Equus offers a feature that simplifies the receipt and management of Mercer data for existing clients. Use of this feature requires the following:
Client to have a subscription with Mercer (Multinational approach or National Specific approach)
Client's webserver configured to use the API – please contact your Equus representative. Configuration is completed by the Equus Development Team.
In the Equus Platform, create an API subscriber with a subscription to the Mercer API (select Mercer from the list of available API Subscriptions) and Exchange Rate (if Mercer exchange rate is to be sent) – this is another subscription, currently labeled AIRINC Exchange Rate, but is not appropriate when referring to Mercer Exchange Rate. Generate GUID and Secret Key for the API subscriber – to be provided to Mercer to enable integration between their systems and the client's instance.
Based on what is included in the Client's Mercer subscription, Mercer is able to manage data directly in the Equus Platform over the API. The data is stored in standard tables within the Equus Platform. New Data API that can be used for clients to access data from the Mercer Data Points:
Cost of Living
Data for Cost of Living (COL) as per standard COL indices includes all 3 indices: total index, index excluding utilities, excluding transportation and both (Mercer Updated International Basket)
Spendable Value and Percentage
Spendable Index Related Income & Total Spendable Income (% and amounts)
Quality of Living
Quality of Living (QOL) standard QOL index, QOL % included (Mercer International Basket)
Home Housing Norm
Home Housing Norm (% only)
Exchange Rates
Standard average FX rates included (i.e., monthly, weekly, average FX rate included)
Host Housing Allowance
Host Housing Cost based on Mobilize Housing Core Data (5 costs categories where available)
Schooling/Education
Education all schools' costs (All schools type, levels, costs)
Per Diem
Per Diem Mercer Standard Basket without accommodation (1 basket, data in local currency and reference currency)
Note, while Mercer can manage the data sets, clients may need to review new sets of data before using them for calculations powered by User Reports.
Things to Note
Data imported through the Import Processes do not need any changes since the data will fall in the same base tables excluding 4 new system tables (QOL Hardship Allowance, Per Diem, Schooling, Host Housing Allowance). However, the QOL Hardship Allowance is already built into the system if using the Import Processes approach.