AJO to create file to be sent to SFTP for Direct Mail - design thoughts?

[ChetanyaJain]

How do we send Direct Mail using JO/AJO? Direct Mail generally requires files to be created on a daily basis. 

Here are some questions/ thoughts:

• Export audience from AJO to create a dataset in AEP and then create a segment and activate this dataset to SFTP?
• Use the Update Profile step to update each action to be taken back at the Profile level and create a segment to use these fields to activate?
• If "update profile" is used, the number of fields is likely to grow depending on the number of campaigns, brands, etc - so any best practices to create this?
• What are the other options that will be supported to manage this efficiently, if the consumer doesn't support APIs? 
• Remember activation will be required from AJO - activation to other channels like social -> so is it good to do it from AJO or go via AEP?

Appreciate it if anyone has any input or thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Chetanya

[Denis_Bozonnet · Accepted solution]

Hi @ChetanyaJain 

It's a tricky one indeed, although AJO does not propose Direct Mail as a Channel. AEP does of course support SFTP as a destination.

The way you describe it should work, however since Update Profile does not support Experience Event, it means a Profile could be only in a single Direct Mail at any point of time... or at least until the file has been pushed to the SFTP, then the profile could be put back in a DM journey. the Profile would have to have all the possible fields required by the print house.

I wonder if using a custom action and a new end point would be a better approach, the end point will take from the journey the information to send to the print house (context elements from the journey, documents to print, any campaign identifiers, etc...), the endpoint will then be able to generate an experience event and from there, you would build a segment that you would push a SFTP destination.

This approach is very similar to yours and has the benefit to have the DM communication as an Experience Event....

Until AJO provides a full support for SFTP type of channel, it might be your only options.

Hope this helps,

Thanks

Denis

[ChetanyaJain]

Thank you @Denis_Bozonnet. Will check if anyone has implemented in any other way and would like to give some ideas?

[Ivan_Mironchuk]

Hi @ChetanyaJain we are working on a direct mail channel for AJO. If you have direct mail needs please reach out to me so that we can discuss timelines and requirements. 

Thanks!

[ChetanyaJain]

Hi @Ivan_Mironchuk we have JO being used, will it work for that as well or it's only for AJO?

[Ivan_Mironchuk]

Only AJO at this time. Please message me directly the customer.