Date: September, 2017
Technologies: C#.Net, Windows Service, IIS, MSSQL, PowerSchool API
Finger Scanning Technology Firm Requires Seamless Integration with PowerSchool Student Information System (SIS)
Build a Best Practice Solutions Utilizing the PowerSchool API, .NET Web Services, and Windows Times Services
- Custom PowerSchool plugin that created data entry fields and exposed custom endpoints via PowerQueries.
- .NET Web Service that listened for a message from the finger scanner.
- A Windows Service that runs every minute to look for all student check-ins, matches against the current school roster, and writes attendance via the PowerSchool API for tardy or absent students.
- A MSSQL database to store all of the records.
- XML based log records to review scan times for troubleshooting purposes.
This solution required multi members of our team. We engaged our PowerSchool SIS specialist to develop the plugin to access the specific data we need and write attendance information via the API. Our .NET development team creates the services required, and our Database specialists setup and optimize the database schema.
Integrate PowerSchool SIS with Custom Application to Provide a Seamless User Experience
- Current Class Roster Information.
- Daily Bell Schedule.
- Attendance codes to be written based on late time.
With this information, our C#.NET software developer was able to write a windows service that accessed this data on a daily basis. He also developed a web service that the identiMetrics team can utilize to write the scan location and student identifier so we know exactly when a student enters a classroom. Combining this data, we are able to determine which attendance code, if any, we should write to PowerSchool SIS.
After rigorous testing, our team released the first version to a school district that went live with the scanning technology. We supported the install of the application and verified the solution integrated with their student information system successfully.
Integrate Solution Removes Barriers For Indentimetrics Technology so they can more easily grow their business.
In addition, the integrated API solution wrote negative attendance, as opposed to the previous solution, which provided positive attendance. This means that users could configure PowerSchool SIS as designed, and not have to change their attendance tracking if they wanted to use the identiMetrics solution.
Identimetics has been able to take this solution and lead to an increase in sales, and more interest in the product. And they continue to engage with our team to build more features, and provide even better solutions for schools districts across the country.
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