Interface technologies for HR software

The integration of HR software through interface technologies is crucial to ensure seamless data exchange between different HR systems. Two basic approaches that are often differentiated in this context are file-based interfaces and web APIs. While file-based interfaces, such as CSV export, are based on the exchange of structured text files, modern web APIs rely on standardized protocols such as REST and SOAP to enable efficient, flexible and real-time communication between systems.

‍

1. CSV export (Comma-Separated Values):

 Explanation: CSV is a simple text file format in which data is separated by commas. This format is particularly suitable for abellary data as it is easy to read and can be processed in most applications.

Application in HR software: HR systems use CSV exports to extract data such as employee information, payslips or working time records. These exports can be easily opened and edited in spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.

‍

2. XML (Extensible Markup Language):

 Explanation: XML is a markup language for representing hierarchical structures in text form. It offers a flexible way of storing and transporting structured data.

Application in HR software: XML is often used in HR systems to represent data in a hierarchical structure. For example, employee data can be structured in XML files and exchanged between different systems.

‍

3. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation):

 Explanation: JSON is an easy-to-read data format based on JavaScript. It is particularly suitable for data exchange between servers and web applications.

Application in HR software: HR systems often use JSON to transfer data between different applications. JSON is easy to understand, compact and supports complex data structures, making it an efficient choice for data transfer.

‍

4. REST (Representational State Transfer):

 Explanation: REST is an architectural style for network applications based on the concept of resources. Using standardized HTTP methods, applications can access and interact with these resources.

Application in HR software: In HR systems, RESTful APIs enable the flexible transfer of data via the internet. For example, an HR system can retrieve, update or add employee data via a REST endpoint.

‍

5. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol):

 Explanation: SOAP is a protocol for structured communication between applications via the Internet. It defines standards for the formatting of messages in XML and their transmission via various protocols.

Application in HR software: HR systems can use SOAP to transmit complex requests and responses in a structured manner. This is particularly useful when large amounts of data need to be exchanged between different systems.

‍

6. web API (Application Programming Interface):

 Explanation: A web API defines interfaces via which applications can communicate with each other. Web APIs are often based on REST principles and enable data exchange via standardized HTTP methods.

Use in HR software: HR systems with web APIs offer modern and flexible integration. Developers can access functions and data via the API, which facilitates integration with other applications and services.

‍

Difference between file-based interfaces and web APIs:

File-based interfaces, such as CSV export, use structured text files to exchange data between systems. This method is simple and widely used, but is more suitable for periodic, batch-based transfers. In contrast, modern web APIs (REST, SOAP) offer real-time communication between systems via standardized protocols. Web APIs enable flexible, efficient and dynamic integration, allowing real-time data transfers and complex interactions between HR systems to be realized. The choice between these approaches depends on the specific requirements, the integration scenarios and the desired real-time capability. In addition, HR software providers are often still limited in terms of import and export options, meaning that file-based interfaces still dominate in many interface projects.

‍