures are essential for maintaining efficient and reliable operations in distributed systems, with Merge having successfully integrated such systems for various platforms.

Merge's Unified API has introduced an "ignore objects" function that allows customers to specify what end-user data is stored in Merge's servers, providing a way to comply with security or data storage concerns. This feature sets ignored models and related models to a 'null' value in Merge's servers, ensuring that even if data is sent from a third-party application, it will not be saved. The "ignore" function is preferred over permanent deletion because Merge regularly polls and normalizes data from various vendors, and deleting data could result in it being pulled again later. By using "ignore", customers can trust Merge to help them stay compliant with user requests and boundaries, and the feature scales as new models and features are added. The ignore objects feature can be used in various scenarios, such as when a recruiting candidate doesn't want their data stored or when a customer no longer wants their data stored by Merge.

Merge has introduced a feature called Scopes, designed to give users granular control over the data they sync through its Unified API, which covers HR, recruiting, accounting, and payroll data. This functionality allows users to selectively sync specific data models and fields by toggling them on or off, providing flexibility to manage data access according to their needs, such as focusing on particular elements of an employee's HR profile or addressing privacy concerns during sales processes. The Scopes feature can be accessed through the Merge portal under the "Configuration" tab, where users can easily enable or disable entire models or specific fields. This development underscores Merge's commitment to offering customers enhanced control over their data interactions within its integration platform, allowing for seamless customization and management of various API integrations.