Getting started with databases in Acoustic Campaign

An Acoustic Campaign database contains contact information used for emails and email suppression. Databases can be created, imported, or queried for targeting.

Additionally, you can create up to 400 fields in any combination of field types, this includes system and custom fields. Custom fields contain or collect other useful data about contacts, such as name, account number, preferences, emails, and links clicked.

You can create databases by:

Importing a database
Copying an existing database
Creating a new database

You can also:

Update an existing database
Use Acoustic Campaign features to maintain your database

Database types in Acoustic Campaign

There are two types of databases: flexible databases and restricted. You can choose your database based on your business needs.

Flexible databases

Flexible databases are the default when creating a database. Flexible databases are required for SMS, Mobile App Messages, CRM, and are strongly recommended for Acoustic Exchange customers. Select the database field(s) that you want to sync when adding or updating contacts. With flexible databases, when selecting a sync field during the import process, the Email field is checked by default.

Flexible databases are based on flat files. When you import the flat file, Acoustic Campaign stores entries in one table. For each key (email address or other ID) Acoustic Campaign creates one record in one table row with many columns (fields). The flat file table holds up to 400 fields in any combination of field types, this includes system and custom fields. Moreover, each database is limited to a total of 400 columns of any type (400 columns for each entry row). Flat files tend to duplicate information in many different fields, which can sometimes create inaccuracies, slow searches, and merging files can sometimes present difficulties in maintaining information, headings, and data types. An update to a flat file may require entering the same data in multiple fields.

Advantages of flat files are that they can conveniently be exported, emailed, and used in simple database programs like Excel, and the information can be read by display or in print. A flat file is also good for unstructured data, like paragraphs of text. Flat files require less planning and new column titles can easily be added.

Restricted databases

A restricted database requires that you select a unique identifier. The field that you select as your unique identifier is required when adding or updating contacts. Typically, a unique identifier is Email; however, it can be changed to a different field.

Relational databases can use multiple tables and contain indexes that create a 'one to many' relationship between data in one file and many others. In Acoustic Campaign, these are called relational tables.

Relational tables can be associated with multiple databases. Updating just one table makes it very easy to update several databases that reference some of the same information.

To set up relational tables for use, you define one or more record fields as a key (such as email address or ID) to identify (connect) data in various tables. This makes possible faster search queries, and table records can be more easily joined or displayed.

The following are always restricted:

Suppression lists: When selecting to import a Suppression list, the system automatically changes the selection to restricted database and disables the flexible database option.
Relational tables: When selecting to import a relational table, the system automatically changes the selection to restricted database and disables the flexible database option.

If you have questions, contact Client Support

Advantages to relational database files are that they enable updating in only one field, and information accuracy is easier to maintain. Tables can sometimes be remote from each other. Structured data that has organization and data types works well with linking in a relational database and works more quickly with queries, partly because information is indexed. Relational databases require more planning.

Contact Client Support for more information on using relational tables.

Terms you should know

Contact sources / databases	Contact sources / databases include names and email addresses, and typically include additional information like account numbers, customer preferences, and past activity. These databases are called double opt-in and single opt-in databases. Double opt-in databases require email confirmations.
Relational tables	Relational tables are a relational-type database for use with databases, instead of a flat file database. Contact your Acoustic Campaign account representative or Acoustic Campaign Client Services & Support for more information.
Test lists	Tests lists are used for testing the response to a email before sending the email to the entire list.
Seed lists	Seed lists indicate the coverage of an email by including certain contacts and help provide organizational consistency.
Suppression lists	Suppression Lists prevent sending emails to addresses of people who have opted-out, filed an abuse claim, or have an undeliverable mailbox (bad email address).
Query database	Query database (targeted database) sorts a database into targeted subgroups. Similarly, segments sort a database into numeric divisions for more manageable emails and responses.
Double opt-in database	If you select double opt-in as the database type, then you can be certain who registers an email and name on a database as an opt-in. When an opt-in is received, Acoustic Campaign automatically sends a confirmation email to the contact email address. If the contact responds, then Acoustic Campaign adds the email address to the database.
Creating database	Databases can be fully created in Acoustic Campaign, including adding fields for storing relevant information, such as contact profiles and preferences, that users can update themselves.
Importing	You can import your own database and database data into Acoustic Campaign to create a new database or update an existing database. Your existing fields can be preserved or saved in existing Acoustic Campaign fields.
Collecting information and tracking	New information, such as contact preferences and recent click activity, can be added through Acoustic Campaign. Convenient web forms can be used to enable contacts to update their own information.
Managing databases	Acoustic Campaign has a range of versatile options that allow for complete database management. In addition to adding contacts to a database, databases can be deleted, purged, imported, recurring imported, exported, renamed, and merged. Databases can be in Private folders for private use, or in Shared folders for organization use. Inactive databases can be archived automatically.
Targeting	To conveniently target contacts using any information in the database, use queries. For example, contacts who have recently clicked a link or purchased certain items can be sorted for relevant interests, and then you can send new emails to them. Additionally, segmenting can break a database into smaller subgroups for more manageable emails. You can also use reporting tools that collect field data in marketing data segments and look at responses or create related queries to assist in targeting.