Employee Feeds use connections to define how Applaud receives employee data from a source. After you create a connection, map the source fields to Applaud employee attributes and create the feed.
Before you begin
- Confirm that you have permission to create and manage Employee Feeds connections. See Employee Feeds permissions.
- Identify the source you want to connect, such as a packaged HR system, custom API, MCP server, spreadsheet, or webhook.
- Have the configuration details required by the selected connector.
- Know which environment you're connecting to, such as test or production.
- If your source supports it, use a dedicated integration identity with only the permissions required to access the employee data you want to synchronize.
Choose a connector
Employee Feeds support preconfigured connectors for supported sources and custom connectors for other data sources.
Preconfigured connectors
Use a preconfigured connector when Applaud provides one for your HR system or data source.
For example, a preconfigured connector might provide a starting configuration for Workday Workers.
Custom connectors
Select Custom to connect to a source using one of the following connector types:
| Connector | Best for | What you typically provide |
| MCP server | Employee data available through an MCP server | MCP server connection details |
| REST API | Systems with REST APIs for employee data | Base URL or endpoint and authentication details |
| SOAP | Systems with SOAP services for employee data | Service endpoint and authentication details |
| Spreadsheet | CSV or Excel data, including pilot implementations | Spreadsheet source and file or upload details |
| Webhook | Systems or middleware that publish employee changes | Webhook configuration details |
Depending on the connector, you may need endpoint, environment, authentication, or other source-specific configuration details.
Create a connection
- From Applaud admin, select Employee Feeds.
- Select Add connection.
- Choose the connector you want to use.
- Select a preconfigured connector if your source is supported.
- Select Custom, then choose MCP server, REST API, SOAP, Spreadsheet, or Webhook.
- Enter a connection name that identifies the source and environment.
For example:
- Workday – production
- REST HR API – UAT
- Pilot spreadsheet – UK
- Enter the configuration details required by the selected connector.
- Test the connection.
- Add the connection.
After you create the connection, configure field mappings before creating the Employee Feed. See Configure field mappings.
Troubleshoot a connection
If a connection fails, check the following:
| Check | What to look for |
| Connector type | The selected connector matches how the source provides employee data. |
| Source and environment | You're connecting to the correct system, tenant, MCP server, or file. |
| Connection details | Required values are current and complete. |
| Permissions | The integration identity can access the employee data you need. |
| Source data | The source can be read and contains the data you plan to map. |
If the connection is available but the feed can't synchronize, review the feed's activity and synchronization history. See Monitor Employee Feed activity.
Security recommendations
- Limit who can create and edit connections.
- Use dedicated integration credentials where applicable instead of personal user accounts.
- Follow your organization's requirements for storing and sharing credentials.
- Use separate connections for test and production environments where practical.
- Review connection access when people change roles.
Next steps
After you create the connection:
- Configure field mappings to map source fields to Applaud employee attributes. See Configure field mappings.
- Create the Employee Feed. See Create an Employee Feed.
- Configure lifecycle events, if needed. See Configure lifecycle events.
- Monitor synchronization activity after the feed is running. See Monitor Employee Feed activity.