Overview of Pressero Integration Approaches

Automated Workflow Integrator (AWI)

AWI is a desktop application (Windows, Mac, Linux) that automates the transfer of Pressero orders into your back-end production process using hot folders. AWI eliminates the need to manually download and sort orders. AWI can create "control files," which are often JDF- or XML-based, containing key metadata about the job that the system publishing the hot folder can read. Click here for more information. 

API 

An API is a way for an external program to create, read, update, and delete underlying data in Pressero. It only touches "data at rest." It cannot introduce new capabilities into Pressero. A helpful way to think of the API is that it can automate things a user might do in the Pressero admin or storefront. The API approach is called REST and it supports both JSON and XML data formats. Earlier versions of Pressero used an approach called SOAP. Click here for more information. 

cXML Punchout 

cXML Punchout is a way to integrate a Pressero storefront with a print buyer’s procurement system such as Coupa or Oracle. In cXML, the user starts inside the procurement system. Using cXML, the procurement system creates a shopping cart session in Pressero for the user, then bounces the user over to the Pressero site. The user does not need to log in, as the procurement system has negotiated the login via cXML. After the user checks out, the user is bounced back to the procurement system and the order is marked as an estimate request. At a later point, the procurement system will tell the Pressero site to either cancel the order or change its status from Estimate to being an actual Order. Note that cXML Punchout is a subset of a much larger cXML standard that defines data structures and data flows. Click here for more information. 

cXML Listener URL 

In site settings, Pressero provides the option to POST (send) a summary of the order placed to an external URL. This summary is sent in cXML data structure format. This method is used for some MIS integrations. This should not be confused with cXML Punchout. Click here for more information. 

SSO (Single Sign On)

This doesn't refer to a specific technology; it refers to a variety of ways to avoid having the user maintain a separate login on their Pressero site. The user should be passed over to the Pressero site and automatically logged in, or a user logging into Pressero should be authenticated against an external source in some manner. SAML and oAUTH are the strongly preferred SSO options.

• SAML - A SSO method typically used by enterprise applications. Using SAML, Pressero can securely authenticate against an external source. Pressero has implemented multiple standard SAML services (Azure, Okta, OneLogin, PingOne, Salesforce) and provides the ability, through the admin, to create custom SAML connections. With SAML the user does not need to maintain a user profile on Pressero; however, a user profile is created within Pressero automatically to support the SAML authentication. SAML may be used with customer-owned Windows Servers (Active Directory). Click here for more information. 

• oAUTH - A SSO method typically used by consumer web applications, such as Facebook. Using oAUTH, Pressero can securely authenticate against an external source. Pressero has implemented three oAUTH SSO methods. Facebook, Twitter, and Google are the three methods supported. Methods outside these three are not supported. With oAUTH the user does not need to maintain a user profile on Pressero; however, a user profile is created within Pressero automatically to support the oAUTH authentication. Because they are the only three methods supported, it is better to think of this as “Login via Facebook, Twitter, or Google” rather than specifically mentioning oAUTH. Click here for more information. 

OpenFrame 

OpenFrame is a mechanism to display content via an iFrame from a third-party website as the product page, or as the second step after product page but before the shopping cart page. OpenFrame also includes a list of standard parameters used to pass important information between Pressero and the third-party website, such as price or quantity. OpenFrame can be useful to allow other companies to integrate various “product configurators” into Pressero without needing Aleyant staff to be involved. Click here for more information.

Custom Skinning 

Custom Skinning is for customers requiring a unique design for their b2b or b2c websites. Pressero allows a web designer/developer to create custom html, css, and javascript that can change the appearance of the Pressero website. It is important to note that custom skinning cannot create new capabilities in Pressero. For example, Pressero currently does not have a “wish list” function built in. A custom skin would not be able to add this capability. Conversely, adding tabs is simply a change in how content is displayed and is possible with custom skinning. Another example would be adding a facebook feed via js code would be possible. A large and ongoing challenge with custom skinning is that the custom html, css, and js may need to change as Pressero code evolves in response to new features or changes in Internet coding best practices. Click here for more information.

External Pricing 

A common complaint among Pressero subscribers is that they need to maintain pricing in two locations; once inside Pressero and secondly in an external system, such as an MIS. External pricing solves this problem by creating a standard way for Pressero to “ask” for pricing from an external system. External pricing does not work with all third-party systems. The external system needs to create an API that is compliant with Pressero’s specifications. Click here for more information. 

Zapier

Zapier is an online automation tool that connects your favorite apps, such as Gmail, Slack, MailChimp, and over 750 more. You can connect two or more apps to automate repetitive tasks without coding or relying on developers to build the integration. Move info between your web apps automatically, so you can focus on your most important work. Click here for more information.