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      Pantrysoft Data Integrations (SSO, Flat-File Exchange)- Basic Explanation

      Pantrysoft offers two integration services— Single Sign On (SSO) and an ERP-derived Flat-File Integration— to help manage student authentication and streamline the student registration process.

      1. What is SSO?

      SSO (Single Sign-On) is a feature that allows students to use one set of login credentials across multiple online campus services. Instead of creating a new username and password for PantrySoft, students can log in using their existing campus credentials.

      How it Works: When a student attempts to access the PantrySoft Client Portal, SSO directs them to your campus’s authentication service (such as Azure AD or Shibboleth). Once authenticated, the student is automatically logged into PantrySoft.

      2. What is a Flat-File Integration?

      The Flat-File Integration in PantrySoft is a powerful feature that provides two primary functions:

      • Acting as a precise Eligibility check (Allow-List): This function ensures that only students listed in a specified file can access pantry services. The file is typically maintained in a .csv format refreshed nightly by your campus's ERP system. This allows you to precisely define an "eligible student" and run that criteria against the student body nightly. 

      • Auto-Filling Custom Questions: The Flat-File Integration can also auto-fill custom questions during the student registration or intake process using data derived from your campus ERP system. This feature not only speeds up student registrations but also suggests that the answers provided align with the campus systems' data, reducing the need for manual entry and minimizing errors.

      How it Works:

      • Eligibility (Allow-List) Function: Admins can manually upload a .csv file containing student details such as Student ID (SID) and email. This list determines who can register or log in to PantrySoft. Alternatively, if your campus uses an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system like Banner, we can work with your IT department to arrange for this file to be shared automatically via a shared secure online storage location.

      • Auto-Fill Function: The same flat file can be used to auto-fill custom questions on students' inaugural Registration page. For example, if your registration form asks for a student’s major or enrollment status, this data can be pulled directly from the ERP records and auto-fill the field, encouraging consistency and accuracy.

      3. How Does the Flat-File Integration Affect Users?

      For Online Portal Users:

      • Online Portal Logins: Optionally, pantry admins can require that students attempting to log in will have their login details (SID and email) checked against the flat-file in its capacity as an allow-list. If their details don’t match an entry on the list, they will be told they are unable to access the online portal at this time, and to see a pantry administrator.

      • Inaugural Registrations: Optionally, pantry admins can identify data points inside the .csv file that will auto-fill matching fields on the students' very first registration. These answers will not be "locked in," and students are free to override them. But this feature can speed up the process and suggest a consistency between the students' Pantrysoft records and their campus records.

      • Returning Users: Returning users’ details are checked against the current eligibility allow-list each time they log in. If their details are no longer on the list, their login will be denied.

      For In-Person Registration (Kiosk/Dashboard):

      • New Registrations: Optionally, admins can require that staff members attempting to register a new student will be blocked from doing so if the student isn’t on the eligibility allow-list.

      • Eligibility Verification: With the Eligibility feature activated, staff members pulling up a student record in the Admin Dashboard interface will see a visual indicator that the student is eligible or not.

      4. Initial Setup/ Initial Meeting

      The first step to providing you with one or more of the integrations you've purchased is an initial meeting with the following campus representatives all present:

      • Pantry Ops person. Pantry Operations representative.
      • SSO IT person. IT representative with auth/ SSO expertise.
      • ERP IT person. IT representative with campus ERP/ CRM expertise.

      Your Customer Success liaison from Pantrysoft will introduce the meeting, and then the Data Integrations representative from Pantrysoft will conduct the bulk of the meeting.

      The meeting will have four basic components:

      • Intro. An introduction from the Pantrysoft Customer Success Representative
      • Explanation Presentation. A presentation from the Pantrysoft Data Integrations representative explaining the integration offerings to the pantry operations people.
      • Query Interest from Pantry Ops. A brief Q&A with the pantry operations people about their interest in these features.
      • Consultation with Campus IT. A consultation with the IT folks about the feasibility of those interests, as well as a general Q&A about technical details.

      5. Technical Setup Process

      After the meeting, our PantrySoft development team will collaborate with your campus IT department (usually via email) to ensure a seamless setup.

      Securing Permissions:

      • In an initial setup meeting we'll identify the data points pantry admins would like to secure for the SSO and/or the flat-file features. With feedback from the appropriate campus teams, we'll work together to design an integration process that maintains data security and a streamlined pantry intake process.

      Setting Up SSO:

      • We’ll integrate PantrySoft with your existing SSO service, such as Azure AD, using the SAML 2.0 protocol.
      • This process involves coordinating with your IT team to establish secure connections and ensure smooth operation.

      Setting Up the Flat-File Integration:

      • For automated updates, your IT team will configure the ERP system to generate a report of eligible students and deliver it nightly to a secure AWS bucket.
      • On our end, we'll set up PantrySoft to digest this file nightly, ensuring your eligibility allow-list and auto-fill functions are always up to date without requiring manual intervention.

      6. Technical Specifications

      For more detailed information on the technical aspects of setting up these integrations, we recommend checking out our in-depth technical integration article. This resource will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the setup process for these features.

      7. Get Started Today

      Ready to implement these features or have questions? Our team is here to assist you. Contact us to learn more and ensure your pantry is operating at its best.