8 PeopleSoft Integration Broker Interview Questions (With Tips)

Many companies use PeopleSoft applications for supply chain management, human resource management, customer relationship management, and enterprise performance management. While each of these tools is powerful on its own, the PeopleSoft Integration Broker provides business leaders and managers with the ability to share data between each program seamlessly. If you’re applying for jobs in information technology, then you may benefit from reviewing some common interview questions about how PeopleSoft Integration Broker works to show hiring managers you can maintain this system.

In this article, we explain what PeopleSoft Integration Broker is, share eight popular interview questions about this feature, and provide sample answers to help you prepare.

What is the PeopleSoft Integration Broker?

PeopleSoft Integration Broker is a popular middleware technology that allows professionals to connect PeopleSoft applications and share data between them. It makes it easy to send and receive information across the entire applications suite. Professionals can also use the PeopleSoft Integration Broker to share files and messages with third-party software programs. This helps employees and vendors access important files remotely.

8 PeopleSoft Integration Broker interview questions

Here are eight questions about PeopleSoft Integration Broker that you may encounter during your next interview, as well as examples of how to answer them successfully:

1. What are some of the primary capabilities of the PeopleSoft Integration Broker?

While this question may seem simple, your answer can help hiring managers determine how much experience you have working with the PeopleSoft Integration Broker. Focus on the key reasons professionals use this middleware technology in your answer.

Example: “The most notable feature of PeopleSoft Integration Broker is that it sends both asynchronous and synchronous messages back and forth between internal systems and third-party systems. It also allows users to perform integrations while managing data format, data structure, and transport disparities.”

2. Can you name the two subsystems that make up the PeopleSoft Integration Broker?

Understanding the basic systems that comprise the PeopleSoft Integration Broker is important if you plan to manage this system. Use clear, concise language to define each subsystem and explain what purpose they serve.

Example: “The two subsystems that make up the PeopleSoft Integration Broker are the integration engine and the integration gateway. The integration engine exists on a PeopleSoft application server, while the integration gateway exists on a PeopleSoft web server.”

3. What are listening connectors?

Listening connectors are one of the two broad types of classes that comprise the integration gateway. Hiring managers may ask this question to determine whether you have a basic understanding of how the PeopleSoft Integration Broker works. Explain what listening connectors are and how you can use them in your answer.

Example: “Listening connectors are one of the primary types of classes that make up the integration gateway, along with target connectors. They identify incoming requests from other external systems and normalize the incoming protocol-dependent requests so they can reach the application server.”

4. What are target connectors?

Target connectors also comprise the integration gateway by complimenting the listening connectors. Focus on explaining their primary functions in your answer.

Example: “While listening connectors allow the application server to receive incoming requests, target connectors help the application server send requests to external systems. When requests pass through a target connector, they’re automatically converted to a format that the external system can comprehend.”

5. Can you explain what web services are in the PeopleSoft Integration Broker?

A hiring manager may ask you this question to assess how well you understand the core function of the PeopleSoft Integration Broker. Explain what web services are and how you can transfer information from one program to another.

Example: “PeopleSoft Integration Broker allows users to share web services to external integration partners and other PeopleSoft programs. This makes it easy to seamlessly transfer information and data between applications. You can use the Web Services Description Language documents and Web Application Definition Language document to accomplish this.”

6. Can you share some of the benefits of the integration gateway in the PeopleSoft Integration Broker?

The integration gateway is a subsystem responsible for managing the delivery and receipt or messages transported to different systems with the PeopleSoft Integration Broker. There are several benefits to using this platform, but you can focus on two or three in your answer to keep your response concise.

Example: “The integration gateway supports popular TCP/IP application protocols and acts as a pipeline that transfers messages. This subsystem also offers extensible interfaces that help professionals develop new communication connectors for internet-based systems and enterprise resource planning. The integration gateway platform also provides logging information to make it easy to track message receipts and errors.”

7. What types of listening connectors are available in the PeopleSoft Integration Broker?

Every listening connector has a specific protocol, so it’s important to understand which one to use for different systems. Name each of the listening connectors and discuss what types of requests you can use them for in your answer.

Example: “There are three protocol-specific listening connectors, the HTTPListeningConnector, the JMSListeningConnector, and the PeopleSoftListeningConnector. The HTTPListeningConnector works with incoming HTTP requests, such as simple object access protocol. The JMSListeningConnector is responsible for handling Java messaging service requests, and the PeopleSoftListeningConnector manages incoming requests from other integration brokers.”

8. Can you name three types of target connectors that are available in the PeopleSoft Integration Broker?

Similar to listening connectors, each target connector has a unique protocol. PeopleSoft Integration Broker currently features six target connectors. In your answer, focus on the three target connectors you’re the most comfortable with and explain what types of requests they allow.

Example: “Three protocol-specific listening connectors are the FTPTargetConnector, the JMSTargetConnector, and the POP3TargetConnector. The FTPTargetConnector manages all outgoing HTTP and SOAP requests. The JMSTargetConnector is responsible for handling all outgoing Java messaging service requests, and the POP3TargetConnector allows Post Office Protocol (POP3) accounts to retrieve emails.”

Interview tips

Here are some additional tips to help you excel in your next IT job interview:

• Conduct a mock interview. Ask a friend, family member, or colleague who works in the IT industry to help you prepare by asking you questions. You can meet with them in person or schedule a video chat to simulate what your interview may be like in real life.

• Review the job description. Before your interview, read through the job description again to identify which software programs and systems the hiring manager may ask you about. Then familiarize yourself with these programs and research interview questions related to them.

• Provide examples. Consider what types of IT projects you’ve worked on in the past. Taking the time to recall these projects ahead of time can prepare you to offer examples that demonstrate your knowledge and skills during your interview.

• Send a thank you note. A day or two after your interview, follow up with the hiring manager by sending them a thank you message via email. This can help you leave a positive and lasting impression.

I hope you find this article helpful.