What is a CloudLink? Think of a CloudLink as a smart bridge between your business data (stored in Snowflake) and your workflows. It’s like having a personal assistant who can instantly access any information you need from your company’s data warehouse, without you needing to write any code or SQL queries.
CloudLinks represent patented technology that sets Elementum apart from other platforms. This direct connection to your data speeds up implementations and ensures you’re running workflows in a trusted environment with real-time access to your business data.
Understanding Data Lakes (Snowflake) Your company’s data lake (Snowflake) is like a vast digital library where all your business data lives. Instead of having data scattered across different systems, everything is organized in one place:
  • Sales data from your CRM
  • Customer information from your support system
  • Financial transactions from your payment processors
  • Inventory levels from your warehouses
  • Employee data from HR systems
  • And much more!
How CloudLinks Make Your Life Easier:
  1. No Technical Skills Required:
    • Point and click to connect to your data
    • Browse tables like you would in Excel
    • Create workflows without writing SQL
    • Set up automations using visual tools
  2. Real-Time Access:
    • Always work with the latest data
    • No need to wait for data exports
    • No manual data copying
    • Automatic updates when data changes
  3. Secure and Controlled:
    • Only access the data you’re allowed to see
    • Maintain compliance with data policies
    • Keep sensitive information protected
    • Track who uses what data
Setting Up CloudLinks:

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Authentication Methods

Key-Pair Authentication (Recommended) Key-pair authentication is the recommended method for connecting to Snowflake as it provides better security and enables access to all Elementum features.
For detailed setup instructions, refer to the Snowflake Key-Pair Authentication documentation.
Password Authentication
When using password authentication, certain Cortex AI features will be unavailable. For full functionality, we recommend using key-pair authentication.

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Initial Setup Process

  1. Connect to Your Data:
    • Select your Snowflake database
    • Choose your authentication method
    • Configure connection parameters
    • Test the connection
  2. Configure Platform Schema:
  1. Create Elements:
    • Select which tables to use
    • Choose relevant columns
    • Set up refresh schedules
    • Define access permissions
  2. Start Building:
    • Create Data Mines to monitor patterns
    • Build automations using the data
    • Set up notifications and alerts
    • Create custom views and reports

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Business Intelligence and External Access

If you need to access Elementum’s platform data for Business Intelligence tools like PowerBI or Tableau, do not directly query the platform schema. Instead, use Elementum’s Tables feature to create Business Intelligence views of your data that can be safely consumed by external tools. Real-World Examples:
  1. Sales Operations:
    • Connect to sales data tables
    • Automatically route high-value opportunities
    • Track deal progress and trigger approvals
    • Monitor sales team performance
  2. Customer Support:
    • Link to customer interaction history
    • Create priority support workflows
    • Track response times
    • Identify trending issues
  3. Finance:
    • Monitor transaction patterns
    • Automate reconciliation processes
    • Flag unusual spending
    • Generate automated reports
  4. Supply Chain:
    • Track inventory levels
    • Automate reorder processes
    • Monitor supplier performance
    • Alert on delivery delays
Best Practices:
  1. Authentication Security:
    • Always use key-pair authentication when possible
    • Regularly rotate credentials
    • Monitor connection logs
    • Limit access to necessary users only
  2. Schema Management:
    • Dedicate a schema exclusively for Elementum
    • Document schema purpose for your team
    • Never manually modify platform tables
    • Use separate schemas for your business data
  3. Start with Clean Data:
    • Ensure your Snowflake tables are well-organized
    • Use clear column names
    • Maintain consistent data formats
    • Keep data up to date
  4. Think About Scale:
    • Consider table sizes
    • Plan refresh frequencies
    • Monitor performance
    • Archive old data
  5. Security First:
    • Only connect to necessary tables
    • Limit access appropriately
    • Regularly audit connections
    • Document data usage
Why CloudLinks Are a Game-Changer: CloudLinks represent a fundamental shift in how business applications connect to data. Instead of traditional ETL processes or API integrations that create data silos, CloudLinks provide:
  • Direct Access: No data copying or synchronization delays
  • Real-Time Updates: Changes in your data warehouse immediately affect your workflows
  • Secure Connection: Enterprise-grade security with proper access controls
  • Cost Efficiency: Reduce data storage and processing costs
  • Faster Implementation: Go from data to workflow in minutes, not months
Remember: CloudLinks turn your raw data into actionable workflows. Instead of your data sitting idle in Snowflake, it becomes an efficient engine driving your business processes - no coding required! This patented approach ensures you’re always working with the most current data while maintaining the highest security standards.