Step by Step Guide to Building a UKG Pro API Integration in C#

Aug 11, 2024 • 8 minute read

Hey there, fellow developer! Ready to dive into the world of UKG Pro API integration? Let's roll up our sleeves and get coding. This guide will walk you through creating a robust C# integration with UKG Pro's API, perfect for streamlining your HR processes.

Introduction

UKG Pro's API is a powerhouse for accessing and manipulating HR data. Whether you're pulling employee info, managing time and attendance, or accessing payroll data, this integration will be your new best friend.

Prerequisites

Before we jump in, make sure you've got:

Visual Studio or your favorite C# IDE
.NET Core SDK (latest version)
UKG Pro API credentials (if you don't have these, time to sweet-talk your UKG Pro admin!)

Setting Up Your Dev Environment

First things first, let's get your project set up:

Fire up Visual Studio and create a new C# Console Application.

Install these NuGet packages:

Install-Package Newtonsoft.Json
Install-Package RestSharp

Authentication: The Key to the Kingdom

UKG Pro uses OAuth 2.0. Let's implement it:

public class UkgAuthenticator
{
    private string _clientId;
    private string _clientSecret;
    private string _tokenUrl;

    // Constructor and other methods...

    public async Task<string> GetAccessTokenAsync()
    {
        // Implement OAuth flow here
        // Don't forget to handle token refresh!
    }
}

Pro tip: Store your access token securely and implement a refresh mechanism. Your future self will thank you!

Making API Requests: The Heart of Your Integration

Create a base API client class:

public class UkgApiClient
{
    private readonly RestClient _client;
    private readonly UkgAuthenticator _authenticator;

    public UkgApiClient(string baseUrl, UkgAuthenticator authenticator)
    {
        _client = new RestClient(baseUrl);
        _authenticator = authenticator;
    }

    public async Task<T> SendRequestAsync<T>(RestRequest request)
    {
        var token = await _authenticator.GetAccessTokenAsync();
        request.AddHeader("Authorization", $"Bearer {token}");
        var response = await _client.ExecuteAsync<T>(request);
        // Handle errors, parse response, etc.
        return response.Data;
    }
}

Implementing Core API Functionalities

Now for the fun part! Let's implement some key functionalities:

public class EmployeeService
{
    private readonly UkgApiClient _apiClient;

    public EmployeeService(UkgApiClient apiClient)
    {
        _apiClient = apiClient;
    }

    public async Task<Employee> GetEmployeeAsync(string employeeId)
    {
        var request = new RestRequest($"employees/{employeeId}", Method.GET);
        return await _apiClient.SendRequestAsync<Employee>(request);
    }

    // Implement other methods for time, attendance, payroll, etc.
}

Error Handling and Logging: Because Things Happen

Wrap your API calls in try-catch blocks and log everything. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later when debugging:

try
{
    var employee = await _employeeService.GetEmployeeAsync("12345");
    _logger.LogInformation($"Retrieved employee: {employee.Name}");
}
catch (ApiException ex)
{
    _logger.LogError($"API error: {ex.Message}");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    _logger.LogError($"Unexpected error: {ex.Message}");
}

Data Parsing and Mapping: Making Sense of It All

Use Newtonsoft.Json to deserialize API responses:

public class Employee
{
    [JsonProperty("employee_id")]
    public string EmployeeId { get; set; }

    [JsonProperty("first_name")]
    public string FirstName { get; set; }

    // Other properties...
}

Rate Limiting and Throttling: Play Nice with the API

Implement exponential backoff to handle rate limits:

public async Task<T> SendRequestWithRetryAsync<T>(Func<Task<T>> action, int maxRetries = 3)
{
    for (int i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++)
    {
        try
        {
            return await action();
        }
        catch (RateLimitException)
        {
            if (i == maxRetries - 1) throw;
            await Task.Delay((int)Math.Pow(2, i) * 1000);
        }
    }
    throw new Exception("Max retries reached");
}

Testing Your Integration: Because We're Professionals

Write unit tests for your services and integration tests with mock data. Here's a quick example using xUnit:

public class EmployeeServiceTests
{
    [Fact]
    public async Task GetEmployeeAsync_ReturnsEmployee_WhenEmployeeExists()
    {
        // Arrange
        var mockApiClient = new Mock<UkgApiClient>();
        var employeeService = new EmployeeService(mockApiClient.Object);

        // Act
        var result = await employeeService.GetEmployeeAsync("12345");

        // Assert
        Assert.NotNull(result);
        Assert.Equal("12345", result.EmployeeId);
    }
}

Best Practices and Optimization

Implement caching for frequently accessed data.
Use asynchronous operations throughout your application.
Consider implementing a repository pattern for better separation of concerns.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a solid foundation for your UKG Pro API integration. Remember, this is just the beginning. Keep exploring the API documentation, and don't be afraid to push the boundaries of what you can do with this integration.

Additional Resources

Now go forth and integrate! Your HR department will love you for it. Happy coding!