Build Semantic Layer Views for Adobe Experience Manager Data in APOS Live Data Gateway

APOS Live Data Gateway (LDG) is a data connection and data transformation solution that enables live data connectivity and expanded data source options for SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions. When paired with CData Connectors, users can build semantic layer views for live Adobe Experience Manager data, enabling real-time analytics on Adobe Experience Manager just like working with a relational database.

With built-in optimized data processing, the CData Connector offers unmatched performance for interacting with live Adobe Experience Manager data. When you issue complex SQL queries to Adobe Experience Manager, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to Adobe Experience Manager and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). Its built-in dynamic metadata querying allows you to work with and analyze Adobe Experience Manager data using native data types.

Download and Install the Connector Files

In order to access Adobe Experience Manager data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, you will need to download the connector files from APOS and install them on the machine hosting the Live Data Gateway. An APOS representative can deliver the necessary files.

• Install the CData DLL file (System.Data.CData.AdobeExperienceManager.dll) to the APOS Live Data Gateway installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ by default).
• Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.adobeexperiencemanager.jar) to the ConnectionTest_lib folder in the installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ConnectionTest_lib\ by default).
• Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.adobeexperiencemanager.jar) to the lib folder in the Web UI installation directory (e.g.: C:\LDG_WebUI\lib\)

Configuring the Adobe Experience Manager Connection String

Before establishing the connection to Adobe Experience Manager from the APOS Live Data Gateway, you need to configure the Adobe Experience Manager JDBC Connection String.

Built-in Connection String Designer

For assistance in constructing the JDBC Connection String, use the connection string designer built into the Adobe Experience Manager JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

java -jar cdata.jdbc.adobeexperiencemanager.jar

Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

The driver connects to Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) instances that expose the JCR repository over WebDAV. It supports both on-premises AEM and AEM as a Cloud Service deployments.

To establish a connection, set the following properties:

• URL: The WebDAV-enabled JCR server URL.
  • AEM as a Cloud Service: https://author-pXXXXX-eXXXXX.adobeaemcloud.com/crx/server
  • Local development: http://localhost:4502/crx/server
• User: Your AEM username.
• Password: Your AEM password.

Note: Tables are dynamically generated based on the JCR repository structure. Ensure that the configured user has sufficient permissions to access the required content paths in the AEM repository.

Your connection string will look similar to the following:

jdbc:AdobeExperienceManager:URL=https://author-p12345-e67890.adobeaemcloud.com/crx/server;User=admin;Password=admin;

Connecting to Adobe Experience Manager & Creating a Semantic Layer View

After installing the connector files and configuring the connection string, you are ready to connect to Adobe Experience Manager in the Live Data Gateway Admin tool and build a semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.

Configuring the Connection to Adobe Experience Manager

1. Log into your APOS Live Data Gateway Manager
2. If you haven't already, update your APOS LDG license file
   1. Click File -> Configurations
   2. Click on the "..." Menu for the License
   3. Select the license file from the APOS team that includes your CData Connector license
3. In the APOS Live Data Gateway Manager, click "Add"
4. In the APOS Live Data Gateway On the Connection tab, configure the connection:
   • Set Data Source to "Database"
   • Set Database to "CData Drivers"
   • Set Database CData Drivers to "Adobe Experience Manager"
   • Set Connection String to the connection string configured earlier (e.g.:

     jdbc:AdobeExperienceManager:URL=https://author-p12345-e67890.adobeaemcloud.com/crx/server;User=admin;Password=admin;

   • Set Driver Class to "cdata.jdbc.adobeexperiencemanager.AdobeExperienceManagerDriver" (this should be set by default)
   
5. Click Test Connection
6. Click Save
7. Give your connection a unique prefix (e.g. "adobeexperiencemanager")
8. Highlight the newly created connection and click File -> "Approve Users For Web UI"
9. Approve the appropriate DB users to create views and click "Save"

At this point, we are ready to build our semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.

Creating a Semantic Layer View

1. In your browser, navigate to the APOS Live Data Gateway Portal
2. Select a Connection (e.g. "adobeexperiencemanager")
3. Set User Name and Password to the User and Password properties for Adobe Experience Manager.
4. Click "Login"
5. Once connected, click "Semantic Layer" to create a new semantic layer view
6. Click "New Semantic Layer View"
7. Set the Semantic Layer View Prefix and Semantic Layer View Name
8. Click "Step 2"
9. Select the table(s) and column(s) you wish to include in your view
10. Click "Step 3"
11. Select the Measures from the available table columns
12. Click "Step 5" (we skipped the "Extra Dimensions" step)
13. Add any Variable Prompts
14. Click "Step 6"
15. Define any Table Joins
16. Click "Review"
17. Review you semantic layer view and click "Save"

With the Semantic Layer View created, you are ready to access your Adobe Experience Manager data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, enabling real-time data connectivity to Adobe Experience Manager data from SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions.

More Information & Free Evaluation

Please visit APOS Systems - APOS Solutions - Request Evaluation Software to request evaluation software or email [email protected] for more information on working with your live Adobe Experience Manager data in APOS Live Data Gateway.