## Endicott College Elevates Workday Operations with AMS Partnership from teamUpHR

An interesting presentation I saw on the most recent airing of "[The Sharing Show](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtkjrMxfE0I&ab_channel=TheSharingShow)" was on the topic of loading Budget Pools. This is accomplished with a custom report and an EIB Integration.

The **Enterprise Interface Builder (EIB)** integration is one way of importing or loading data into Workday®, without the need of extensive programming expertise. Other tools are also used to import data, including iLoad® (for Implementers) and other forms of inbound integrations. EIBs can also be purposed for export/outbound data.

[A basic EIB overview is here](http://community.workday.com/eib).

While Budget Pool imports are a bit unique, many other EIB templates ([examples](http://community.workday.com/eib-inbound-troubleshooting)) are available to load various data such as New Hires, Supervisory Organizations, Job Profiles, Cost Centers, etc. Using EIBs is a quick method of getting bulk data into Workday® but clients should not consider it “quick and easy”. EIBs are finicky, error messages are often cryptic, and many caveats need to be considered. Set up and usage for [EIBs can be found on Community here](http://doc.workday.com/reader/wsiU0cnNjCc_k7shLNxLEA/rCI~O6fkb8wYoLbvsJENcw).

### Pros

- Generate Template with Data: Some, but not all, EIB templates allow creation with existing WD data using filters.
- Spreadsheet “like” templates: Templates generated in XML or XLSX formats.
- Wide range of Web Services: HCM, Payroll, Absence, Staffing, Benefits, Recruiting…
- Loading to Business Processes: Hire, Create WD Account, Create Position, Change Job…; Automatic or Manual settings.
- Editable templates: Change Reference ID Type, Hide Columns, Override Values.
- Multiple data sources: Attachment, FTP/SSL, REST URL, & SFTP.
- Variety of Transformations: Template, ACH, XSLT & others.

### Cons

- Size limits: [Reference](http://doc.workday.com/reader/3DMnG~27o049IYFWETFtTQ/yzou_xqTtf2QnXnpA4B7jg)
- Cryptic error messaging: e.g. Validation error occurred. Invalid Subelement Auto\_Complete-urn:com.workday/bsvc for element [element name].
- Learning curve: It can be high and is dependent on the complexity of the EIB.
- Caveats: Processing parameters, BP Security, Rescind and Cancel loads, saving a template as XLS, over-writing existing templates.

### Reference IDs

Reference IDs are commonly used with EIB integrations. One task that clients should be familiar with is View Reference IDs:

Reference IDs enable users to configure exclusive identifiers. Business objects can have 1 + reference IDs. Reference IDs consist of a:

- Type: Classifies the business object.
- Value: Identifies the instance of a business object.

EIB templates use column labels of Reference ID Type, in conjunction with the Business Object UI labels. Here the difference is Cost Center vs. Organization\_Reference\_ID. The template column would be populated with the Reference ID Value. An error thrown in an EIB would use Reference ID Type usually. Viewing a template example, the Reference ID Type is shown in the Format row.

### Tips for working in Excel with EIB Templates

- Ensure the format is maintained, do not save the template as XLS.
- Use caution when using copy/paste, data can be corrupted.
- Create a naming sequence or convention for templates to avoid reloading an errored template.
- If an edited template is necessary, create a new EIB.
- Take note of “Required” versus “Optional” column labels.

### Executing EIBs Tips

- Always use a non-production tenant to do test loads.
- Use Validate Only first when in a production tenant.
- Automatic processing instruction bypasses notifications and approvals for BP EIBs.
- Create a proper security profile to use EIBs.
- Setup BP Security to be able to load & rescind loads.
- Use the Add Errors to Attachment option.
- The Process Monitor allows review of all EIB details, files, errors, messaging, etc.
- Be patient, your first attempt may not be successful.

[Contact us](/content/contact-us/index.html) for more information or support for EIBs and other Integration insights.