Build Visualizations of Oracle Eloqua Reporting Data in Birst

Birst is a cloud business intelligence (BI) tool and analytics platform that helps organizations quickly understand and optimize complex processes. When paired with the CData JDBC Driver for Oracle Eloqua Reporting, you can connect to live Oracle Eloqua Reporting data through the Birst Cloud Agent and build real-time visualizations. In this article, we walk you through, step-by-step, how to connect to Oracle Eloqua Reporting using the Cloud Agent and create dynamic reports in Birst.

With powerful data processing capabilities, the CData JDBC driver offers unmatched performance for live Oracle Eloqua Reporting data operations in Birst. When you issue complex SQL queries from Birst to Oracle Eloqua Reporting, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to Oracle Eloqua Reporting and utilizes the embedded SQL Engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). With built-in dynamic metadata querying, the JDBC driver enables you to visualize and analyze Oracle Eloqua Reporting data using native Birst data types.

Configure a JDBC Connection to Oracle Eloqua Reporting Data in Birst

Before creating the Birst project, you will need to install the Birst Cloud Agent (in order to work with the installed JDBC Driver). Also, copy the JAR file for the JDBC Driver (and the LIC file, if it exists) to the /drivers/ directory in the installation location for the Cloud Agent.

With the driver and Cloud Agent installed, you are ready to begin.

1. Create a new project in Birst.
2. Name the connection (e.g. CDataOracleEloquaReporting).
3. Choose Live Access.
4. Select an agent.
5. Set Database Type to Other.

6. Set SQL Type to MSSQL
7. Set the Connection string.

   Oracle Eloqua Reporting supports the following authentication methods:

   • Basic authentication (User and Password)
   • OAuth 2.0 code grant flow
   • OAuth 2.0 password grant flow

   Basic Authentication (User and Password)

   To perform authentication with a user and password, specify these properties:

   • AuthScheme: Basic.
   • Company: The company name associated with your Oracle Eloqua Reporting account.
   • User: Your login account name.
   • Password: Your login password.

   OAuth Authentication (Code Grant Flow)

   To authenticate with the OAuth code grant flow, you must set AuthScheme to OAuth and create a custom OAuth application. For information about how to create a custom OAuth application, see the Help documentation.

   Then set the following properties:

   • InitiateOAuth: GETANDREFRESH. Used to automatically get and refresh the OAuthAccessToken.
   • OAuthClientId: The client Id assigned when you registered your application.
   • OAuthClientSecret: The client secret that was assigned when you registered your application.
   • CallbackURL: The redirect URI that was defined when you registered your application.

   When you connect, the driver opens Oracle Eloqua Reporting's OAuth endpoint in your default browser. Log in and grant permissions to the application. When the access token expires, the driver refreshes it automatically.

   OAuth Authentication (Password Grant Flow)

   With the OAuth password grant flow, you can use your OAuth application's credentials alongside your user credentials to authenticate without the need to grant permission manually via a browser prompt. You must create an OAuth app (see the Help documentation) to use this authentication method.

   Set the following properties:

   • AuthScheme: OAuthPassword
   • Company: The company's unique identifier.
   • User: Your login account name.
   • Password: Your login password.
   • OAuthClientId: The client Id assigned when you registered your custom OAuth application.
   • OAuthClientSecret: The client secret assigned when you registered your custom OAuth application.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

   For assistance in constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the Oracle Eloqua Reporting JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.oracleeloquareporting.jar
   

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

   

   When you configure the JDBC URL, you may also want to set the Max Rows connection property. This will limit the number of rows returned, which is especially helpful for improving performance when designing reports and visualizations.

   Below is a typical JDBC connection string for Oracle Eloqua Reporting:

   jdbc:oracleeloquareporting:AuthScheme=Basic;User=user;Password=password;Company=MyCompany;
   
   

8. Set the Driver Name: cdata.jdbc.oracleeloquareporting.OracleEloquaReportingDriver and click Save.

NOTE: Since authentication to Oracle Eloqua Reporting is managed from the connection string, you can leave Security Credentials blank.

Configure Oracle Eloqua Reporting Data Objects

Now that the connection is configured, we are ready to configure the schema for the dataset, choosing the tables, views, and columns we wish to visualize.

1. Select the Schema (e.g. OracleEloquaReporting).
2. Click on Tables and/or Views to connect to those entities and click Apply.
3. Select the Tables and Columns you want to access and click Done.

With the objects configured, you can perform any data preparation and discover any relationships in your data using the Pronto Prepare and Relate tools.

Build a Visualization

After you prepare your data and define relationships between the connected objects, you are ready to build your visualization.

1. Select the Visualizer tool from the menu.

2. Select Measures & Categories from your objects
3. Select and configure the appropriate visualization for the Measure(s) you selected.

Using the CData JDBC Driver for Oracle Eloqua Reporting with the Cloud Agent and Birst, you can easily create robust visualizations and reports on Oracle Eloqua Reporting data. Download a free, 30-day trial and start building Birst visualizations today.