Overview
For an outbound Enterprise Interface Builder (EIB) in Workday, the option that uses a Workday-delivered transformation to output a format other than Workday XML is Alternate Output Format. This allows you to select formats like CSV, which Workday handles without needing custom coding.
How It Works
When setting up an outbound EIB, you can use a custom report as the data source. By choosing an alternate output format, such as CSV, Workday automatically transforms the data into that format. This is surprising because it simplifies the process, requiring no additional user effort for transformation.
Why Not the Others?
XSL Attachment Transformation (B): This requires you to provide your own XSL file, making it a custom transformation, not delivered by Workday.
Custom Transformation (C): This is clearly user-defined, not Workday-delivered.
Custom Report Transformation (D): This also involves user customization, typically through XSL, and isn't a pre-built Workday option.
Comprehensive Analysis
This section provides a detailed examination of Workday's Enterprise Interface Builder (EIB) transformation options, focusing on outbound integrations and the specific question of identifying the option that uses a Workday-delivered transformation to output a format other than Workday XML. We will explore the functionality, configuration, and implications of each option, ensuring a thorough understanding based on available documentation and resources.
Understanding Workday EIB and Outbound Integrations
Workday EIB is a no-code, graphical interface tool designed for both inbound and outbound integrations, facilitating the exchange of data between Workday and external systems. For outbound EIBs, the process involves extracting data from Workday (typically via a custom report) and delivering it to an external endpoint, such as via SFTP, email, or other protocols. The integration process consists of three key steps: Get Data, Transform, and Deliver.
Get Data: Specifies the data source, often a Workday custom report, which must be web service-enabled for EIB use.
Transform: Optionally transforms the data into a format suitable for the external system, using various transformation types.
Deliver: Defines the method and destination for sending the transformed data.
The question focuses on the Transform step, seeking an option that uses a Workday-delivered transformation to output a format other than Workday XML, which is typically the default format for Workday data exchanges.
Analyzing the Options
Let's evaluate each option provided in the question to determine which fits the criteria:
Alternate Output Format (A)
Description: This option is available when configuring the Get Data step, specifically when using a custom report as the data source. It allows selecting an alternate output format, such as CSV, Excel, or other supported formats, instead of the default Workday XML.
Functionality: When selected, Workday handles the transformation of the report data into the chosen format. For example, setting the alternate output format to CSV means the EIB will deliver a CSV file, and this transformation is performed by Workday without requiring the user to define additional transformation logic.
Workday-Delivered: Yes, as the transformation to the alternate format (e.g., CSV) is part of Workday's report generation capabilities, not requiring custom coding or user-provided files.
Output Format Other Than Workday XML: Yes, formats like CSV are distinct from Workday XML, fulfilling the requirement.
From resources like Workday HCM features | Workday EIB, it's noted that custom reports can use CSV as an alternate output format, and this is managed by Workday, supporting our conclusion.
XSL Attachment Transformation (B)
Description: This involves attaching an XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language) file to the EIB for transforming the data, typically from XML to another format like CSV or a custom structure.
Functionality: The user must create or provide the XSL file, which defines how the data is transformed. This is used in the Transform step to manipulate the XML output from the Get Data step.
Workday-Delivered: No, as the XSL file is custom-created by the user. Resources like r/workday on Reddit: EIB xslt Transformation discuss users working on XSL transformations, indicating they are user-defined, not pre-built by Workday.
Output Format Other Than Workday XML: Yes, it can output formats like CSV, but it's not Workday-delivered, so it doesn't meet the criteria.
Custom Transformation (C)
Description: This option allows users to define their own transformation logic, often through scripting or other custom methods, to convert the data into the desired format.
Functionality: It is a user-defined transformation, typically used for complex scenarios where standard options are insufficient.
Workday-Delivered: No, as it explicitly states "custom," meaning it's not provided by Workday.
Output Format Other Than Workday XML: Yes, it can output various formats, but again, it's not Workday-delivered, so it doesn't fit.
Custom Report Transformation (D)
Description: This might refer to transformations specifically related to custom reports, potentially involving user-defined logic to manipulate the report data.
Functionality: From resources like Spark Databox - using custom report transformation, it involves using custom XSL transformations, indicating user involvement. It seems to be a subset of custom transformations, focusing on report data.
Workday-Delivered: No, as it involves custom XSL, which is user-provided, not pre-built by Workday.
Output Format Other Than Workday XML: Yes, it can output formats like pipe-delimited files, but it's not Workday-delivered, so it doesn't meet the criteria.
