Developer Journey Week 9: Supporting Cross-Departmental Tasks and Enhancing System Integrations
This week, I shifted focus to assist other departments with technical tasks, from improving database queries to repairing integrations, while awaiting feedback on major security upgrades.
Introduction: A Week of Collaboration and Technical Assistance
In the ninth week of my developer journey, while waiting for feedback on the camera system changes, I turned my attention to assisting other departments with their technical needs. This involvement underscores the interconnected nature of IT work and highlights the importance of agility and collaboration in maintaining organizational efficiency.
Streamlining Database Operations
I completed the transition of our stored procedures to utilize a new table layout. This restructuring was aimed at reducing the complexity and improving the run times of our queries, which is critical for enhancing the performance of our applications. Simplifying these procedures not only boosts system efficiency but also makes maintenance easier, which is beneficial for the entire IT department.
Facilitating New System Integrations
Our server team needed to integrate a new system into our existing Okta implementation. To assist, I developed a SQL query to extract the necessary data points they required. This quick action facilitated the smooth initiation of their integration project, demonstrating the pivotal role developers play in supporting system enhancements and ensuring that new tools are brought online without delays.
Resolving HR Integration Issues
A change in how HR stored "Specialty Teams" data in Workday unexpectedly disrupted our integration on the internal site, causing specialty teams to disappear from user profiles. This issue involved no errors, just a blank space, making it tricky to diagnose. After investigating the change and understanding the new data storage methodology, I updated our access methods and code, restoring the functionality to display specialty team memberships on our internal site. This task highlighted the need for constant communication between departments to preemptively manage changes that could impact integrated systems.
Assisting New Vendor Partnerships
During discussions with a new vendor, they requested a WSDL file for one of our SOAP services. Providing this file was crucial for enabling them to understand and interact with our services correctly. This support not only facilitates our new partnership but also ensures that the vendor can integrate their services with ours effectively, paving the way for a successful collaboration.
Conclusion: The Importance of Versatility and Support
This week reinforced the importance of being versatile and supportive in a developer role. By assisting other departments, I not only helped advance their projects but also ensured that our systems and integrations remained robust and effective. As we continue to await feedback on the camera security system, these tasks keep our operations running smoothly and exemplify the collaborative spirit necessary for success in any tech-driven organization.
