Salesforce Connector for SSAS

In this article you will learn how to integrate Salesforce data in SSAS without coding in just a few clicks (live / bi-directional connection to Salesforce). Salesforce Connector can be used to extract/load large amount of data from/in Salesforce.com without any programming. You can use simple Table mode or Query mode with full SOQL query language support (SOQL=Salesforce.com Object Query Language)..

Using Salesforce Connector you will be able to connect, read, and write data from within SSAS. Follow the steps below to see how we would accomplish that.

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Create Data Source in ZappySys Data Gateway based on Salesforce Driver

  1. Download and install ZappySys ODBC PowerPack.

  2. Search for gateway in start menu and Open ZappySys Data Gateway:
    Open ZappySys Data Gateway

  3. Go to Users Tab to add our first Gateway user. Click Add; we will give it a name tdsuser and enter password you like to give. Check Admin option and click OK to save. We will use these details later when we create linked server:
    ZappySys Data Gateway - Add User

  4. Now we are ready to add a data source. Click Add, give data source a name (Copy this name somewhere, we will need it later) and then select Native - ZappySys Salesforce Driver. Finally, click OK. And it will create the Data Set for it and open the ZS driver UI.

    ZappySys Data Gateway - Add Salesforce Data Source

  5. Now, we need SalesForce Connection. Lets create it. ODBC SalesForce Driver - Create Connection

  6. Now, When you see DSN Config Editor with zappysys logo first thing you need to do is change default DSN Name at the top and Click on Preview Tab, Select Table from Tables Dropdown or you can enter or modify a SOQL query and click on Preview Data.
    This example shows how to write simple SOQL query (Salesforce Object Query Language). It uses WHERE clause. For more SOQL Queries click here.
    SOQL is similar to database SQL query language but much simpler and many features you use in database query may not be supported in SOQL (Such as JOIN clause not supported). But you can use following Queries for Insert, Update, Delete and Upsert(Update or Insert record if not found).

    SELECT * FROM Account WHERE Name like '%Oil%'
    ZappySys ODBC Driver - Select Table and Preview Data
  7. Click OK to finish creating the data source

Read Salesforce data in SSAS cube

With the data source created in the Data Gateway (previous step), we're now ready to read Salesforce data in an SSAS cube. Before we dive in, open Visual Studio and create a new Analysis Services project. Then, you're all set!

In the example below, we use Multidimensional and Data Mining Analysis Services project, but it should work with Tabular project too.

Create data source based on ZappySys Data Gateway

Let's start by creating a data source for a cube, based on the Data Gateway's data source we created earlier. So, what are we waiting for? Let's do it!

  1. Create a new data source: Create new data source in SSAS to read API data
  2. Once a window opens, select Create a data source based on an existing or new connection option and click New...: Connect to ZappySys Data Gateway in SSAS to read API data
  3. Here things become a little complicated, but do not despair, it's only for a little while. Just perform these little steps:
    • Select Native OLE DB\SQL Server Native Client 11.0 as provider.
    • Enter your Server name (or IP address) and Port, separated by a comma.
    • Select SQL Server Authentication option for authentication.
    • Input User name which has admin permissions in the ZappySys Data Gateway.
    • In Database name field enter the same data source name you use in the ZappySys Data Gateway.
    • Hopefully, our hard work is done, when we Test Connection.
    SalesforceDSN
    SalesforceDSN
    Configure new data source in SSAS to read API data
    If SQL Server Native Client 11.0 is not listed as Native OLE DB provider, try using these:
    • Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server
    • Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server
  4. Indeed, life is easy again: Test connection to ZappySys Data Gateway in SSAS to read API data

Add data source view

We have data source in place, it's now time to add a data source view. Let's not waste a single second and get on to it!

  1. Start by right-clicking on Data Source Views and then choosing New Data Source View...: Create new data source view in SSAS to read API data
  2. Select the previously created data source and click Next: Connect to ZappySys Data Gateway in SSAS to read API data
  3. Ignore the Name Matching window and click Next.
  4. Add the tables you will use in your SSAS cube: Select tables to read API data in SSAS cube
    For cube dimensions, consider creating a Virtual Table in the Data Gateway's data source. Use the DISTINCT keyword in the SELECT statement to get unique values from the facts table, like this:
    SELECT DISTINCT Country FROM Customers
    For demonstration purposes we are using sample tables which may not be available in Salesforce.
  5. Review your data source view and click Finish: Successful data source view creation in SSAS
  6. Add the missing table relationships and you're done! Create additional table relationships in SSAS to read API data

Create cube

We have a data source view ready to be used by our cube. Let's create one!

  1. Start by right-clicking on Cubes and selecting New Cube... menu item: Create new SSAS cube to read API data
  2. Select tables you will use for the measures: Choose measure tables in SSAS to read API data
  3. And then select the measures themselves: Selecting measures for SSAS cube to read API data
  4. Don't stop and select the dimensions too: Choosing dimensions for SSAS cube to read API data
  5. Move along and click Finish before the final steps: Read API data in SSAS cube
  6. Review your cube before processing it: Read API data in SSAS cube
  7. It's time for the grand finale! Hit Process... to create the cube: Process SSAS cube to read API data
  8. A splendid success! SSAS cube processed to read API data

Execute MDX query

The cube is created and processed. It's time to reap what we sow! Just execute an MDX query and get Salesforce data in your SSAS cube:

Execute MDX in SSAS cube to read API data

Conclusion

In this article we discussed how to connect to Salesforce in SSAS and integrate data without any coding. Click here to Download Salesforce Connector for SSAS and try yourself see how easy it is. If you still have any question(s) then ask here or simply click on live chat icon below and ask our expert (see bottom-right corner of this page).

Download Salesforce Connector for SSAS Documentation 

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Download Salesforce Connector for SSAS Documentation

  • How to connect Salesforce in SSAS?

  • How to get Salesforce data in SSAS?

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  • How to load Salesforce data in SSAS?

  • How to import Salesforce data in SSAS?

  • How to pull Salesforce data in SSAS?

  • How to push data to Salesforce in SSAS?

  • How to write data to Salesforce in SSAS?

  • How to POST data to Salesforce in SSAS?

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  • Salesforce SSAS Integration

  • Integration Salesforce in SSAS

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  • Consume real-time Salesforce API data in SSAS

  • Salesforce ODBC Driver | ODBC Driver for Salesforce | ODBC Salesforce Driver | SSIS Salesforce Source | SSIS Salesforce Destination

  • Connect Salesforce in SSAS

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  • Load Salesforce data in SSAS

  • Read Salesforce data in SSAS

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