The document presents a guide on managing user data with xDB, covering prerequisites like MongoDB installation and tools like Robomongo. It details the process of extending the data model, managing xDB session states, and strategies for loading and saving data during user requests. Additional tips emphasize the importance of creating extensions, understanding contact merging, and using Solr for analytics indexing.

1. Managing your
user data with xDB
Ruud van Falier
ParTech IT
ruud@partechit.nl / @BrruuD
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 1

2. Topics
• Prerequisites
• Extending the data model
• xDB Session State
• Loading & saving data
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 2

3. Prerequisites
• Install MongoDB
• Teach yourself some MongoDB!
http://docs.mongodb.org/manual/
• Get RoboMongo (it’s free!):
http://robomongo.org/
• Get the RoboMongo UUIDHelper:
https://github.com/mongodb/mongo-csharp-driver/blob/master/uuidhelpers.js
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 3

4. Extending the data model
• Contacts
• Facets / Elements
• Manipulating the Contact object
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 4

5. xDB Session State
• Private vs Shared
• InProc vs OutProc
• Contact data is loaded into a SessionContext (shared session)
• Manipulation is done in the SessionContext (shared session)
• SessionContext is flushed to MongoDB on session end
• Working directly on MongoDB is not adviced
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 5

6. Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 6

7. Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 7
User visits the site
Load contact from
MongoDB
Contact exists in
shared session?
Load contact from
shared session
Store contact in
shared session
false

8. Loading & saving data (during a request)
• Anonymous Contact
• Load Contact into shared session during a request
Sitecore.Analytics.Tracker.Current
.Session.Identify(uid);
• Saving occurs in session
• Session is flushed to MongoDB
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 8

9. Loading & saving data (e.g. during import)
• Tracker.Current is null
• Load Contact directly from MongoDB (no shared session, readonly)
• Load Contact from shared session or from MongoDB into shared
session (TryLoadContact)
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 9

10. Tips
• Start with a POC
• Create extension methods & abstractions
• Reflector is your friend
• Not discussed, but important when working with xDB:
Contact merging, Analytics index, Processing framework
• Do not underestimate the complexity
• Use SOLR for your Analytics index
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 10

11. Time for questions
• Follow me: @BrruuD
• Mail me: ruud@partechit.nl
• Skype me: brruud
• Read my blog: http://www.partechit.nl/blog
• Demo code: https://github.com/ParTech/SugCon2015
*pssst* … Interested in indie game development? Follow @rumargaming
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 11

12. Thank you
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 12