Building Conditions and Queries in the BEA E-Business Control Center

 

This topic is a central point of reference for information about building conditions and queries in the BEA E-Business Control Center. The sections in this topic are not meant to be read in sequence, but rather, are pieces of information or instructions that you will use in the context of other tasks. These tasks may be used when defining customer segments, running a query for content selectors, or adding scenarios to your promotional campaigns. (Queries search your content management system for documents based on a set of criteria that you specify.)

This topic includes the following sections:

• Listing of the Available Conditions

• Using the Select Customer Segments Window

• Using the Properties and Property Values Windows

• Using the Select Events Window

• Using the Date/Time Entry Dialog Boxes

• Using the Quantity Selector or Currency Selector Dialog Boxes

• Using the Select Operator Dialog Box

• Using the Enter SKU Numbers or Enter Categories Windows

• Using the Enter a Range Dialog Box

• Constructing Queries

 

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Listing of the Available Conditions

The E-Business Control Center provides you with a number of conditions you can use to customize your e-marketing efforts. Depending on what you are trying to accomplish in the E-Business Control Center, you may encounter some or all of the conditions described in Table 3-1.

Table 3-1 Descriptions of Conditions

Condition	Description
The visitor is a member of a predefined customer segment	If the visitor to your Web site belongs to a predefined customer segment, execute the specified action. For example, if the customer is a Gold Customer (customer segment), give the customer a 15% discount (action).
The visitor has specific characteristics	If a visitor's characteristics are compared to values you specify and those comparisons evaluate to true, execute a specified action. For example, if the customer's salary (characteristic) is greater than or equal to (comparison) $50,000 (value), send the customer an e-mail (action).
The HTTP session has specific properties	If the HTTP session's properties are compared to values you specify and those comparisons evaluate to true, execute a specified action. An HTTP session is information your organization may want to track about a visitor's browsing session on the Web site. There are no properties for the HTTP session in the E-Business Control Center out-of-the-box.
An HTTP request has specific properties	If the HTTP request's properties are compared to values you specify and those comparisons evaluate to true, execute a specified action. There are properties for the HTTP request in the E-Business Control Center out-of-the-box.
An event has occurred	If a specified event occurs, execute the specified action. For example, if the customer has logged in (event), display an ad that matches their interests (action). Events may be selected from a number of predefined event types.
An event has specific characteristics	If the event's characteristics are compared to values you specify and those comparisons evaluate to true, execute a specified action. For example, if a customer adds more than 5 items to their shopping cart (event), give the customer a 10% discount (action).
The date is	If the current date is equal to the one you specify, execute a specified action. For example, if the date is equal to July 22, 2001, send customers an e-mail about an upcoming sale (action). The current date refers to the date at the point that the condition is evaluated for a given user visiting the Web site.
It is after a given date	If the current date is after a date you specify, execute a specified action. For example, if the date is after December 18, 2000, offer customers a discount (action). The current date refers to the date at the point that the condition is evaluated for a given user visiting the Web site.
It is after a given date and time	If the current date and time is after a date and time you specify, execute a specified action. For example, if the date and time is after July 22, 2001 at 3 p.m., send customers an e-mail about an upcoming sale (action). The current date and time refers to the date and time at the point that the condition is evaluated for a given user visiting the Web site.
It is between two times	If the current time falls within a range of times you specify, execute a specified action. For example, if the time is between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., offer customers a discount (action). The current time refers to the time at the point that the condition is evaluated for a given user visiting the Web site.
It is between two dates	If the current date falls within a range of dates you specify, execute the specified action. For example, if the date is between December 18, 2000 and December 18, 2001, show customers a sale ad (action). The current date refers to the date at the point that the condition is evaluated for a given user visiting the Web site.
It is between two dates/times	If the current date and time falls within a range of dates and times you specify, execute the specified action. For example, if the date and time is between July 22, 2000 at 3 p.m. and July 22, 2001 at 3 p.m., show customers a sale ad (action). The range of dates is inclusive. The current date and time refers to the date and time at the point that the condition is evaluated for a given user visiting the Web site.
There is a specific item in the shopping cart	If an item you specify exists in the customer's shopping cart, execute the specified action. For example, if the customer has an item with a SKU equal to T144 in their shopping cart, give the customer a 10% discount (action).
There is an item from a given category in the shopping cart	If an item from a product category you specify exists in the customer's shopping cart, execute the specified action. For example, if the customer has an item from Books (product category) in their shopping cart, give the customer a 10% discount (action).
The value of items in the shopping cart is a certain amount	If the value of the items in a customer's shopping cart meets the criteria you specify, execute the specified action. For example, if the customer has $100 worth (value) of items in their shopping cart, send them a Thank You e-mail (action).
A random number falls within a given range	If a random number associated with a visitor falls between 1 and a value you specify (up to 100), execute this action. For example, if you specify a number between 1 and 50, the action will be executed for approximately 50% of the visitor population.

 

 

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Using the Select Customer Segments Window

When you click the [customer segment] hyperlink, the Select Customer Segments window opens. Figure 3-1 shows the Select Customer Segments window.

Figure 3-1 Select Customer Segments Window

 

1. Click a customer segment name shown in the Available Segments list to select it. The customer segment is highlighted.

2. Click Add. The customer segment moves to the Selected Segments list.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each customer segment you want to add.

   Note: If you make a mistake, click a customer segment name shown in the Selected Segments list to select it, then click Remove.

4. Click OK. The Select Customer Segments window closes, and the [customer segment] hyperlink changes to reflect the customer segment(s) you specified.

 

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Using the Properties and Property Values Windows

Many items in the E-Business Control Center can be described by their characteristics or properties. For example, visitors to the site, content to be shown to visitors, and events that represent visitor behavior can all be described in terms of their properties. Related properties are grouped together for convenience into property sets. Objects in the E-Business Control Center may have one or more property sets associated with them. For example, visitors may have one set of properties pertaining to general information, such as their address, and another set of properties pertaining to demographic information, such as their gender.

The windows where you describe E-Business Control Center objects by way of their properties are generically referred to as Properties windows. Using the Properties windows, and their associated Property Values windows, you can build Descriptors that describe an object of interest. The Descriptor is comprised of a property phrase and a value phrase.

For example, you may be interested in targeting an e-mail to customers whose income range is $75,000-$99,000. The Descriptor created in an E-Business Control Center Properties window would be:

Demographics: Income_Range is equal to "$75,000-$99,000."

Demographics is the property set in which you would find the Income_Range property, Is Equal is the comparison, and "$75,000=$99,000" is the value. Together, the property set and property form the following Property Phrase:

Demographics: Income_Range

Together, the comparison and the value form the following Value Phrase:

is equal to "$75,000-$99,000."

When you click the [characteristics] or [properties] hyperlinks, a Properties window opens. Figure 3-2 is an example of a Properties window.

Figure 3-2 Properties Window

 

1. Select a property set from the Property Set drop-down list, and a property from the Property drop-down list.

   Note: The E-Business Control Center includes some values for the Property Set and Property lists. However, additional Property Sets and Properties may be defined by your organization's Commerce Business Engineer (CBE) or other technical resource.

2. Click Add. A Property-Values window opens, as shown in Figure 3-3.

   Figure 3-3 Property-Values Window

   
    

3. Select a comparison from the Comparison drop-down list, and a value from the Value drop-down list.

   Warning: It may be possible to construct value phrases that are not reasonable in real world situations. Be sure to select a comparison and value that makes sense for the property set and property you previously selected.

4. Click Add. The value phrase you specified appears in the Value Phrases list box, as shown in Figure 3-4.

   Figure 3-4 Value Phrases List Box

   
    

5. If desired, add more value phrases by repeating steps 3 and 4. If you add multiple value phrases, select a Multiple Value Phrases option to specify whether you want to match any or all of the value phrases you specify. If you only specify one value phrase, you can skip the Multiple Value Phrases option.

   Note: If you need to remove a value phrases, click on the value phrases in the Value Phrases list box to select it, then click Remove.

6. Click OK. The Property-Value window closes, and the descriptor(s) appear in the Descriptors list box of the Properties window, as shown in Figure 3-5.

   Figure 3-5 Descriptors List Box

   
    

7. If desired, repeat steps 2 through 6 to specify multiple descriptors.

8. Click OK. The Properties window closes, and the [characteristics] and/or [properties] hyperlinks change to reflect the descriptors you specified.

 

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Using the Select Events Window

When you click the [event name] hyperlink, the Select Events window opens. Figure 3-6 shows the Select Events window.

Figure 3-6 Select Events Window

 

1. Click an event name shown in the Available Events list to select it. A description of the event is shown in the Event Description text area.

2. Click Add. The event moves to the Selected Events list.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each event you want to add.

   Note: If you make a mistake, click an event name shown in the Selected Events list to select it, then click Remove.

4. Click OK. The Select Events window closes, and the [event name] hyperlink changes to reflect the event(s) you specified.

 

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Using the Date/Time Entry Dialog Boxes

When you click one of the generic date or time related hyperlinks, one of the date/time entry dialog boxes opens. Simply type in the date and/or time in the appropriate field, then click OK. When you do so, the date/time entry dialog box closes, and the generic hyperlinks change to reflect the dates and/or times you specified.

Tip: For dates, you can either type in the date, or click the drop-down calendar to select the date, as shown in Figure 3-7. Just click a date to select it.

Figure 3-7 Date Calendar

 

 

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Using the Quantity Selector or Currency Selector Dialog Boxes

When you click the [n] hyperlink, a Quantity Selector dialog box opens. When you click the [monetary amount] hyperlink, a similar dialog box, called Currency Selector opens. Figure 3-8 shows the Quantity Selector dialog box.

Figure 3-8 Quantity Selector Dialog Box

 

Note: A default value may be shown in the field.

1. If desired, type a new value into the field.

2. Click OK. The Quantity Selector or Currency Selector dialog box closes, and the [n] or [monetary amount] hyperlinks change to reflect the value you specified.

 

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Using the Select Operator Dialog Box

When you click the Equal To hyperlink, a Select Operator dialog box opens. Figure 3-9 shows the Select Operator dialog box.

Figure 3-9 Select Operator Dialog Box

 

Note: A default value of Is Equal To is highlighted, which is why the hyperlinked Equal To text you clicked on to open the dialog box was not enclosed in brackets.

1. If desired, click a new value in the Operators list to select it.

2. Click OK. The Select Operator dialog box closes, and the hyperlink changes to reflect the value you specified.

 

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Using the Enter SKU Numbers or Enter Categories Windows

When you click the [sku] hyperlink, an Enter SKU Numbers window opens. When you click the [product category] hyperlink, a similar window, called Enter Categories opens. Figure 3-10 shows the Enter SKU Numbers window.

Figure 3-10 Enter SKU Numbers Window

 

1. Enter a SKU number or product category into the field.

   Note: Be sure you obtain the exact SKU number or product category from those who maintain your product catalog and that you enter them correctly.

2. Click Add. The SKU number or product category you entered appears in the list.

   Note: If you make a mistake, click the SKU number or product category in the list to select it, then click Remove.

3. If desired, repeat step 2 to add multiple SKU numbers or multiple product categories.

4. If you add multiple SKUs or product categories, select a Multiple SKUs or Multiple Categories option. That is, specify whether the condition is met if Any or All of the SKU numbers (or product categories) exist in the customer's shopping cart.

   So, for example, if you specified SKU number T144 and SKU number D128 and you selected the Any option, customers with either of these SKU numbers in their shopping cart would meet the conditions. If you selected the All option, customers with both of these SKU numbers in their shopping cart would meet the conditions.

5. Click OK. The Enter SKU Number or Enter Categories window closes, and the [sku] or [product category] hyperlinks change to reflect the value(s) you specified.

 

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Using the Enter a Range Dialog Box

When you click the [x] or [y] hyperlinks, the Enter a Range dialog box (shown in Figure 3-11) opens.

Figure 3-11 Enter a Range Dialog Box

 

1. Enter a value for the range start. You can enter a value between 1 and 99.

2. Enter a value for the range end. You can enter a value between 2 and 100.

3. Click OK. The Enter a Range dialog box closes, and the [x] and [y] hyperlinks change to reflect the start and end values you specified.

 

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Constructing Queries

To create ad placeholders, scenario actions, and content selectors that find and display documents, you must construct queries. Queries search your content management system for documents that you describe. You can describe documents in the following ways:

• By comparing a document property to a value or range of values.

  For example, you want to display ads for ACME mutual funds in an ad placeholder. Your content management system uses a property named productName to indicate the name of the mutual fund that a document advertises. You construct a query that finds all documents for which the productName property contains ACME.

• By comparing a document property with a property of some other object. (This type of descriptor is available only for queries that content selectors and scenario actions run.)

  For example, you want a content selector to display documents that describe investing in mutual funds. Your content management system uses a document property called investorRiskLevel to identify whether a document describes an investment that is aggressive, moderate, or conservative. Your customer profiles also include a property called investorRiskLevel to indicate whether a customer prefers aggressive, moderate, or conservative investments. You construct a query that finds all documents for which the investorRiskLevel property contains a value that is equal to the value of a customer's investorRiskLevel property.

For content selectors and scenario actions, you can also combine the two types of descriptors in a single query. For example, you can create a query for a content selector that finds documents that advertise ACME mutual funds and that match a customer's investment-risk profile.

To construct queries, do the following:

1. Select a Document Property.

2. Do one or more of the following:

   • Describe Documents by Comparing the Property to a Value or Range of Values

   • Describe Documents by Comparing the Property with the Properties of Other Objects

3. Specify How to Handle Multiple Value Phrases and Descriptors.

4. Preview the Query Results.

You can search for multiple document properties by repeating steps 1 through 3.

Select a Document Property

You select document properties in the Ad Search window or the Content Search window, depending on whether you are creating an ad placeholder, scenario action, or content selector. The E-Business Control Center displays the Ad/Content Search window when you do any of the following:

• Click New in the Placeholder Editor

• Click the hypertext link in "Show the results of this [empty ad search]..." under Action in the New Ad Action Editor. The New Ad Action Editor displays as part of creating a campaign scenario, and is available only with BEA Campaign Manager for WebLogic Server.

• Click the hypertext link in "Show the results of this [empty content search]" under Action in the Content Selector window.

In the Ad/Content Search window, do the following:

1. From the Property Set list, select the property set that contains the properties you use to describe documents.

2. From the Property list, select a document property. (See Figure 3-12.)

   For example, you are constructing a query for an ad placeholder. Your content management system uses a property named productName to indicate the name of the product that a document advertises. To search for an ad based on the name of the product it advertises, click productName from the Property list.

   Figure 3-12 Select a Property for an Ad Placeholder

   
    

3. Click Add to open the Ad/Content Search Values window.

4. Do one or more of the following:

   • Describe Documents by Comparing the Property to a Value or Range of Values

   • Describe Documents by Comparing the Property with the Properties of Other Objects (This type of comparison is available only for queries that content selectors and scenario actions run.)

Describe Documents by Comparing the Property to a Value or Range of Values

To find documents by comparing the document property with a value or range of values, do the following:

1. From the Ad/Content Search Values window, do one of the following:

   • If you are constructing a query for a content selector or a scenario action, click the Values tab. (See Figure 3-13.)

   • If you are constructing a query for an ad placeholder, the Ad Search Values window does not contain tabs. Skip this step and go to step 2.

2. From the Comparison list, choose a comparator.

3. In the Value box, select or enter a value. (Depending on the property that you are comparing, the Value box might contain a list of values for you to select.)

   For example, to find documents in your content management system that advertise ACME products, select Is Equal To from the Comparison list. Then enter ACME in the Value list.

4. Click Add.

5. Do one of the following:

   • To compare the document property with additional values, repeat steps 2 through 4.

   • If you are constructing a query for a content selector or a scenario action and you want to compare the document property with the properties of other objects, go to Describe Documents by Comparing the Property with the Properties of Other Objects.

   • To select another document property, click OK and go to Select a Document Property.

   • To complete the query construction, go to Specify How to Handle Multiple Value Phrases and Descriptors.

     Figure 3-13 The Values Tab for Content-Selector Queries

     
      

Describe Documents by Comparing the Property with the Properties of Other Objects

If you are constructing a query for a scenario action or a content selector, you can find documents by comparing the document property with the properties of other objects. To construct such a query, do the following:

1. From the Ad/Content Search Values window, click the Properties tab.

2. From the Comparison list, choose a comparator.

3. From the Property Set Type list, choose the type of object that you want to compare.

   If you are constructing a query for a scenario action, you can compare the document property with a user, session, request, or event property.

   If you are constructing a query for a content selector, you can compare the document property with a user, session, or request property.

   For example, you created a document property called investorRiskLevel to identify whether a document describes an investment that is aggressive, moderate, or conservative. Your customer profiles also include a property called investorRiskLevel to indicate whether a customer prefers aggressive, moderate, or conservative investments. To create a content selector query that matches documents with a customer's investment-risk preference, in the Content Search window, you select the investorRiskLevel document property. In the Content Search Values window, you click the Properties tab. From the Comparison list, select Is Equal To. Then from the Property Set Type list, select User. (See Figure 3-14.)

4. From the Property Set list, choose the property set that contains the properties of the object that you want to compare.

   For example, if you place the investorRiskLevel user property in a property set named InvestmentProfile, then choose InvestmentProfile from the Property Set list.

5. From the Property list, choose a property.

6. Click Add.

7. Do one of the following:

   • To compare the document property with additional object properties, repeat steps 1 through 6.

   • To select another document property, click OK and return to Select a Document Property.

   • To complete the query construction, go to Specify How to Handle Multiple Value Phrases and Descriptors.

     Figure 3-14 Find Documents by Comparing the Properties of a User

     
      

Specify How to Handle Multiple Value Phrases and Descriptors

1. If you created multiple comparisons, in the Ad/Content Search Values window, under For Multiple Value Phrases, choose one of the following:

   • Qualifying Items May Match ANY Value Phrase if the property value phrase must match at least one of the value phrases.

   • Qualifying Items Must Match ALL Value Phrases if the phrase must match each of the value phrases.

2. In the Ad/Content Search Values window, click OK.

3. To create additional comparisons, click Add and return to Select a Document Property.

4. If you created multiple descriptors, from the Ad/Content Search window, under For Multiple Descriptors, choose one of the following:

   • Qualifying Items May Match ANY Descriptor if the property value phrase must match at least one of the descriptors.

   • Qualifying Items Must Match ALL Descriptors if the phrase must match each of the descriptors.

5. In the Ad/Content Search window, do either of the following:

   • Preview the Query Results

   • Click OK to finish constructing the query.

Preview the Query Results

To run the query and see the documents that it finds, do the following:

1. In the Ad/Content Search window click Preview.

   The E-Business Control Center prompts you for a user ID.

2. In the Enter the User ID window, enter the ID of a customer (or a sample customer) who represents a specific set of customer properties. Then click OK.

   For example, you want to see the documents that the query returns for customers with a conservative investment profile. The customer profile for Pat Gomes specifies a conservative investment profile, so you enter Pat's ID.

   Note: You must enter a user ID, regardless of the type of condition that activates a placeholder, scenario action, or content selector.

   The E-Business Control Center runs the query and displays the results in your default browser. (See Figure 3-15.)

   The top pane displays the query and the left pane displays the names of the ads that the query finds.

3. To see a document in your browser, click the name of the document in the left pane.

   The right pane of your browser displays the document.

   Note: WebLogic Commerce Server and Personalization Server create a short-lived cache that stores the results of a query. If you add or modify documents in your content management system and then immediately redo the query preview, you might not see the results of your modifications. If this occurs, wait several minutes and then retry the query preview.

   Figure 3-15 Query Preview in the Browser

   
    

4. In the Ad/Content Search window, you can either modify the query or click OK to finish constructing the query.