About the Optimize data flow

Optimize works by taking a list of proposed contacts from one or more Campaign flowcharts, applying rules to the proposed list, and generating an optimized list of contacts.

The following diagram shows how data flows between Campaign and Optimize.

Data flows from a flowchart (1) to a database table (2) to the optimization algorithm (3). Constraints (4), business rules (5), contact history (6), and segment and offer lists (7) also feed into the algorithm. From the algorithm comes optimized contacts (8)

1.	Campaign flowcharts

2.	Proposed contacts

3.	Optimize optimization algorithm

4.	Constraint rules from Optimize session

5.	Business rules from Optimize session

6.	Contact history

7.	Segments and offer lists from Campaign

8.	Optimized contacts

In Campaign, you create flowcharts to select your proposed contacts. You then create an Optimize session. The Optimize session is where you define your constraints and business rules. You run the Optimize session to apply the following items to your proposed contacts using an optimization algorithm:

Your rules and constraints

Contact history

Any other necessary data from your customer data

The Optimize session returns an optimized list of contacts to Campaign. You can then use this optimized list in a flowchart that uses a contact processes. Contact processes control the actual execution of completed campaigns, which includes:

The management and creation of contact lists

The treatment of target audiences

The logging of data