Data Sources

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Data Sources

by Community Manager on ‎04-27-2017 10:53 AM - edited on ‎12-18-2017 11:25 AM by (3,116 Views)
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Data sources represent the platforms used to install Tealium to collect data for the Universal Data Hub (UDH). This article describes how data sources work, how to add them to your account using the interactive wizard, and where to use the data sources within the UDH.

This article covers the following topics:

Table of Contents Placeholder

What is a Data Source?

A data source is any system that sends data to the UDH. These systems include websites, native mobile applications, or any custom application that contains visitor event data to be collected. In UDH, these system are presented as data sources. Data sources are platform-specific and provide the necessary code and instructions to complete an installation.

Examples of the types of data sources available include:

  • iQ Tag Management (websites)
  • iOS (native mobile)
  • Android (native mobile)
  • Apple TV
  • Roku
  • Python
  • Java
  • JavaScript (Beta)
  • HTTP API

Some data sources may have settings related to the specific platform of the installation.

How it Works

Data sources are used to easily identify and keep track of your applications that send data to Tealium. Each time you install Tealium in a new application or website, you are prompted to create a corresponding data source in the UDH. When you create the corresponding data source, a unique value called a data source key is generated. The data source key is used in the code to match the installation to the data source in the UDH. Each data source has a name and description that indicates the platform where they are installed. Once a data source is created in the UDH and the code is installed with the data source key, you can use Live Events to easily identify events being sent from that data source. From Live Events, you can then fuel connectors with specific data sources to match events from their source origin to their intended destination.

Data sources can be used to install code and display live events, as follows:

  • Installing Code

    To begin installing Tealium, first create a data source for the platform on which your application is built, such as JavaScript, iOS, iQ Web Management DS, Android, or Python. The data source provides the installation code and instructions for that platform. Each data source is uniquely identified with a data source key, which is used in your code to identify the installation as data sent to Tealium.

  • Live Events

    Getting event data from your data source installation to display in Live Events is the first step to a successful implementation. Once you have installed Tealium into your application and ensured the data source key is in place, data sources can be used in Live Events to verify that the UDH is receiving data properly. From Live Events, you can select a specific data source to filter the display to only show events from that data source.

To get started, ensure that you have access to the installation code of the targeted platform. For a website, you must have access to iQ Tag Management.

Adding a Data Source

The task-driven interface makes it easy to add a new data source from a single screen. Simply select a platform, choose event specifications, and get the code for your webpage.

Use the following steps to add a data source:

  1. From the UDH interface, click the Data Sources tab.
  2. Click Add Data Source.
    The Add Data Source dialog displays.
  3. From the Select a Platform screen, click a target language or platform for your installation. In the following example, iQ Tag Management is selected.
    To filter selections by category, click a category in the left panel.
    Data Sources 001.png
  4. In the Name field under Summary, enter a name and click Continue.
    This is a required field.
  5. Click Continue.
    The dialog advances to the Choose Event Specifications step.
    You can optionally click Skip to skip this step, otherwise continue with the following steps.
  6. To continue, select one or more event specifications.
    To filter event specification types, click a category in the left panel.
    Data Sources 002.png

    Clicking Select All in filtered categories selects only the specifications that display.
    Clicking Deselect All in filtered categories deselects the specifications in all categories.

  7. Click Continue.
    The dialog advances to the Get Code step and displays the data source key and installation code.
    Data Sources 003.png
    Optional. To download installation instructions, including the data source key, base code, and event tracking code, click Download as PDF.
  8. Click Save & Continue.
    A summary displays details and successful addition of the new data source and event specifications.
    Data Sources 004.png
  9. Click Close.
    The new data source displays with a summary of actionable items.
    To expand or collapse the details of a data source, click in the gray area containing the data source name.
  10. From this view, you can use the toolbar that displays in the upper right to do the following:
    Data Sources 004.png
    • View and copy the data source key
    • View test website events in event feeds
    • View setup instructions
    • Return to the Get Code page
    • Open the Get Code pop-up/dialogue
    • Edit the data source settings
    • Duplicate the event source (name appended with _copy)
    • Delete the data source
    • Add or remove event specifications
    • View event specification details
    • View live events related to an event specification
  11. Click Save/ Publish in the upper right of the main screen.
  12. Click OK to close the message dialog.

Editing Data Source Settings

In this step, you can edit your data source settings to add notes, labels, a custom logo URL, or a custom homepage URL to link to your homepage.

Use the following steps to edit the data source settings:

  1. Click the name of the data source.
  2. Click the pencil icon in the toolbar that displays on the bottom right of the data source.
    The Data Source Settings dialog displays.

    You can optionally hover over the logo to display a pencil icon over the logo and then click.

    Data Sources 006.png
  3. In the Notes field, enter helpful note related to the data source.
  4. In the Labels field, click Add Labels.
    • To add an existing label, select the label and click Apply.
    • To add a new label, click Manage Labels.
      The Manage Labels dialog displays.
      • Click + Add Label.
      • In the Color field, select a color from the drop-down list.
      • In the Label field, enter a name for the label.
      • Click Save.
  5. To delete a label, click Add Label from the Labels field.
    • Uncheck the label to delete and click Delete.
    • Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
  6. In the Custom Logo URL field, enter a valid URL to display your custom logo.

    Logo file names must end with jpg, png, or gif.
    All URLs must be valid, secure addresses prefaced with https://

  7. In the Custom Homepage URL field, enter a valid URL for your homepage.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Click Finish.

Connecting Your UDH Profile to a Data Source

To install the code for the data source, you will first need to connect your UDH profile to data source. You will need the data source key and links to the installation guides.

Use the following steps to connect your iQ profile to a new or existing data source:

  1. From the UDH interface, click the Data Sources tab.
  2. Click the name of the data source you want to install to expand the details.
  3. From the detailed view, copy the Data Source Key value.
    Data Sources 007.png
  4. Use the installation instructions for your platform to paste the data source key value into your code.

Installing the Code for the Data Source

After you enter the data source key, you can install the code for the data source. You will need the sample code snippet and links to the installation guides.

Use the following steps to install the code for the data source:

  1. From the UDH interface, click the Data Sources tab.
  2. Click the name of the data source you want to install to expand the details.
  3. Expand the Data Source details to view the Get Code button.
    Data Sources 008.png
  4. Click Get Code.
    The Get Code dialog displays. From this dialog, you can download a PDF with installation instructions, view and copy the base code, or view and copy event tracking code.
    Data Sources 009.png
  5. Copy the code displayed in the window.
  6. Use the installation instructions for your platform to install the code.
  7. Click Close to close the Get Code dialog.

Verifying the New Data Source

Once you have saved and published your UDH account with the new data source and installed the data source key in the relevant platform, you can verify the setup by viewing the live event stream.

Use the following steps to view live events and verify your data source:

  1. From the UDH interface, click the Live Events chart icon to view live events display as they occur.
  2. You can optionally filter the live events that display by clicking on the categories in the left pane.
  3. In your installation, trigger test events and view them as they display in the Live Events feed.

FAQ

What if I'm using iQ Tag Management for my website or mobile app?

If you are using iQ Tag Management, you technically already have a data source installed. If desired, you may still create a data source for the appropriate platform and then follow the guide to Data Sources for iQ.

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