Understanding the Challenge

The challenge lies in capturing the fully rendered email, which includes all images, links, and other content. The Email Archiving add-on provides this functionality, but at an additional cost. Custom solutions, on the other hand, may require more effort and resources to set up and maintain.

Some community members suggested using open-source options, such as the @basetime/bldr-sfmc package, or saving the HTML of emails generated through the View Email URL. However, these solutions may not provide the fully rendered email required for compliance purposes.

Custom Solutions

One possible custom solution is to collect the VAWP (View As Web Page) URL at send time and store it in a data extension (DE). Then, use Automation Studio to download the rendered HTML file to a repository on an hourly basis. Another option is to set up a serverless function to snapshot and download the email to a storage bucket when a new email is sent to a specific inbox.

Example Code

/* Example code to collect VAWP URL and store in DE */
var vawpUrl = "https://example.com/vawp/" + emailId;
var de = DataExtension.Init("Email Archive");
de.AddRow({
  "EmailId": emailId,
  "VAWPUrl": vawpUrl
});

While these custom solutions can work, they may require significant development and maintenance efforts. Additionally, they may not provide the same level of stability and quality as the Email Archiving add-on.

The root cause of the challenge is the need to capture the fully rendered email, which includes all images, links, and other content. Without access to the MTA, custom solutions must rely on workarounds, such as collecting the VAWP URL or using serverless functions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are custom solutions and workarounds available, the most reliable method for archiving emails in Salesforce Marketing Cloud is still the Email Archiving add-on. However, for those looking for alternative solutions, it is possible to use custom APIs and other workarounds to capture the fully rendered email.

Checklist for Archiving Emails

• Determine the requirements for email archiving, including the need for fully rendered emails
• Evaluate the cost and benefits of using the Email Archiving add-on
• Consider custom solutions, such as collecting the VAWP URL or using serverless functions
• Develop and maintain custom solutions, if necessary
• Test and validate the archiving process to ensure compliance
• Monitor and update the archiving process as needed
• Consider the impact of open rates and other metrics on the archiving process
• Document the archiving process and procedures for future reference

What is the Email Archiving add-on?

The Email Archiving add-on is a feature in Salesforce Marketing Cloud that allows users to archive emails for compliance purposes.

Can I use custom APIs to archive emails?

Yes, it is possible to use custom APIs to archive emails, but it may require significant development and maintenance efforts.

What is the VAWP URL?

The VAWP URL is the View As Web Page URL, which can be used to access the fully rendered email.

Can I use serverless functions to archive emails?

Yes, it is possible to use serverless functions to snapshot and download emails to a storage bucket.

What are the benefits of using the Email Archiving add-on?

The Email Archiving add-on provides a reliable and stable method for archiving emails, with minimal risk and maintenance required.

What are the drawbacks of using custom solutions?

Custom solutions may require significant development and maintenance efforts, and may not provide the same level of stability and quality as the Email Archiving add-on.