How do I set up automated data transfer from my Student Information System (SIS) to Via?

There are 2 different data integration methods that can be used to send data to Via from another system(s):

1. API or HTTPS
2. SFTP

Regardless of data integration method or user role, if data is synced from an outside source into Via, the fields will:

• always have data originating from the data source, or single source of truth
• always be locked and read-only
• never be editable, regardless if the field is blank or not
• appear with a 'sync' icon

To edit a synced field, the traveler or admin must go to the data source to edit the field there. 

API or HTTPS

API, or application programming interface, is a method that uses an online data feed to link the various systems. Here’s the process:

1. user logs in to Via using SSO
2. Via calls the API, or online data feed, to request the desired information for the user
3. the API returns the user’s requested desired information
4. Via processes the data and makes it available in the appropriate location(s) in Via

For IT professionals, please click here to access our API guide for more detailed IT information.

SFTP

SFTP, or secure file transfer process, often referred to as ‘flat file exchange,’ is a method that uses CSV files to transfer data from one system to another. 

1. User logs in to Via using SSO
2. Via receives the user’s unique ID from the SSO process
3. Via places a CSV request file for that user in a ‘requests’ folder on a Via SFTP server
4. Organization responds to the request by uploading a CSV response file and puts the CSV file in a response folder on a Via SFTP server
5. Via retrieves the response, processes the data, and adds the user data to the Via traveler profile
6. In addition, Via places a nightly file in the request folder, requesting user data for all active travelers in Via, using the same folders and process described above. This ensures current data in Via on a nightly basis.

For IT professionals, please click here to access our SFTP guide for more detailed IT information

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