11 Exporting data to databases

By the end of this chapter you will be able to:

  • Set up a database exporter

In this exercise you will create an export of the customer summary report, to a database table:

  1. In your Introduction to Modelling analysis model, add a new database exporter by hovering over the table Customer Summary by Region, and press  Database Exporter.
  2. Give the new exporter the Name: Customer Summary By Region
  3. Press  Apply and Close.
  4. You will now see the new database exporter in the model.
  5. Save your model layout - click  Save.

To complete the configuration of the database exporter:

  1. Click the Database Exporter in your model and toggle the flag Enabled to.
  2. Set the Datasource to CRM.
  3. In the Statement Expression field, enter the query:

    insert into DEST_CUST_SUMM_BY_REGION
     (REGION, TOTAL_LAST_BILL_AMT, AVG_LAST_BILL_AMT)
     Values
     ({Region}, {TotalLastBillAmount}, {AvgLastBillAmount})
  4. Press  Apply and Close.

    Note that the pipe to the database exporter is dotted – this means that it is a Push pipe. When linking a table to a database exporter you must always use a push pipe. This is because you cannot run a database exporter on its own; it must always be driven from a table (otherwise, it has no data to process).

    To test the database exporter, Run Analysis on the table Customer Summary by Region.

  5. This is because the pipe you created to the database exporter is a push pipe, and so by running this table you will push data from the table to the exporter.
  6. Check the  Administration →  System Console - Your job will be at the top of the list in the Completed Tasks section - to see messages, double click this.
  7. Check the log messages for this job – in particular scroll to the end; you should see messages telling you that data has been exported by your database exporter.
  8. Then press  Close on the System Console window.

Reviewing your exported data

You can review the data you have just exported using the PhixFlow schema browser:

  1. In your model, hover over the Customer Summary By Region  Database Exporter.
  2. In the pop up toolbar press  Show Inputs.
  3. The Datasource CRM will appear on your model view.
  4. Hover over the CRM  Datasource icon.
  5. In the popup press  Show Tables.
  6. Find the table you exported to DEST_CUST_SUMM_BY_REGION
  7. Double-click on the table to bring up the table data - this is the data you just exported.
  8. In the model window, click  Save.