Introduction to Custom Processing for SAS Marketing Automation

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Keen to learn about custom processing for SAS Marketing Automation, but you missed the recent Ask the Expert session? Rest easy, you can view it on-demand whenever you like.

Watch the webinar

In this session, you’ll learn:

• Potential applications of custom processing in campaigns.
• How to exploit the capabilities of selected macro variables specific to SAS Marketing Automation.
• How to create and use data sets containing information about campaigns and campaign resources.
• The steps to register a stored process for use with SAS Marketing Automation.

I've included questions that were posted during the event below, along with answers. I've attached the slides in PDF form as well.

1. Why is it a best practice to use stored processes in a Process node instead of SAS code?

There are differences in several areas that can make stored processes a better choice, I've summarized them in the table below.

	Type = Process	Type = Code
Development	Typically developed and tested in a programming interface such as SAS Enterprise Guide	Entered in Customer Intelligence Studio, which is a text editor that does not aid in validating code
Storage	Stored centrally and can be used in multiple campaigns	Stored in individual campaigns
Customization	Campaign designers can customize process behavior using defined prompts	Campaign designers must edit code to modify process behavior
Output cells	Can create multiple output cell nodes	Does not create output cell nodes
Maintenance	Revise and test code once for all campaigns	Revise and test code in each campaign where it is used

One advantage to Type=code is that all required macros are automatically executed with the exception of %MACount (or %MACntTab). You must call the macros manually when using a stored process.

2. How do you create a custom node?

You add a custom node to the tool palette by defining a custom diagram tool in the Definitions workspace. When you create a custom diagram tool, you give it a name, choose an icon for the palette, and select the stored process along with some additional options.

3. Are there other macro variables or datasets that we can use?

Yes. You can refer to the Marketing Automation User's Guide for a complete list.

4. You didn't define any prompts. What do they do?

Prompts are optional and enable you to give the campaign designer some kind of choice. Their selection can be used for processing within the stored process code. So the campaign designer can customize how the code performs from within a campaign. They can be really powerful, and are one of the reasons that stored processes are a best practice. Prompts can only be used with stored processes.

Recommended Resource

Course: SAS Marketing Automation: Advanced Campaign Design

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[ravindrrapaal]

Hi I wanted to know what is the algorithm used for random distribution in A/B testing node. Is it similar to Oracle's random function or any other method. 

[LiseC]

Hi ravindrrapaal,

It looks like you also posted this question to the SAS Customer Intelligence Community and got an answer there. That is the best place to post your questions, as it is monitored by a larger group. Thanks!