Well, it’s time to just come right out and admit it.
And honestly, we’re proud of it.
Here at N2N, we really are a bunch of nerds.
But not just any nerds. We’re technology integration nerds – passionate to the point of obsession about the latest and greatest in integration technology.
We’re technology integration evangelists.
So when people ask us what all the buzz about technology integration is, we’re more than happy to explain.
It’s an unfamiliar concept to many, and it’s a side of tech that’s not as flashy as the latest AI development or VR use case…but it’s something that can totally rock your world once you get it.
At N2N, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind API Management Platform, called Illuminate, that enables users to integrate their organization’s apps, systems, databases, and programs easily and quickly, without any coding involved.
Plenty of people don’t even realize they need something like this, and don’t see how it could make a difference in their businesses. Many don’t quite understand what it is or how it works, and figure it’s probably just way too complex to mess with. And some just don’t see how it would fit into their current business ecosystem, or assume it must be prohibitively expensive.
That’s fine – in fact, that’s great! Because we here at N2N love nothing more than educating people about technology integration, and sharing our passion and excitement for this admittedly very nerdy niche.
So let’s go through and address each of these objections or stumbling blocks to technology integration. We promise – after a few minutes, our excitement will be contagious.
1 – What is an API Management Platform, and how does it work?
First of all, let’s talk about APIs. An API is sort of like the translation device in your favorite science fiction series – hook two different programs up together with an API, and suddenly, they can communicate!
An API Management Platform is a program that enables people to build their own customized APIs to connect all of their unique systems, databases, and apps to each other, so they can all communicate with each other.
Usually, it takes programmers weeks to write custom code to create APIs. But the cool thing about our Illuminate platform is that we’ve created a set of API building blocks that can be snapped together literally in minutes by a layman to fit any technology integration need. And we even developed a wizard to guide you through the whole process.
Illuminate is pretty much the opposite of complex – it’s a simple, elegant tool for simplifying technology integration at your organization.
2 – Why do I need an API Management Platform, and how can it help my business?
Ah, this is the million dollar question! Integration equals efficiency, productivity, accuracy. Integration saves time and money, and frees up resources. If you’ve got anyone on your team doing any kind of manual data entry, or having to cross-reference data from different databases, you’ll benefit from the technology integration that an API Management Platform makes possible.
Of course, you could just hire an expensive team of developers to custom code those APIs for you over the next month or so…or you could do it yourself in a few minutes, and save your business the time, money, and hassle.
An API Management Platform also prepares your business for the future. By making the integration of new apps into your systems simple and quick, it gives you the freedom you to try out new programs and take advantage of innovations – in other words, it creates radical agility.
3 – How can I fit an API Management Platform affordably into my current business ecosystem?
With Illuminate, you don’t even have to worry about the initial set-up – because it’s got the amazing customer service of N2N behind it. We can handle every aspect of the set-up for you, and make sure you’re over-the-top happy with everything before we leave you to it. And even then, we haven’t really left – you can always give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help with any questions.
As for price? We’ve got your back. We have different tiers of pricing based on usage, so there’s a level for your business, no matter where you are right now. And every one of those tiers is less expensive than hiring those programmers, or even asking your own IT team to dedicate all those weeks to coding APIs from scratch.
So, what’s holding you back when it comes to technology integration? API Management Platforms are truly simple, straightforward tools that can not only save your business money – they provide you with the flexibility to take advantage of the new opportunities waiting just ahead.Contact N2N today for more information.
Which factors did you consider when buying your current car?
How about your phone, or any other tech gadget you recently purchased?
Or maybe even a major appliance, like a washer, dryer, or refrigerator?
You probably thought about the trustworthiness of the brand…its reputation for quality products and great customer service…and whether it’s received any recognition in the form of awards or publicity, right?
And then of course, you considered the product itself. Did it have all the features you needed? Were there any benefits to this product over and above other, similar products out there? And how did the cost fit into your budget?
So right now, you’re looking for a solution that will help your institution easily integrate student data feeds with your SIS – and ensure that no duplicate records are created in the process.
And you’re posing the same questions. Which company is the best choice? Which product will meet our needs, and then some? And which solution will fit our budget?
At N2N, we know there are other companies that offer solutions similar to ours. But we also know that, when you take a look at our company and our products, you’ll find that N2N, Illuminate, and IDMatch are head and shoulders above the rest. Here’s why.
The IDMatch edge? A focus on automation.
At N2N, we know that the whole purpose of implementing a solution like IDMatch is to free up your institution’s resources for more important matters than manually managing data. That’s why our focus is on automating the process of scanning for duplicates and integrating data.
Other solutions may give you a little more flexibility on the user end – for example, the ability to manipulate incoming data. We’re more interested in the back-end details, getting your customized set-up right so that you don’t have to manipulate that data, and instead, can trust IDMatch to catch duplicates and then send them your way for a quick check before integration.
Are you willing to trade speed and accuracy for a little more flexibility? We’re not.
The Illuminate edge? A focus on integration.
IDMatch doesn’t stand alone. It’s an add-on module to ouraward-winning API Management Platform, Illuminate. And once again, our focus here is on creating the most elegant solution possible to the problem of integrating disparate systems and apps.
Manually integrating your SIS with every new app your institution decides to use is a waste of resources, plain and simple. Illuminate allows you to fully integrate each program and app you use with all your other programs and apps in minutes, without complex coding.
We’re not some huge corporation. We’re a startup. Amultiple award-winning, hundreds of customers-serving startup, but a startup nonetheless. We still hustle. We still care. And what we care about most is surprising our customers with just how far we’ll go to make them over-the-top ecstatic about our products and service.
We work closely with our clients to ensure our products do exactly what they need them to do. We gladly help with any special requests or questions. In fact, more often than not, our client-vendor relationships end up turning into real friendships.
And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
So if you’re looking for a solution that will suit your unique data management needs, accomplish what you need it to, and then some, and provide you with customer service like you wouldn’t believe,give N2N a call today. We can’t wait to meet you.
Working in college admissions is a lot like that Daft Punk song “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.”
(With significantly fewer robot voices involved, of course.)
(Unless someone in your department has one of those voice changer toys in his desk drawer, and a lot of free time on his hands…)
(But we digress.)
The goal of Admissions is always to become better, faster, more accurate – to gain that edge.
So integrating your department’s software with your institution’s SIS just makes sense.
And if you’re specifically trying to integrate Slate with Banner, then you’re in luck! Google “integrate Slate with Banner” and you’ll find guides galore, pages describing the existing integration options Slate boasts, and even PowerPoints from conferences giving step-by-step instructions for the integration process.
The common theme in all of these resources?
Don’t panic. It seems complicated, but if you keep things simple and only focus on a few really important areas, it’ll be okay.
And sure, it’s nice that they’re trying to reassure you and all, but it also makes you wonder…is it really that simple, if they have to tell you to calm down?
Here at N2N, we’re not going to tell you to calm down.
We don’t need to, because our Illuminate platform, and its add-on module IDMatch, make integrating Slate with Banner truly simple.
Intuitive, even.
With Illuminate and IDMatch, you don’t have to “only focus on a few areas,” or “keep it simple.”
You can fully integrate all the data from Slate into Banner on an ongoing basis, and not only that – you can be absolutely sure that no duplicate records are ever created during the process. You can even customize the types of data you want to filter incoming data by, in order to make absolutely sure no duplicates slip through the cracks.
All as easy as 1, 2, 3.
In fact, implementation is so simple that you don’t even need programmers to handle it. Illuminate’s intuitive wizard-like interfaces guide even laymen through the process with ease, and the N2N team is always available to help with any special needs or questions that may arise.
Illuminate is a turnkey API management platform that can be used for integrations of all types, and for institutions of any size. It allows users to easily connect their SIS and ERP systems, whether on-premise, hosted, or in the cloud, to any other system or vendor requiring real-time or scheduled data synchronization, and is one of the few platforms available that does not require complex programming to create APIs.
IDMatch is a fully-customizable, turnkey, automated add-on module for Illuminate that enables higher ed institutions to check student applications (or any other student data feed) against existing student records, in order to eliminate duplicates and filter based on the data of their choosing, and then integrate into their SIS.
Together, these tools are a powerful solution for admissions departments looking for that edge.
Here’s what a typical day with IDMatch and Illuminate might look like for your admissions department: You come into the office and log into IDMatch. Overnight, multiple student applications came through Slate and were instantly filtered by custom data fields you chose during IDMatch set-up, to check for duplicate records in Banner. You’ve got some records that need to be checked, so you quickly scan IDMatch’s color-coded data fields to verify whether those records are in fact duplicates, or not. You mark each accordingly, and then IDMatch and Illuminate handle the rest, integrating only accurate data into Banner and eliminating the confusion of duplicate records.
Simplicity? Check.
Automation? Check.
Accuracy? Check.
Speed? Check.
Peace of mind? Check.
Better? Faster? Stronger? You’d better believe it.
So if you’re ready to give your admissions department an edge, then give N2N a call today. We can answer any questions you may have, or even hook you up with a free demo. We may need to calm you down afterwards – but only because you’ll be so excited about using Illuminate and IDMatch at your institution.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how worried are you about the imminent rise of robot overlords?
If you’re at a 9 or a 10, then you may not want to read this blog post. In fact, you may actually want to take up yoga, or maybe cut back on the caffeine or something.
But if you’re at 8 or below, then it should be safe to ask yourself the following questions:
First of all, how automated is the admissions process at your institution?
Are student applications uploaded directly into your systems without any interventions from staff? Are all of your databases and programs integrated in such a way that data flows between them without the need for manual transfers? Are there bottlenecks because certain steps in the process need to be done by a human – like comparing or verifying huge amounts of data?
And then secondly, how would you rate the quality of your institution’s data?
Do you know for a fact that there are no duplicate student records in your database? How much of an opening does your admissions process give human error to miss details or make mistakes? Do your current apps and systems have the ability to catch or prevent any such mistakes?
We’re not saying it’s time to surrender to the robots – but we are saying you need to take a good hard look at which parts of your admissions process are most efficiently handled by tech solutions, and which parts truly do require manual human involvement, and then adjust your admissions process accordingly.
Data quality is a crucial aspect of every facet of a higher ed institution’s functioning. But with the massive amounts of student data needing to be checked and processed on an ongoing basis, it would take a massive commitment of resources to handle it all manually. Automated solutions definitely speed up the admissions process, but without human involvement, they don’t have the capacity to prevent certain errors or duplicate records. And the various mash-ups of these two options that university IT departments often attempt simply end up slowing things down or causing more mistakes.
So what’s the answer? A tech solution that handles the time-consuming, nitty-gritty parts of the process, and then hands it off to your humans at critical junctions to make important judgements.
The answer is IDMatch.
IDMatch is a fully-customizable, turnkey, automated solution for higher ed institutions to check student applications against existing student records, in order to eliminate duplicates and filter based on the data of their choosing, and then integrate into their SIS.
Humans call the shots during the initial set-up, when the data fields that student applications will be filtered through are chosen based on an institution’s unique needs. Then IDMatch takes over, comparing new student data to existing student records in your systems, and creating lists of applicants who may be duplicates. At this point, humans take the wheel again, clicking through the intuitive interface to see whether they are in fact doubles or not, and making decisions about how to handle each case. Then, it’s back to IDMatch for the final integration into your SIS.
An add-on module to N2N’s Illuminate API Management Platform, IDMatch also brings with it the capability to seamlessly integrate all your data, in every app, system, and database, and automate its transfer between them.
So if you’re looking for a way to automate as much of the admissions process as possible, but get human eyes on the data to ensure quality – and do so without slowing things down or providing opportunities for mistakes to be made, then give us a call today. The robots are waiting.
Just kidding, just kidding – we humans at N2N would be happy to walk you through a free demo anytime.
See, Waubonsee plays an integral role in its community.
Located about 30 miles west of Chicago, it’s a learning hub for many students in the area, providing opportunities to fit just about any young adult’s educational and career goals.
Local high school students take dual credit classes through Waubonsee.
Some students use it as an affordable stepping stone to a 4-year degree.
Others get their Associate’s there and then dive headfirst into their careers.
And still others take a few classes for enrichment, continuing ed, or just for fun.
But a bustling community college means a bustling admissions department – and that’s where the trouble lay.
With so many students applying for different reasons and at different times in their school careers, the number of application submissions can get pretty overwhelming. To complicate matters further, students who took dual credit classes in high school often start the application process from scratch again if they want to take regular college classes at Waubonsee – even though they’re already in the database. And sometimes new students begin an online application, abandon it, and then start over a year or two later from scratch – once again creating multiple records in the database.
Waubonsee needed a way to ensure that, no matter what path a student took through the application process, only one record would be created for each student.
And that wasn’t all.
Illinois’s community college tuition rates are based on whether a student resides within a particular community college district or not. So Waubonsee needed a way to differentiate between student applications from their district, and those from different districts (none of which are based on ZIP codes) – without having to manually go through each one to check.
Together, these two challenges made for a situation that just wasn’t able to be effectively addressed without a tech solution.
Enter N2N’s Illuminate platform, and its innovative new add-on module, IDMatch.
Waubonsee partnered with N2N to automate the process, and hasn’t looked back since.
IDMatch is a fully-customizable, turnkey, automated solution for higher ed institutions to check student applications (or any other student data feed) against existing student records, in order to eliminate duplicates and filter based on the data of their choosing, and then integrate into their SIS.
We worked with Waubonsee to customize the data fields the community college needed to be able to check in order to ensure that no duplicate records were being produced, and students were being charged the correct tuition based on their district of residence.
It wasn’t simply a matter of First Name, Last Name, Social Security Number – this was a much more in-depth approach, including multiple variations and combinations of names and other personal student information in order to definitively prevent duplicate records. We created fields to match by the 1st 3 letters of the First Name and Date of Birth…First and Last Name reversed…Maiden Name and Date of Birth…Residence/District Codes…the list goes on and on.
Since the end of June 2018, when IDMatch was implemented, Waubonsee reports that 64% of student applications uploaded to their system turned out to have duplicate records already in the school database – and Illuminate and IDMatch caught them all, ensuring that no duplicates were created, and preventing confusion for hundreds of students.
64%! Just imagine how long it would have taken to check all those applications manually – and how often human error could have missed a duplicate here and there.
Betty Bechtold, Data Specialist at Waubonsee, shared the following:
“Our registration and records people were super nervous about starting to use IDMatch, but once we got it up and running, they were saying that they had lost all that sleep for nothing! It was a huge relief – beyond what we could have imagined!! We keep discovering little surprises where it goes above and beyond what we were expecting it to. IDMatch is pretty user-intuitive, and the people at N2N bend over backwards to make sure we’re happy with how it’s working. N2N has been so good at working with us to give us exactly what we wanted – the product itself is really, really good, and the customer service might even be better.”
Here at N2N, we’re honored to have the chance to work with schools like Waubonsee. If you’d like to find out how IDMatch can help your higher ed institution, contact us today.
ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a leading global provider of real-time electronic payment and banking solutions, today announced a strategic relationship with N2N Services, Inc., a leading platform provider for higher education systems integration. ACI will integrate its campus commerce system with N2N’s turnkey cloud integration platform, Illuminate, to improve students’ payment experiences. The need for higher education institutions to improve integration between payments and student information systems is highlighted by a recent Ovum survey, which showed that 88 percent of institutions had plans to do so in the next 12 months.
N2N’s Illuminate empowers its customers to create, manage, secure and monetize APIs, and build bridges between two APIs without any need for programming and additional infrastructure. With a network of more than 200 academic institutions, N2N is offering students and families the benefit of a comprehensive, simple payments experience with ACI’s campus commerce system. Through the N2N platform, higher education verticals will be able to connect their student information systems, including Ellucian™, Campus Management®, Peoplesoft® and Jenzabar® with ACI’s student payment portal and simplify payments while improving payments security. In addition, colleges and universities will be able to offer more ways to view and pay student bills, whether through modern mobile experiences, simplified account management or interest-free payment plans.
“We are committed to enabling enterprises of all sizes to participate, benefit from and compete in today’s digital economy enabled by APIs,” said Kiran Kodithala, CEO, N2N Services Inc. “Partnering with ACI on its solution for the higher education vertical will allow our customers to deliver more payment options to students and families, which will help reduce delinquent payments, make refunds easy and improve the overall payment experience. In the future, we hope to expand this program beyond higher education.”
“It’s neither easy nor convenient for students and parents to manage student payment accounts because they typically have to go through different websites to pay tuition bills in full, set up payment plans or resolve delinquent accounts,” said Andrew Sajeski, business leader, biller solutions, ACI Worldwide. “This partnership will deliver an innovative payment portal to all of the schools in N2N’s network and provide one place for payments, payment plans and delinquent collections.”
More than 300 higher education institutions trust ACI Worldwide for improving student satisfaction and payments security with its campus commerce systems. On average, higher education institutions report a 24 percent increase in student satisfaction after partnering with ACI Worldwide, according to independent third-party research.
Find the press release at https://www.aciworldwide.com/news-and-events/press-releases/2018/september/aci-worldwide-and-n2n-services-deliver-college-students-a-better-bill-payment-experience
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