Welcome to Accutics´ first release notes!
In the past weeks, we've been busy working on major features such as Data Connectors, Output Variables, and the Bulk Template overview in Accutics Standardize. And, of course, we also fixed bugs and made improvements along the way.
Overview
New features:
- [Accutics Standardize] Overview of bulk-created campaigns after publication
- [Accutics Standardize] Variables for creating reusable blocks when building Outputs
- [Accutics Standardize] Data Connectors to export data to third-party platforms
Others:
- [Accutics Validate] Errors count in dashboards - Adjusted.
- [Accutics Validate] Editing and saving issues in the landing page validation rule - Fixed.
Accutics Standardize
New
Data Connector for Adobe Analytics (admins)
We introduced the first Data Connector, which allows Accutics Standardize to export campaign data to Adobe Analytics.
A Data Connector is a connection that allows Accutics Standardize to automatically export campaign data to a third-party platform, such as an analytics tool, data warehouse, or else.
Once you added a connector, its configuration consists in naming it, providing your credentials, defining how often and what pieces of data should be exported (Data Schema), and applying any campaign status filter.
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To run a connector means to generate and send a report to the connection target. In each report, the columns contain the fields you defined in the Data Schema, whereas each row corresponds to a campaign based on the status and date filters you applied.
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Click here for step-by-step instructions
Access the Connectors page by clicking `Connectors´ on the navigation panel. Then:
- Click `Add connector´ > select a target
- Configure the setup
- Find and provide your credentials for the third-party tool
- Define the interval for the Connector runs
- Add and configure a Data Schema (see the section below)
- Apply export filters based on campaigns statuses
- Save
- Let the Connector run automatically or do it manually
Note: To run a connector manually, switch to the `History´ tab > Click `Run´. A row will appear with information about the run, including a column to download a copy of the report.
From `History´, you can also define which campaigns should be included in the run by date.
Data Schema
A Data Schema is used as part of Data Connectors to specify which pieces of data (fields) need to be exported at each run.
Data Schema can be reused for multiple connectors. However, keep in mind that any change made in a Data Schema is reflected in all the instances where the Data Schema is used.
Note: When creating Data Schema for Adobe Analytics, you need to add a specific column named `key´. The value in this field corresponds to a value assigned to the Analytics variable in your website’s JavaScript beacon. This would often be your unique tracking code.
Click on the screenshot to expand it
Click here for step-by-step instructions
- Add a Data Schema
- Name and configure it. E.g., Name: Standard. Configuration: URL as key + a Channel and a Market field
- Save
You can add a Data Schema (1) when configuring a Connector or (2) from the Data Schema tab. Either:
- add a Connector and then add a Data Schema from the setup or
- from the `Connectors´ page, switch to the `Data Schema´ tab > Click `Add data schema´.
Keep in mind that if you create a Data Schema individually first, and not from a Connector's setup, you'll also need to assign the Data Schema to a Connector. Output Variables (admins)
We introduced Variables, which are ´templates´ that can be reused when building Outputs. This is helpful when your Outputs often share the same value structure.
More specifically, a Variable is an output value that can be configured and then used across multiple output fields. Whenever a change is made to a Variable, the change will also be reflected in all the instances where the Variable is placed.
Without a Variable, you'd need to rebuild the same output value for each output where it is needed, manually. If changes need to be made, you'd also need to locate and edit the output values one by one.
Use case: When your taxonomy or tracking codes often share the same value structure. With Variables, you create a common value that can be used in different output fields but managed in one place.
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From the GIF, you can see that the same Variable can effortlessly be added to multiple Outputs. Any change that you make to the Variable, e.g., adding a static value `++´, is also reflected wherever you added it since it is linked.
Click here for details
To create a Variable, switch to the `Variables´ tab from the top nav bar of the Outputs configuration. Then:
- Click `Add variable´ > Select the first action
- Create and configure an Output Value as your Variable
The Variable is now ready to be used.
View and edit bulk-created campaigns
We added an overview window after you publish multiple campaigns with the Bulk Template.
This allows you to export, create more, and view the campaigns you just bulk created, without having to locate them on the Campaign Table manually.
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Click here for details
From the Bulk Template, click `Publish campaigns´. A new window with different actions will open:
- Export. This exports all the campaigns and their fields (input, output, and metadata) to a .xlsx file.
- Create more. It reopens the Bulk Template with the campaigns you just created.
- View Campaigns. It redirects you to the Campaign Table with a filter on the most recent campaigns you've just created.
Closing the window will close the Bulk Template and redirect you to the Campaign Form.
Improvements
Performance of Bulk Template
The speed of the Bulk Template feature was improved significantly. It is now possible to create hundreds of campaigns with ease.
Fixed
Issue with multi-selection in the Campaign Table
When selecting more than one row/campaign, the quick action buttons on the top right would disappear. This was fixed. Small improvements in terms of copy were also made.
Accutics Validate
Improvements
Error count in Dashboards
The computation of errors was adjusted to only display unique errors. Such adjustments can be found in all dashboards containing errors, namely, in Errors graphs, Source tiles, and in Source lists.
Now, you have a clear view of how many errors need to be corrected to reach a 100% Health Score.
Fixed
Issues in the Landing page validation rule
The following 2 issues were fixed:
- When toggling the `Validate analytics tool´ off and on again, the fields for setting the validation would not show.
- The saving buttons would not activate when editing the `Validate analytics tool´ settings.