The Dulin Report

In my presentation at TDWI 2019, I shared insights on architecting a modern cloud-native data API ecosystem, particularly focusing on the challenges and opportunities within the Human Capital Management (HCM) industry. I began by highlighting key trends such as the global workforce shift, the rise of the gig economy, and the importance of big data and open ecosystems. I discussed ADP's approach to innovation, emphasizing our design-driven culture and our robust R&D capabilities at the Roseland Innovation Lab. We are committed to leveraging these trends to enhance our HCM and payroll solutions, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of our clients.

I then delved into the significance of public API ecosystems in modern business landscapes. I emphasized that APIs are essential for creating long-lived, interconnected ecosystems that can drive business growth and innovation. Specifically, I introduced GraphQL, a flexible alternative to traditional REST APIs. GraphQL's ability to federate data from multiple sources, its self-documenting nature, and its support for real-time data subscriptions make it an ideal choice for modern API ecosystems. I detailed how we have implemented GraphQL at ADP, including its integration with our HCM and payroll systems, using a serverless architecture on AWS to ensure scalability and cost efficiency.

Finally, I outlined the steps we took to overcome the challenges of standardizing a global data model and implementing robust data protection measures. Our approach includes using OAuth for authentication, tokenization for sensitive data, and leveraging AWS services for secure and efficient data management. I also discussed our use of machine learning and predictive analytics to gain deeper insights from our data. By adopting these modern API patterns and technologies, we have been able to create a more discoverable, secure, and scalable data ecosystem, ultimately delivering greater value to our clients.