Managing attributes

Adding an attribute

To add an attribute to your data mapping:

  1. In Orbit connect, go to Data Mappings.

  2. Click + New Data Mapping.

  3. Click Create under Customer Data Table.

  4. Give your data mapping a Name then click Create.

  5. Select your data source from the Data Source dropdown.

  6. In the column mapping section to the left, find your custom data that can’t easily be mapped to existing contact points.

  7. Click Map Column and select which standard contact point you want to add an attribute to.

  8. Scroll down to the Attributes folder and click the +.

    In this example we’re mapping a numeric source ID from another system.

    Note: You can expand any Attributes folder if you have already defined some.

  9. Enter an Attribute Name.

  10. Select or create a folder to organise your attribute.

    Note: Folders determine where your attribute appears in the data model hierarchy of your Orbit system. For example, creating a 'Personal Details' folder places your attributes under Individuals > Personal Details.

  11. Select the Data Type from the dropdown:

    • Selector

    • Date

    • DateTime

    • Numeric

    • Text

    • Currency

  12. Click Add.

    Your new attribute appears in the dropdown when mapping future columns.

    Tip: To update the name, folder, or data type of an existing attribute, expand the Customer Data Model dropdown next to your column, then click the pencil icon next to your attribute.

You’ve now created a new attribute in your customer data model.

You can now run a system build and deploy to make your attribute data available in audience selections and other areas of your Orbit system.

Use attributes in audience selection

Once you've created and imported your attributes data into your Orbit system, you can use them to build audiences. Attributes function like standard fields, allowing you to filter, segment, and analyse your data.

To access attributes in audience selection:

  1. In your Orbit system, go to Audiences.

  2. Click + New Audience and give it a name. See Creating an audience.

  3. Click + Add Filter.

  4. Expand the relevant data point folder, for example, Individuals.

  5. Locate your custom folder, for example, Personal Details or System Attributes.

  6. Select the attribute variable you want to use in your criteria.

You can now use this attribute field in your audience selection process.

Best practices

  • Group related attributes together, for example, Pet Information, Personal Details to make them easier to find and maintain.

  • Select the correct data type when creating attributes. This ensures proper storage and enables appropriate filtering options in audience selection.

  • Before creating a new attribute, check whether a standard field already exists. Use attributes only for data that doesn't fit the standard model.