SIF Setup Elements

The following data elements must be set up in order to utilize Maine SIF for Connect.

Enable the Data Exchange (DEX)

To enable SIF, perform the following steps:

1. From the District Office, navigate to Start > System Management > Server> Plugin Configuration.

2. Type DEX in the Filter to narrow the selection to PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX).

3. Place a checkmark in the box for PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX) and Enable.

4. Confirm the plugin has been enabled by looking for the green Plugin successfully enabled message.

   

Note: This is a one time setup.

Create a ME_SIF 2025 Profile

Once the plugin has been enabled, create a SIF profile by performing the steps below.

1. Type DEX in the Filter to narrow the selection to PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX).

2. Click on PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX) and click ‘Profile Configuration’.

3. Click on Add Profile

   

4. Enter ME_SIF_2025 for the Profile Name. Select the SIF option for the Profile Type. Verify the profile is ‘On’ and click Save.

Configure the SIF Profile & Test Connection

Once the profile has been created, it must be configured.

1. Navigate to System Management > Data Exchange > General Setup

2. Confirm that System Enabled is set to on. Update Data Exchange and Authentication URL fields with https://maine-prod.hostedzone.com/svcs/prod/ and make sure School Years has 2025-2026 enabled. To ensure data changes are sent (25.11.2.0), the Data Changes checkbox should also be enabled.

3. Save your changes.

4. Select ‘Configure’ at the bottom of the page for the LEA that you wish to publish data for.  This will open the screen where your Environment Variable (alphanumeric value only), Authentication Key (Token) and Authentication Secret (Shared secret) will be entered.

5. In this window, set LEA Enabled to On, enter the value received from MDE for Session Token into the Authentication Key field and the Shared Secret into the Authentication Secret field. Click test connection to confirm communication can be established successfully, then save changes. For Districts with SUBDISTRICTS configured, you must repeat step 4 & 5 for each Subdistrict defined.

6. Confirm that the LEA displays an Active status and save your changes.

Other Setup Options

Enabling/Disabling an Organization (School)

To enable/Disable SIF for a specific school, navigate to System Management > Data Exchange > Organizations and make the desired selection. Save changes.

Note: Ensure the desired profile is selected prior to making the changes.

Enabling/Disabling an Organization Resource (Object)

To enable/disable SIF for a specific data set (i.e. school enrollment, student personal, etc.), navigate to System Management > Data Exchange > Resource Configuration and make the desired selection. Save changes.

Note: Ensure the desired profile is selected prior to making the changes.

Publishing/Sending Data

Once the setup is complete and the test connection is successful, the system is ready to begin sending/pulling data. An initial send can be done by navigating to Data and Reporting from the main PS menu and selecting Data Exchange. This will open the SIF Dashboard. Click on Run All to run all with the Publish All for all resources. This can be done once from the District level to complete for the entire District.