Arbiter Integration#116

Ability to export Arbiter game schedule to the watch so the games don’t have to be entered

This has already been suggested in another form for an API which could be linked to Arbiter. I use Arbiter too. You may want to upvote the API request.

Arbiter is the #1 referee management system in America, an integration would make RefSix a more valuable tool and signicantly reduce effort.

I was just assigned a season full of matches through Arbiter. The thought of having to manually enter every detail that already exists in Arbiter is depressing. How much would an integration cost? Can we set-up a GoFund Me to make this happen?

Hi Paul.

We’ve spoken with Arbiter a few times but unfortunately they don’t currently have the right APIs that would allow us to do what we want. We have created a CSV upload function which allows touchpad upload multiple games in one go - this may help for now? If you know anyone at Arbiter who may be able to prioritise this API for us we’d love an intro!

Perhaps if refs and assignors contact Arbiter to provide feedback on how welcomed the ref community would find this enhancement they may consider advancing the ball. I am on Arbiter for High School and another league, so would really welcome this. Actually provided feedback to their support today and they sent to “product” team.

That’s a great idea.

Thank, Can’t hurt and only takes minute.

The Arbiter partner website has detailed description of the RESTful interface.Does RefSix not support REST or is there something missing from the interface?

I read through the library and it looked extensive.
https://partner.arbitersports.com/index.html

The Spring schedule just arrived but it’s not available in CSV. There is much less friction in setting up a game on the watch, but so much less value without game details that could be provided by an integration.

RefSix (AFAIK) does not have a REST interface… or an open/public one. AFAIK, RefSix is built with Ionic / Angular / React, so REST should be more or less “cooked in” already and just needs to be “turned on” in various places. I could be wrong.

REST API has been suggested (see other posts here and upvote those), but not put on the roadmap. The CSV upload was the alternative provided … so far. I’m still writing scripting to interface with our local assignment system (which is called “RefTown” and absolutely terrible). RefSix is built around a development platform

I really think an Arbiter - RefSix alliance is a “killer app”. There are probably some business reasons why this has not happened.

So from the limited integration to date,(DBU, RefAssist and still working with Stacks Officials), it implies that integration is dependent on the other system being able and willing to use RefSix’s APIs? Refsix is a great ref tool, but wider/open integration would make it so much greater!!!!!!!!!! And might drive more users to it.

I don’t think it implies that any of the the assignment systems need to directly integrate with RefSix. It could be indirect. For example, as long as the assignment platform had a REST API and RefSix had one, you or I (or anyone else) could write any integration between the two. For example, also IFTTT, Zapier, PowerAutomate, etc. etc.

I think the main issue right now is that we have a good referee tool (RefSix), but as far as I know, there does not really exist and truly good assignment platforms that satisfy assignors (ranking, flexibility in assignment, communication), referees (easy to use/report, has phone/tablet app, calendar integration, RefSix integration), treasurers (can pay referees flexibly, integration with ACH, electronic payment, QuickBooks integration).

Ay that makes sense. Perhaps Refsix wants deeper integration as they have with the 2 have. When for some of us, we just want it to pull in games! And do not need to talk back to assignment system.

I have yet to make an update to an Arbiter record after an assignment. There is an option to report incidents on Arbiter which is theoretically useful, but none of my referee associations or leagues support that feature. So being able to automatically pull and refresh data is all that I require.

Same here. I report scores (only) in Arbiter post match. In the US, there are so many assigning systems. If Refsix was able to hit the top ones with “game syncing”, this would be a huge thing.

Arbiter would be great

Four years of requesting an integration and nothing. To begin with, Arbiiter did not have an API, now they support REST. So what is needed from RefSix? A petition, a bake sale, a go fund me?

Hi Paul, with regards to integrations the answer is almost always it’s a them think rather than an us thing. We’d love to integrate with as many as possible. I see they have APIs but I believe they are from an organisational account level rather than an individual referee level who may work for multiple organisations. That being said I’d love to explore it more so if you have any information please send an email to [email protected] Thanks

+1 for me. ArbiterSports (they rebranded name) is the top platform used in Canada, adding integration would be a huge time saver and limit the friction. I love the app but the endless manual adding of games is deterring.