Engage has a very simple and streamlined technical implementation process. This article outlines each step that may need to be executed by a campus IT department to implement Engage.
- Configure Authentication
- Populate User Accounts
- Create a Vanity URL
- Set Up Card-Swiping
- Assign API Keys
Configure Authentication
Before the full implementation team can begin training on Engage, the technical team should first configure authentication integration. This is a necessary step before your Engage community can be built, as it will allow for accounts to be created and users to sign into the community using their campus credentials. Once this step is complete, the campus implementation team can proceed and begin training.
Populate User Accounts
We recommend that a campus complete at least one account import during implementation. While authentication allows accounts to be created as users sign in, an account import will pre-create accounts so that administrators can assign those accounts roles before the users have even signed in. Account imports also allow you to pre-populate the user's name, demographic, and enrollment details so that you can leverage this data across Engage and in reports.
Any campus can complete a manual user import up to three times a year to keep their records current. Check with your consultant on whether automated imports are also an option for you to provide more regular updates to your data. Alternatively, some contracts also allow you to use the Engage API to create accounts and populate select details.
Ideally, at least one account import would be complete before the campus implementation team proceeds to the step of populating student organizations into your community. Confer with your Onboarding Consultant to determine a target date.
Create a Vanity URL
Once your campus implementation team has determined a branded name for their Engage community, it's time to create a Vanity URL. While this step can be taken at any time, we recommend setting up the vanity URL earlier rather than later so that the full implementation team has time to reflect this URL in marketing materials, website links, etc. While your original Campus Labs branded URL will remain functional, it is ideal for branding purposes if users do not have to learn a new URL shortly after the community has launched.
Set Up Card-Swiping
Check with your consultant to confirm whether your contract includes card-swiping. Your contract may also include the Event Check-in App, which for many campuses makes configuring card-swiping unnecessary. If you do choose to implement card-swiping at your campus, this can be done by either technical or non-technical users depending on the campus. However, once complete, an account import will need to be processed (or automated import updated) to reflect user account IDs.
Assign API Keys
If your campus contract includes Application Programming Interface (API) access, you can also assign API keys at any point after authentication is complete. Generally, we recommend having a set plan for how each user will apply their key before assigning the keys out.