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August 29, 2023

Unveiling Finch’s New Backend Software Development Kits (SDKs)

Table of Contents

Building with Finch just got easier. 

Today, Finch announces the release of a set of new backend SDKs that will help developers support integrations faster than ever. We expect this new functionality to help our customers focus more on their application logic and less on boilerplate code.

What’s a Software Development Kit?

A software development kit (SDK) is a set of platform-specific building tools for developers. SDKs put everything you might need to develop and run software in one place. They can also contain helpful resources like documentation, APIs, and frameworks that enable faster application development. 

While the actual contents of each software development kit will vary, most will include:

Libraries and Frameworks: These are collections of pre-written code that developers can leverage to perform common tasks without having to build from scratch. Libraries simplify the development process by providing reusable, modular components.

Documentation: Comprehensive guides and references that detail the functionalities, classes, methods, and best practices for using the SDK. Good documentation is crucial for developers to understand and effectively utilize the tools provided.

Sample Code: Examples of how to use the SDK's features. Sample code can serve as a starting point for developers, helping them get up to speed quickly and see practical implementations of the SDK's capabilities.

All of these resources help developers control costs, shorten development cycles, and ultimately ship great products faster. 

Backend SDKs for Authentication and Data Retrieval

Finch’s SDKs give developers the building blocks and tools needed to build robust, scalable, and efficient applications. Our SDKs are designed to streamline the development process, reducing the time and effort required to integrate with Finch — and by extension, hundreds of payroll and HRIS systems.

With this newest set of SDKs, developers can expect a comprehensive set of built-in functions and methods that allow them to interact with Finch's APIs directly in their language of choice. These backend SDKs include authentication and data retrieval operations, making it easier for developers to perform common tasks.

Let’s walk through an example using our Python SDK: After an employer authorizes through Finch Connect, developers can use the get_access_token function to exchange the authorization code for an access token. Once they have this access token, they can call any of the retrieval functions to retrieve data for that company. 

For example, client.hris.company.retrieve() will retrieve data from the /employer/company endpoint of the Finch API.

Developers can use this pattern to pull the same data models available in our API. This includes all data available via the company, directory, employment, individual, payment, pay statement, and benefits endpoints.

Get started with Finch SDKs

Looking to get started? Check out our SDK repositories, which provide extensive documentation and sample code. Start with selecting your preferred coding language:

Curious what other SDKs Finch supports? Check out our frontend SDKs, which can help you embed Finch Connect in your application.

We're excited to see what you build with Finch. Visit our docs for more information on installation and usage. If you have any questions or need help getting started, reach out to developers@tryfinch.com.

97% of HR professionals say it’s important for your app to integrate with their employment systems

Learn more in our State of Employment Technology report ->

97% of HR professionals say it’s important for your app to integrate with their employment systems

Download the report to learn more

Payroll Integrations Made for Retirement

Finch lets recordkeepers and TPAs integrate with the payroll systems their sponsors use to pull pay and census data and manage deductions automatically.

Learn how ->
Visualize the employment ecosystem

Thousands of applications make up the employment ecosystem, spanning uses from financial planning to employer-sponsored benefits. Get the full picture of how these applications fit together with our market map.

Download the map
Visualize the employment ecosystem

Thousands of applications make up the employment ecosystem, spanning uses from financial planning to employer-sponsored benefits. Get the full picture of how these applications fit together with our market map.

Download the map
Key Takeaways:
  • On average, 80% of participants default into their retirement plan, demonstrating that the majority of Americans aren’t actively engaged in their retirement planning — and highlighting the opportunity for recordkeepers to engage participants more directly.
  • Recent legislative changes and technological advancements represent a prime opportunity to get more individuals thinking about their financial futures and participating in the savings opportunities available to them.
  • Greater payroll connectivity provides recordkeepers with more comprehensive data, mitigating challenges introduced through file exchanges and arming recordkeepers with the up-to-date information they need to best support sponsors and participants alike.