SIMS Partners - is this a Capita Service ?

[ryan_lake]

Whilst searching for SIMS integration options I came across this website http://www.sims-partners.com . It’s seems to contain a huge set of detail on integrating to SIMS. Does anyone know if this is a legit Capita site? Seems like it too me.

[Edu-IT]

The domain is registered by Capita and uses their DNS, so it looks pretty legit to me.

[matt40k]

Guess @David_Grashoff would be the guy to ask..

 

I like how if you click on General Documentation > https://www.sims-partners.com/general-documentation

 

then click on "How to become a Techical Integrator" > "View document" - it says "You are not authorized to access this page."

 

 

and how on:

https://www.sims-partners.com/support

you've still got the default "Support text here" text

[tombry]

All the partner links are on a different site - not sure if it's a new thing, but the ones I have all are at the portal - https://partnermanagement.sims-partners.com/

[DPepper]

This is indeed a genuine Capita site and is part of the Capita approach to encourage integration with our Education Products. The site has been populated with integration information, worked examples and links to sample code. The content will continue to grow over times. The Technical Integrator Programme that underpins this is open to all levels of organisation from schools/colleges through to individual companies wishing to integrate through to larger integrators. Information on the technical Integrator programme can be found here https://www.capita-sims.co.uk/partner-with-us/becoming-a-sims-partner and Integration resources are available at site you first mentioned https://www.sims-partners.com. If you want to find out more free to look at the sites or make contact to ask more.

 

Darren - Head of SIMS ID & Technical Integrator Programme

Edited February 25, 2019 by DPepper

[matt40k]

Will you be making a PowerBI connector?

[DPepper]

The role of the Technical Integrator Programme is to empower other integrators to extract data from Capita Products and write data back to these products simply. Some integrators have used this route to extract data for analytical purposes by feeding it into systems such as Power BI or similar. Capita is looking at ways that we can simplify this further for all integrators and future customer solutions. If you are keen to use Power BI you may want to see what is available through the Technical Integrator Programme or contact the Technical Partner team.

[matt40k]

Darren, if Capita is serious about PowerBI integration, you need to create a connector. This will allow schools to go - PowerBI > Get Data > SIMS > Enter connection details \ auth > pick data.

 

No third party can do this. Microsoft only accepts connector submissions from the application owner - ie Capita. This is to stop confusion when you have multi connectors for the same thing. Happy to recommend someone who can do this for you, but I'm afraid they don't work for exposure.

 

Update: Just to confirm the "Capita must create it, not a third party":

Certification Requirements

 

Before starting

 

 

• Developer must own the data source or have recorded permission from the owner of the data source to develop a connector for it.
  

 

from: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-query/connectorcertification?branch=master

Edited February 25, 2019 by matt40k

[emmaburt26]

I've just spotted this thread and wondered if it ever progressed any further with integration, we're just looking at the command report utility and export for use with powerBi but if there's a better way .....?