Build Semantic Layer Views for WooCommerce Data in APOS Live Data Gateway

APOS Live Data Gateway (LDG) is a data connection and data transformation solution that enables live data connectivity and expanded data source options for SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions. When paired with CData Connectors, users can build semantic layer views for live WooCommerce data, enabling real-time analytics on WooCommerce just like working with a relational database.

With built-in optimized data processing, the CData Connector offers unmatched performance for interacting with live WooCommerce data. When you issue complex SQL queries to WooCommerce, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to WooCommerce and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). Its built-in dynamic metadata querying allows you to work with and analyze WooCommerce data using native data types.

Download and Install the Connector Files

In order to access WooCommerce data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, you will need to download the connector files from APOS and install them on the machine hosting the Live Data Gateway. An APOS representative can deliver the necessary files.

• Install the CData DLL file (System.Data.CData.WooCommerce.dll) to the APOS Live Data Gateway installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ by default).
• Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.woocommerce.jar) to the ConnectionTest_lib folder in the installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ConnectionTest_lib\ by default).
• Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.woocommerce.jar) to the lib folder in the Web UI installation directory (e.g.: C:\LDG_WebUI\lib\)

Configuring the WooCommerce Connection String

Before establishing the connection to WooCommerce from the APOS Live Data Gateway, you need to configure the WooCommerce JDBC Connection String.

Built-in Connection String Designer

For assistance in constructing the JDBC Connection String, use the connection string designer built into the WooCommerce JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

WooCommerce supports the following authentication methods: one-legged OAuth1.0 Authentication and standard OAuth2.0 Authentication.

Connecting using one-legged OAuth 1.0 Authentication

Specify the following properties (NOTE: the below credentials are generated from WooCommerce settings page and should not be confused with the credentials generated by using WordPress OAuth2.0 plugin):

• ConsumerKey
• ConsumerSecret

Connecting using WordPress OAuth 2.0 Authentication

After having configured the plugin, you may connect to WooCommerce by providing the following connection properties:

• OAuthClientId
• OAuthClientSecret
• CallbackURL
• InitiateOAuth - Set this to either GETANDREFRESH or REFRESH

In either case, you will need to set the Url property to the URL of the WooCommerce instance.

Your connection string will look similar to the following:

Connecting to WooCommerce & Creating a Semantic Layer View

After installing the connector files and configuring the connection string, you are ready to connect to WooCommerce in the Live Data Gateway Admin tool and build a semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.

Configuring the Connection to WooCommerce

1. Log into your APOS Live Data Gateway Manager
2. If you haven't already, update your APOS LDG license file
   1. Click File -> Configurations
   2. Click on the "..." Menu for the License
   3. Select the license file from the APOS team that includes your CData Connector license
3. In the APOS Live Data Gateway Manager, click "Add"
4. In the APOS Live Data Gateway On the Connection tab, configure the connection:
   • Set Data Source to "Database"
   • Set Database to "CData Drivers"
   • Set Database CData Drivers to "WooCommerce"
   • Set Connection String to the connection string configured earlier (e.g.: jdbc:WooCommerce:Url=https://example.com/; ConsumerKey=ck_ec52c76185c088ecaa3145287c8acba55a6f59ad; ConsumerSecret=cs_9fde14bf57126156701a7563fc87575713c355e5;
   • Set Driver Class to "cdata.jdbc.woocommerce.WooCommerceDriver" (this should be set by default)
5. Click Test Connection
6. Click Save
7. Give your connection a unique prefix (e.g. "woocommerce")
8. Highlight the newly created connection and click File -> "Approve Users For Web UI"
9. Approve the appropriate DB users to create views and click "Save"

At this point, we are ready to build our semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.

Creating a Semantic Layer View

1. In your browser, navigate to the APOS Live Data Gateway Portal
2. Select a Connection (e.g. "woocommerce")
3. Since WooCommerce does not require a User or Password to authenticate, you may use whatever values you wish for User Name and Password
4. Click "Login"
5. Once connected, click "Semantic Layer" to create a new semantic layer view
6. Click "New Semantic Layer View"
7. Set the Semantic Layer View Prefix and Semantic Layer View Name
8. Click "Step 2"
9. Select the table(s) and column(s) you wish to include in your view
10. Click "Step 3"
11. Select the Measures from the available table columns
12. Click "Step 5" (we skipped the "Extra Dimensions" step)
13. Add any Variable Prompts
14. Click "Step 6"
15. Define any Table Joins
16. Click "Review"
17. Review you semantic layer view and click "Save"

With the Semantic Layer View created, you are ready to access your WooCommerce data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, enabling real-time data connectivity to WooCommerce data from SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions.

More Information & Free Evaluation

Please visit APOS Systems - APOS Solutions - Request Evaluation Software to request evaluation software or email info@apos.com for more information on working with your live WooCommerce data in APOS Live Data Gateway.