Understanding the Requirement
The requirement is to send an email notification to an admin when the total number of sent emails from the system crosses a certain threshold, such as 1000. This includes emails sent through Journey Builder as well as other email sends.
This can be useful for monitoring email send volumes and ensuring that the system is functioning as expected.
Root Cause and Solution Overview
The root cause of this requirement is the need to monitor email send volumes and receive notifications when a certain threshold is crossed. SFMC provides Data Views that can be queried to retrieve email send data, but there is no out-of-the-box functionality to send notifications based on this data.
To accomplish this, a custom solution can be built using Automation Studio and Email Studio in SFMC. The solution involves querying the Data Views to retrieve the email send data, and then sending an email notification based on the query results.
Step-by-Step Solution
The following steps can be followed to build the custom solution:
- Create a new Automation in Automation Studio
- Add a Query activity to retrieve the email send data from the Data Views
- Add a Verification activity to check if the total number of sent emails has crossed the threshold
- Add an Email send activity to send the notification email to the admin
The query to retrieve the email send data can be written using SQL, and the Verification activity can be used to check if the total number of sent emails has crossed the threshold.
example.sql
SELECT SUM(SENT_TIME) AS TOTAL_SENT FROM _Sent WHERE DATE = TODAY()
Best Practices and Considerations
When building the custom solution, it’s essential to consider the following best practices and considerations:
Checklist
- Use the correct Data Views to retrieve the email send data
- Use a suitable threshold value to trigger the notification email
- Test the Automation and Email send activities thoroughly
- Monitor the Automation and Email send activities regularly
- Use a clear and concise subject line and email body for the notification email
- Consider adding a suppression list to prevent duplicate notifications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to retrieve email send data in SFMC?
The best way to retrieve email send data in SFMC is by querying the Data Views using SQL.
Can I use a pre-built template for the notification email?
Yes, you can use a pre-built template for the notification email, but make sure to customize it according to your requirements.
How often should I run the Automation to send the notification email?
The frequency of running the Automation depends on your specific requirements, but it’s recommended to run it at least once a day.
Can I use this solution for other types of notifications as well?
Yes, you can use this solution as a starting point for other types of notifications, such as notifications for bounced emails or complaints.
What are the limitations of this solution?
The limitations of this solution include the need for custom development and the potential for errors if not tested thoroughly.
