Integration Using Web Services

GyrusAim is the only LMS that was designed from the beginning to use web services exclusively for easy integration.  This flexibility makes GyrusAim a uniquely flexible product that makes it strongly interoperable with other applications such as HR systems, ERP, applications and web sites.  GyrusAim’s 175 web services were built in from the beginning product design.

The beauty of a web service design is that the services can be opened up to other applications that need to interface with the LMS.

Other applications can use the web services to:

• Update competency requirements
• Retrieve training metrics
• Update employee information
• Retrieve training schedules

These can be embedded in those applications, shown on web portals, or used to update the GyrusAim database with the applied business rules. We have extensive experience integrating web services and providing cross-system interoperability that GyrusAim provides.

What are web services?

Web services are a natural evolution of the Internet. Where the Internet was initially a visual tool used to deliver content, web services are transactional, cross application tools using common standards and common protocols.  Each web service typically provides one function, although web service functions can be rather complex and involved.

Why are they important?

Web services allow different applications using different technologies to communicate without the need for expensive custom coding.  All web services communications use XML, an open-standard protocol.  Web services are generic and not specific to any programming language, hardware or operating system. This means that a Java application using Oracle can communicate with a Windows application using SQL Server.

Advantages of using Web Services

Web services provide interoperability between different software applications so that an HRIS or ERP can communicate with your Learning Management System, even though they may be developed in two different environments using different database systems.  The standards and protocols are open and common. Protocols and data formats are typically text-based which makes it easy for technologists to use and understand. 

Using HTTP means that web services can easily work with common firewall security environments.  Web services provide for various software applications from different companies to be combined to provide an integrated portal.

How are they used in LMS?

For day-to-day use, only a handful of business applications touch as many employees on a consistent basis as learning management does.  That means that almost all employees in every facet of the organization, using their specific applications, also interact with their learning management system.

With such a variety of applications, including accounting, customer relationship management, quality control, safety, sales, distribution, legal, and production, it is invaluable for your learning management system to have the flexibility to interact with each of these diverse applications. That is what web services can do for you.