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www.cpsiltd.com
CPSI, Ltd.
235 Southwoods Center
Columbia, IL 62236
[email protected]
618-281-8898
The xDListener- A Clever Approach to Enterprisewide Data Exchange in
Real Time
For over 30 years, school district IT staff have been using the tried and true method of batch file process
to move data from one application to another. Mostly these are scheduled jobs that run at night. If a file
transfer fails, the process is restarted for the following night. A sophisticated process can run on multiple
threads so that multiple file transfers can happen at once, but the data is still a snapshot in time that
does not include current data transactions.
Real-time solutions have been developed that meet the needs of K-12 education with various levels of
success. The Schools Interoperability Framework K-12 open standard is a good example of data
collection and transfer in real-time. However, each application needs a SIF agent and a Zone Integration
Server directs the data to the appropriate application. If your receiving application doesn’t have a SIF
agent, you are back to using a batch model.
CPSI offers a “blended” data collection solution for state education agencies and school districts that lets
your staff select the way they want to collect and transfer data using a tool called the xDListener. CPSI
has a suite of data collection tools that you can use to extract data from your student information
system, transform and validate the data you extracted, and pass the data to a consuming application in
real time. This process works with any or all education XML-based data standards and does not require
the use of a SIF agent but can work in concert with a specification of your choice.
Districts can now pass data to a receiving application in real time. Data that passes through the
xDListener is in XML format with the field name and payload. Only the data elements that need to be
consumed by the applications are passed to the subscribing application. The subscribing application
consumes the data in XML format. Neither the providing nor the subscribing application needs to have a
special web service created or additional code written for the process to work.
For example, many districts upload files via a batch mode on a nightly basis. Files have to be set up for
multiple schools; making on-the-fly changes cumbersome and time consuming. The xDListener is a
solution to the problem of juggling multiple batch files. The xDListener is installed in the same location
as the subscribing (or consuming) application. Your staff specifies the data to be consumed in the
xDListener. The data from the providing application is passed to the xDListener and kept in synch
through a queue so that data is not lost. As a result, changes to the data are created in real time with no
data loss.
Use Case Example: IlliniCloud and File Blimp
Illinois is one of many states where education funding is decline. In an effort to pool resources, school
districts have teamed up to share resources through an initiative called IlliniCloud. IlliniCloud allows
school districts to share applications, support services, hardware and other technology infrastructure
that most districts may not be able to afford on their own. These services are hosted on district-owned
hardware using district staff for support.
www.cpsiltd.com
CPSI, Ltd.
235 Southwoods Center
Columbia, IL 62236
[email protected]
618-281-8898
One of the services provided by IlliniCloud is FileBlimp, a virtual cloud storage solution for K-12. Each user
of the FileBlimp service can access their home directories from any internet connected device. IlliniCloud
hosts student data for a number of state districts. Data is published via a SIF agent to the IlliniCloud.
FileBlimp wants to consume data needed to create storage in real time.
Previously the districts were uploading files via a batch model on a nightly basis. Files had to be set up for
multiple schools in multiple district; making on-the-fly changes cumbersome and time consuming for
IlliniCloud staff. IlliniCloud implemented the xDListener as a solution to the problem of juggling multiple
batch files. Districts now pass data to FileBlimp in real time. The xDListener is installed in the same
location as FileBlimp. IlliniCloud staff specifies the data FileBlimp can consume and data is passed to the
application and keeps it in synch through a queue so that data is not lost. As a result, FileBlimp accounts
are now created in real time.