Benefits of Utilizing APIs to Support Extra Duty Programs
What is an API and How Do They Work?
PowerDetails utilizes APIs, or Automated Programming Interfaces, to securely communicate or exchange data between software platforms which allows us to better serve our customers.
APIs allow PowerDetails to safely and securely exchange data between your agency’s existing systems and the PowerDetails platform. The use of APIs enhances the use of our platform and automates many of the processes that were previously completed manually.
At PowerDetails, efficiency is our top priority. Our goal is to reduce the workload for your administrative staff and increase the number of officers providing extra duty services to your community.
Benefits of an API
PowerDetails is designed to do the work for your organization and increase your agency’s overall efficiency.
Benefits include:
Schedule Verification - Exchanging scheduling information prevents users from double-booking themselves, can enforce fatigue prevention rules, and allows officers to work more details when on vacation leave.
Automated User Transfers - Ensuring new hires, promotions and terminations, along with any associated pay rate changes that are updated in your system, are automatically updated in the PowerDetails platform.
Payroll Integration - Safely and securely exchange information regarding the number of extra duty hours worked and personnel pay rates, to your agency payroll system to ensure officers are paid timely. PowerDetails has successfully integrated with SAP, ORACLE, ADP, MUNIS, ADG, JD EDWARDS, and PEOPLESOFT, as well as several other payroll systems.
Accounts Receivable (AR) Integration - Automating much of these processes saves an average of 4 hours of manual data entry per pay period and also reduces the number of errors generated by manual data entry. Reconciliation requires much less effort and improves results.
API Security
Particularly in public safety, the security of organizational data is of the utmost importance. PowerDetails understands the importance of security and utiizes a JSON Web API for our own organization as well as our customers.
This ensures data security during the information exchange process.
If your agency is not able to offer API-based connectivity, PowerDetails is able to develop scheduled processes for the exchange of data via CSV, XML, JSON, or Excel file.
PowerDetails API In Action
Many PowerDetails customers, both large and small agencies, utilize APIs to automate the exchange of data. Here are a few examples of current integrations:
Case Study A:
This large agency utilizes automated user transfers to integrate with the SAP system as the System of Record for user data. This ensures when a user is added or terminated, the information automatically flows to PowerDetails. This provides the agency data with instant access to PowerDetails, preventing duplicate data entry and allowing for instant removal of separated employees to prevent security breaches or policy violations.
Additionally, PowerDetails verifies employee schedules by querying their Kronos database preventing users from double booking themselves for details while on shift, or any leave which precludes them from working an extra duty job, such as FMLA. Schedule verification also helps to validate any fatigue prevention rules, such as limiting extra duty shift hours and mandatory rest periods.
Case Study B:
This smaller sized agency utilizes payroll integration to transfer data automatically. This reduces data entry time for the agency's limited staff and reduces errors. PowerDetails follows a strict workflow collecting data and then ensuring it is reviewed and approved prior to sending to the agency payroll system.
Case Study C:
This medium sized agency utilizes the AR integration to automate the billing process for extra duty employers. This type of integration sends all invoices to a 3rd party system allowing the jurisdiction to send invoices directly to employers through their finance department. Invoices can be easily paid and tracked in the PowerDetails system.
All of these integrations are available to increase the efficient use of your personnel and to streamline your agency’s entire extra duty program.
Contact us to learn more about how PowerDetails can utilize APIs to enhance your agency’s extra duty program.
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