3rd Party Integrations & Authentication

 

Please also refer to the Information For College IT departments


3rd Party Integrations

Meeting Recordings

To access the recording or presentation from 3rd Party Integrations Overview Meeting held Thursday, October 7, see 3rd Party Integrations Overview Meeting page.

3rd Party Integrations Form

How to fill out the Integrations Form

Due October 29

Submitting the 3rd Party Integrations Form

Please submit the form on Basecamp in the Docs & Files section, in the 3rd Party Integrations Form spreadsheet - completed folder.

Too Long, Didn’t Read (TL, DR): Tips from the Systems, Analytics and Data (SAD) Subcommittee!

The SAD Subcommittee has created a tip sheet to help with the 3rd Party Integrations Form. The file below called, TLDR-3rd Party Integrations-EDITED Oct18, includes a new column with additional tips. Please use the file above for your submission, but check out the document below for helpful hints.

Ex Libris Secure FTP Service

Configuring Ex Libris Secure FTP Service

Ex Libris provides out-of-the-box FTP servers using Ex Libris Secure FTP service for file transfer between Alma and external systems. This is an alternative to using institution's own FTP solutions, the option that remains available (see Configuring S/FTP Connections).

Limitations:

  • Max 1GB for the directory

  • Data retention period - 30 days

Authentication

Authentication Form

Authentication Information

How does Alma authenticate patrons (read entire page for a complete overview)

https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Product_Materials/050Alma_FAQs/User_Management/Authentication

Overview of user management in Alma

https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/alma/integrations/user-management

Supported schema

https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/alma/integrations/user-management/authentication

Next steps for libraries:

a) Determine matching ID
Libraries should meet meet with campus IT staff to discuss any questions and identify a unique attribute needed for Alma authorization. Suggested attendees:

  • Library contact: library person who knows the unique IDs stored in the ILS 

  • Server administrator contact: campus IT staff responsible for authentication (will know unique identifiers)

  • User management administration contact: campus IT person who will code the patron extracts from the Student Information System (SIS) and the Staff Information/HR System (SIS) as the patron update will need to send the unique ID to Alma via the patron update process

b) Complete the Authentication form

  • General tab: see a) for descriptions of the contacts

  • Authentication system tab:  Complete one for each system which must be connected.  Tabs may be duplicated.

  • Return completed form to Onboarding Manager (related support case to be opened during Implementation phase)

c) Timeline (for campus IT planning)
Authentication configuration will occur during the implementation phase after production environment delivery of the test load.  Patron extracts/updates (SIS) should be tested during authorization stage of authentication.  

Training Videos

LDAP Authentication - 3 min

SAML-Based User Authentication - 3 min

Student/Staff Information Systems (SIS) Extracts - Patron Updates

For campus IT unit responsible for patron extracts:

a) Overview of user management in Alma
https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/alma/integrations/user-management

b) Details on SIS integration (extract, xml build)
https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/alma/integrations/user-management/sis/synch

c) Data dictionary (xsd for version 2)
https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/alma/apis/xsd/rest_user.xsd?tags=SIS
Note: User group code definitions come from your site's current ILS, rather than those listed in the xsd link above.  "Mandatory" fields are marked.

SIS Loader PPT Sample Files

Alma setup (for library systems staff):

a) Configuring patron update configuration in Alma
Student Information Systems as well as a training video

Presentation on patron management/SIS in Alma