Integration Options with RE NXT and External Systems

Ilene Parlin

We are new customers to switching from Ellucian Advance Web to RE NXT. We aren't up and running yet, but are evaluating options for Integration within RE NXT. Currently, we will be taking advantage of some of the products that do integrate or at least integrate via import/export right now  (i.e. NetCommunity, Guided Fundraising, Fundraising Performance Management, Blackbaud Merchant Services, Omatic tools for Financials Integration). 


We will need to integrate with several other external systems and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. For instance, is the Sky API the way to go? Systems we are looking to integrate with:

 - Ellucian Banner for Student Information data

 - Tableau (potentially will switch to PowerBI)

 - PeopleGrove (should have integration option coming in soon)

 - Evertrue

 - AlumnIQ


For Tableau integration specifically, I know that Mission BI is available via the Blackbaud Marketplace. Currently, we transfer data to an ODS from our main database and use Tableau Server to publish dashboards. I'm wondering if there are solutions for this type of integration without purchasing Mission BI. For example, could we use the Sky API to pull data used for our ETL process?


Any suggestions/recommendations on how you integrate or where it would be a good place to start are appreciated!!

 

Ivan Peev

Hi Ilene,


If you have a SQL Server license, I would recommend you check the commercial COZYROC SSIS+ library. We already provide connectors for Blackbaud's SKY API and we also provide technology for generating Tableau TDE files that you can then upload to a Tableau server. I have briefly reviewed some of the other services from your list and it appears many of them have REST API. We have a very extensive REST framework where you can define your own connectivity to any REST API. We could help you get started with some of the needed REST services by defining a basic configuration for the authentication part and then you will have to define the resources you want to use. Our product is completely free for use from Visual Studio and you will only need a license key to schedule and execute packages from SQL Job agent. Our license cost is very affordable (check here). Thank you for the opportunity!

Steven Cinquegrana

Hi Ilene,


Are you looking to create your own integrations or use off-the-shelf or third-party developed ones? If developed in-house, what development platform - .NET, PHP, etc - are you looking at?


Cheers,

Steve Cinquegrana | CEO and Principal Developer | Protégé Solutions

 

Ilene Parlin

I would say potentially either option, although I'd be working with the developers, not necessarily doing the development, so I can't speak to development platform so much. We have started using SnapLogic for some of our integration, which has been working well. In talking with one of our developers though, the Sky API looks like it should meet some of our needs. Most of our coding has been bulky PLSQL thus far (we are an Oracle shop moving to SQL Server) that will be good to get away from.

Steven Cinquegrana

Hi Ilene,


Be aware that you won't have direct access to back-end data with RE NXT unless you request data snapshots. All of your interactions with RE NXT data will be via the SKY web UI, the database view or the SKY API.


We do integrations, off-the-shelf and custom, as well as providing a .NET SKY API code library and SDK called SKYLib•NET if you were looking at developing in the .NET framework. PM me if you would like any information about our work.


Cheers, Steve

 

John Wooster

Hi Ilene.


I'm circling back to see if you ever found a solution to your integration challenge.

Mission BI Reporting Access™ and SQL Access™ are Blackbaud Marketplace App Solutions that enable standardized data source connections to your RE NXT and FE NXT data from virtually any reporting platform such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, or Crystal Reports.

Reporting Access™ and SQL Access™ are much more than simple API connectors. They are specialized database solutions, hosted and managed in the secure Mission BI Cloud, and optimized as data source connections for advanced custom reporting.
Let's jump on a quick call to get acquainted and explore how I can help. Please use the link below to drop a time on my calendar for us to connect.

See My Calendar and SCHEDULE A CONVERSATION HERE.

John Wooster
CRO | Mission BI, Inc.
843.491.6969 | https://www.missionbi.com
mailto:John@MisisonBI.com

Warren Sherliker

Hi,


Just to add another into the pot we have lots of orgs using our SmartSYNC integration product to sync various systems to and from RE. Happy to chat about it if interested.


Sounds like you have quite a few options here!


Sky API (which is what SmartSYNC uses) will be able to deliver from and update data in renxt. It is just the medium you choose to do that whether in house or from one of the many partners listed here.


Given the scope you may be best to get a technical/developer on board locally to review everything you need to fields level and help in selection of the solution.


Good luck!


Warren Sherliker

SmartTHING