Endpoint for Event Sync / Calender sync?

Brad D'Hondt

Hi,


Is there some way to gain access to calendar events via this API? Right now through Core we can do Core/System Tools/Data Import/ Content Engine, but are limited to event import and event delete. Is there some way to access these calendar events via API so that we can sync the calendar with an external source? I know we can sync from the Blackbaud calendar via iCal feeds, etc., but we are looking more of an API to actually feed/sync events into the Blackbaud calendar from another system. I don't see any endpoints in the SKY API for School for calendar/events, but was wondering if I was missing it.


Thanks,

Brad

Evan York

Hi Brad,

Could you describe your use case a bit more? As you said, we do offer iCal feeds to exchange information about events: https://webfiles.blackbaud.com/files/support/helpfiles/education/k12/full-help/content/bb-core-calendar.html

I'm curious how those iCal feeds may not be meeting your needs, in order to better evaluate exposing school events via API. I'd also encourage you to create an idea here: https://community.blackbaud.com/developer/ideas

Thanks!

Evan

Brad D'Hondt

Hi Evan,


We are looking for the exact opposite to what the iCal feeds do. The iCal feeds allow us to pull the calendar that is contained in Blackbaud OUT to an external system. We have an external system that we'd like to sync IN to Blackbaud. We basically have a facilities booking software where events/facilities are booked and would like to be able to sync that information into the calendars within Blackbaud. As I noted there is "import" but no "update" and we would like this to be a daily sync -> hence the API.


I am thinking something like:

1. Use the API on the external system to pull the events

2. Use the API on Blackbaud (if there is one) to pull the events

3. Run through the ones on the external system and compare to the Blackbaud calendar ones

4. Do any updates/deletes/changes within Blackbaud to match the external system via API


Brad

Brad D'Hondt

Just for some more insight on this. I found the API endpoints in the ON API as “Events”.

The equivalent do not seem to be present in the SKY API for some reason.

That being said, I am having problems with :

For some reason, when trying to use this, I am getting a 404 Error.

Using the example (but with my school and a valid event id:

https://{school}.myschoolapp.com/api/event/99999999?t={token}

Works fine to get the event details

https://{school}.myschoolapp.com/api/event/delete/99999999?t={token}

Gives a 404.

Anyone else run into this?

Brad

Michael Conan

@Evan York @Todd DeSchuiteneer @Stephen Boyle
I am quite interested in this as well - the request is for an alternative in the SKY School API to the ON APIs for Calendar Event CRUD, which are not mentioned on the migration reference.

Are these intentionally not being migrated, or is there another alternative available?

Stephen Boyle

@Michael Conan
They have not been migrated fully yet. They are in our backlog, though, but I don't have an expected delivery date as of now. I'll update the work items with this thread to make sure to notify you when we pull them in to work on.

Michael Conan

@Stephen Boyle
Thanks Stephen! Could they at least be added to the migration page as not migrated for clarity if they’re on the roadmap?

Stephen Boyle

@Michael Conan
I'll have the team take a look at that page and get it updated. I notice it is missing a lot of the work we have done, as well (namely, phone address, education and occupation endpoints).

Nick Marchese

@Brad DHondt
I assume you also can't/don't want to get an iCal feed out of your other system and import it IN to Blackbaud? For example, we manage almost all of our Shared Calendars in Google Calendar and import the iCal feeds into Blackbaud. Since they are iCal feeds from Google Calendar, they are updated in Blackbaud as well.

Brad D'Hondt

@Nick Marchese
Unfortunately, the other software doesn't support exporting iCal feeds. We are trying to sync our facility booking software with the calendar on our internal portal in Blackbaud. Not all bookings need to appear on our internal portal in Blackbaud (external rentals, etc.), so we are looking to have a “flag” in the facility booking software if it should appear into Blackbaud and then API sync them into the appropriate calendar in Blackbaud using another field to indicate which calendar they should go into (IE. Arts, School Holidays, Athletics, etc.).

Lauren Henderson

@Brad DHondt Just out of curiosity, what Facility booking software are you using? We're trying to solve a similar issue but have gone with an in-product solution recommended by another school. It still leaves a lot to be desired, but should provide the basic information we need. I'm definitely open to other ideas/options.

Brad D'Hondt

@Lauren Henderson
We are currently using Accruent EMS for facility bookings, but note there is no direct tie in at all. We were going to code/write the API tie in ourselves to Blackbaud to make this happen using custom fields in the Accruent EMS to accomplish it. Unfortunately, the API doesn't exist yet on Blackbaud's end so this isn't possible.