Data Standardization is a foundational step in setting up your 6sense environment. It involves mapping your CRM/MAP fields to standard 6sense fields to ensure consistency, accuracy, and usability of your data across the platform. This mapping is crucial because all core 6sense capabilities are impacted by it, including
Dashboards
Account-Based Marketing (ABM)
Segments
Sales Intelligence Timeline
Predictive Models
Without proper standardization, downstream features may produce incomplete or inaccurate results due to data mismatches or inconsistencies. By configuring data standardisation during onboarding (or updating it when changes are made to your CRM/MAP), you ensure that your integrations run smoothly and your insights reflect your true business reality in the 6sense platform.
Best Practices:
To get the most out of our Data Standardization tool, be sure to:
Verify that all necessary integrations are active before starting the standardization process.
Confirm that all required objects are published and configured correctly.
Thoroughly review and validate field mappings to maintain data integrity.
Regularly check the audit trail to track changes and maintain compliance.
Collaborate with your team to ensure consistency in data standardization practices.
Continuously monitor and update mappings as your data requirements evolve.
Step 1: Verify Integration Activation
Before you begin, verify that all of your CRM and MAP integrations are active (look for the green “Active” label next to each integration). Then click on the respective CRM or MAP box to proceed with data standardization.
Step 2: Confirm Object Publication Status
To ensure seamless data standardization, confirm that all required Salesforce objects are published. To confirm that an object is published, check that the “Status” column for the object displays a “Published” status.
If you are visiting for the first time and the object is already published, 6sense has automatically configured the object for you. You only need to review the mapping.
To review the mapping for an object, click on “View” at the right end of its row.
Ensure that the mappings for both the “Required Objects” and “Optional Objects” match your organization’s needs.
Step 3: Review Mapped Fields
Review all mapped fields to ensure that they are correctly connected to Salesforce and 6sense.
Check each mapping to verify that all fields are properly accounted for.
Look for the “Mapping Verification” checkmark to confirm the accuracy of the mapping.
If necessary, you may adjust the mapping fields by clicking on the Edit Draft button.
Step 4: Execute and Verify Data Mappings
Apply the mappings and transfer data from CRM/MAP to 6sense.
Scroll down and select Review Field Mapping.
Compare the 6sense field data with your expectations to identify any discrepancies.
Confirm that the data matches the corresponding entries for each field.
If any fields require changes, click on the Edit Draft button and make the necessary adjustments. Then save your changes and review the mappings again to verify the accuracy of each field and address any discrepancies or custom requirements.
Step 5: Finalize and Publish Your Mappings
Once all steps on the left sidebar are green, you are ready to publish your mappings.
Inspect the “Fill Rate” and “First 10 Row Values” fields for each object to gauge completeness and accuracy.
Review the data to ensure it matches your expectations.
If all data looks accurate, click on the Publish button to finalize the process.
A confirmation message will appear to verify that you are ready to publish. By publishing, you confirm that the integration between CRM/MAP and 6sense reflects the true state of your data and can be relied upon for further processing.
Click on the Publish button to publish the mapping or Cancel to return to the configuration menu.
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Step 6: Review Changes via the Audit Trail
After publishing, click on View Audit Trail to access a detailed record of your changes.
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You may use the audit trail to track your recent publications and maintain a clear change log.
If you’re working in a team environment, it’s a good idea to regularly check the audit trail to ensure the integrity of your data standardization processes.
FAQ
Below are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about data standardization.
Q: Why do I need to standardize my data?
A: Standardizing your data is crucial for accurate and efficient data analysis. When data is not standardized, it can lead to inconsistencies and errors in reporting, making it difficult to make informed business decisions. Standardization ensures that your data is consistent and reliable, providing a solid foundation for analysis.
Q: How do I know if my data has been standardized?
A: An object with standardized data will be labeled as “Published.” If the object’s data is not yet configured, then you’ll see a Configure button instead.
Q: How does standardizing my data impact my reporting and analysis?
A: Standardizing your data can have a significant impact on your reporting and analysis. It makes it easier to compare data from different sources, identify trends and patterns, and make informed decisions. Standardization also reduces the likelihood of errors and inconsistencies in your data.
Q: Can I customize the standardization process to fit my specific needs?
A: Yes, you can include custom objects or fields. Please discuss your requirements with our product consultants.
Q: What happens if I need to change or update my data after it has been standardized?
A: You can change or update your data as needed; just be sure that any changes you make are consistent with the standardization rules you’ve already established. If you’re uncertain on this score, contact our support team for guidance.
Q: How can I optimize my data for better standardization results?
A: Here are some optimization tips:
Review and modify mappings: During the onboarding process, 6sense will have already analyzed and standardized your data; however, you can achieve better results by reviewing the mappings and making any necessary changes. This will help ensure the accuracy of the standardization process and improve the quality of your data.
Regularly review and update your standardization rules: Review your standardization rules often to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
Q: What are the various features in Data Standardization that I can use?
A: Data Standardization is a powerful tool that can help customers ensure that their data is accurate, consistent, and standardized. Here are some of the features that customers can use to get the most out of Data Standardization:
6sense Recommended Mappings: This feature suggests mappings based on our 6sense best practices. These can be accepted or modified to ensure accurate standardization of the data according to your needs.
Data Preview: The data preview feature on the mapping page allows you to verify the object’s current mappings before you publish it. This can help you identify and correct any potential issues or errors in advance, ensuring that your data is standardized correctly.
Audit Log: This functionality allows users to track and view all changes made to the mappings and formulas of an object. These include who made the changes, when the changes were made, and what the previous and current values are. This can help you identify any unauthorized changes and ensure that your data is always accurate.
Fill Rate and Unique Values: The statistical data points available at the field level include fill rate and unique values. Fill rate refers to the percentage of non-null values in a field while unique values are the number of unique values in it. These data points can be useful in understanding the completeness and uniqueness of the data in a specific field.
Unpublish/Discard Draft: Unpublishing mappings or discarding a draft will revert the object’s mappings and formulas to the previously published version OR discard any changes made in a draft version. This can help you quickly undo any changes that were made in error or that do not meet your organization’s standards.