Myth Busting Sitecore xDB - St. Louis Sitecore User Group Meetup

“Myth Busting” Sitecore xDBSAINT LOUIS SITECORE USER GROUP JUNE 25, 2015

A little housekeeping

Call for Speakers/Sponsors

Topic Suggestions

What’s Next

• Interested in speaking or want to suggest someone?

• Interested in co-organizing and sponsoring? All are welcome!

• See Meetup discussion board for thread to make a suggestion

• See poll question and vote on recommended topics

• Bi-monthly meetups, next up August

• Related events – webinars, workshops, etc.

Welcome back and welcome newcomers!

11:30 – 11:55 Lunch

11:55 – 12:00 Agenda and Introductions

12:00 – 12:30 What the heck is it?

12:30 – 12:45 What does it do? What does it NOT do?

12:45 – 1:00 What does it cost? What’s included in my license?

Mike CaseySitecore

VP OF SALES ENGINEERING

Aaron BransonRoundedcube

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Mike CaseySitecore

VP OF SALES ENGINEERING

Aaron BransonRoundedcube

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

What is Sitecore xDB?

OMS. DMS. xDB… it’s all

the same thing.

I don’t know but its going

to be expensive.

I hear it is going to bog

my site down.

I can’t tell if it is a CRM

replacement or not.

What is Sitecore xDB?

• A feature set of Sitecore that leverages rich customer experience data to deliver the most relevant, personalized experiences you can.

• It is part of the Sitecore Experience platform – not a separate add-on

• Can I install and use Sitecore without using the xDB?

To Put It Simply…

It’s just a database• Prior to the introduction of xDB• Required SQL Databases: Master, Web, Core, Analytics• Optional SQL Databases: Web Forms

• Sitecore 8 Experience Platform• Required SQL Databases: Master, Web, Core, Reporting• Required MongoDB Databases: Analytics, Contact, Tracking History, Tracking Live• Optional MongoDB Databases: ECM Dispatch

What’s Different?

Sitecore Uses MongoDB• It’s a NoSQL Database Server• What is a Database Server?• SQL Server – contains multiple databases (master, web, core, reporting)• MongoDB Server – contains multiple databases (analytics, contact, tracking, etc..)• Other Database Servers: MySQL, Oracle• Microsoft Access – is not a database server, it is just a database

• SQL databases are relational databases – tables, rows, and columns• Tables can connect to other tables

• NoSQL databases are document based – a document can have any structure you define and it is not constrained by columns and rows.

• Learn more about MongoDB at https://www.mongodb.org/

Why NoSQL for Sitecore

Performance & Scalability

• Writing to a SQL Server database was not fast enough to store all the information Sitecore needs to capture from a single page request• Example: a page request could gather the user’s IP address and what page they

viewed. This information would get stored into multiple SQL tables• MongoDB stores all the information within a single document• Now Imagine this occurring for 400 concurrent page views

• Sitecore’s possibility of Fire and Forget operations• Ability to control “Write Concerns” levels (Tech Speak: Nerd Stuff)• Prior to 2.6 MongoDB’s default write concern was a no tolerance fire and forget

Why NoSQL for Sitecore

Who is affected by the MongoDB addition?• System Administrators • Can your IT department support the database?• Does it comply with existing IT policies and standards?• Does it meet the security requirements?• Is it free? Some company policies require licensed software• Review MongoDB Enterprise Advanced

(https://www.mongodb.com/products/mongodb-enterprise-advanced)• Developers (system integrators)• Integration and customization

• Content Managers• No need to care – same as the other databases

MongoDB vs. SQL Server

• SQL Server is still Sitecore’s best solution for reporting

• Periodically data processing is required to support reporting requirements and functions

• What is a Processing Server… • How many should I buy?• Performance is tricky

xDB On-Premise Needs

Thoughts on Mongo DB Adoption

• Ease of deployment• Enable new ways to store custom data

What does xDB do for me?

xDB Purpose and Value

• DATA• Collect data on every visit and every interaction• Connect visits/interactions to real people• Integrate w/ CRM and other data warehouses

• BOOST OTHER EXPERIENCE MARKETING CAPABILITIES• Personalization: More insight to tailor personalization rules• Analytics: Single source of in-depth analysis on customers• Segmentation: More data on which to create Customer Segments• Automation: More data/segments on which to create automation states/actions

What about licensing?

Licensing xDB

• Your Sitecore license includes xDB… but to what degree is the question• Cost is controlled by measuring two variables: Identified Contacts and Interactions• Pre-2015 customers… no limit to contacts or interactions• 2015+ customers… see Base/Plus/Premium editions• All can elect the option of xDB Cloud• As always, Sitecore licensing is governed by server installs too

Licensing xDB

Licensing xDB

What’s next?

Personalization Strategy Webinar: See meetup website for link to webinar replay

Next meetup: Targeting June, a poll to determine the topic available within a week

Go to www.meetup.com/Saint-Louis-Sitecore-User-Group-Meetup/

Join the group on LinkedIn too! Look for “St. Louis Sitecore User Group”