🔌 Integrating Connections in a Sitecore Personalize Decision Model

 

In this post, we’ll explore how to leverage a connection (created in our previous blog) within a Sitecore Personalize Decision Model to fetch or post data using a programmable node and a Data System element.

The goal is to build a simple canvas where:

• A programmable node outputs Client Credential JSON.

• This output is consumed by a Data System element, which then uses the selected connection to call an API.

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🎯 Objective

Create a Sitecore Personalize Decision Model with:

1. A programmable node that returns JSON (Client ID & Client Secret).

2. A Data System element that uses the output of the programmable node as input and calls the external API using a predefined connection.

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🛠️ Step-by-Step Guide

✅ Step 1: Access Decisioning in Sitecore Personalize

1. Navigate to your Sitecore Personalize environment (Production or Non-Production).

2. Click on the “Decisioning” menu from the top ribbon (see screenshot below for reference).

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✅ Step 2: Create a New Decision Model

1. Click the “Create” button.

2. Choose a variant name (e.g., demov1).

3. Proceed with the default steps to create the variant.

The creation flow is straightforward – just follow the prompts.

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✅ Step 3: Open the Variant Canvas

1. Click on the newly created variant.

2. Select the “Canvas” view to start designing your logic flow.

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✅ Step 4: Configure the Canvas Logic

We’ll keep the canvas simple for clarity:

🔹 Node 1: Programmable Element (GetClientCredential)

• Drag and drop a Programmable element onto the canvas.

• Rename it (e.g., GetClientCredential).

• Use the following JavaScript code:

(function () {
    return {
        clientId: "please enter your client ID",
        clientSecret: "please enter your client secret"
    };
})();

🧠 Important: Make sure the return type is set to "Map" in the settings.
Returning JSON without selecting “Map” will throw an error.

This node will output a JSON object with two keys: clientId and clientSecret.

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🔹 Node 2: Data System Element (XM Cloud Auth v1)

• Drag and drop a Data System element.

• Name it appropriately (e.g., XM Cloud Auth v1).

• When prompted, select the connection you created earlier (refer to this guide).

🔗 Connect the Nodes

• Set the output of GetClientCredential as the input for this Data System element.

• Click Edit on the Data System element to open its configuration panel.

🧩 Map the Input Fields

• You will see fields that require the clientId and clientSecret.

• Populate them using the output keys from the programmable node:

    ClientCredential.clientId
    ClientCredential.clientSecret

Ensure you use the exact output key names returned by the programmable element.

 

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▶️ Testing the Canvas

1. Once your setup is complete, run the canvas.

2. Observe each node executing in sequence.

3. If configured correctly:

   • The GetClientCredential node will return JSON.

   • The XM Cloud Auth v1 node will use this data and make an API call via the connection.

✅ If successful, you should receive an Access Token or a success response — confirming the connection is working as expected.

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📝 Final Thoughts

This demo walks through a minimal working setup to illustrate how Programmable nodes and Data System elements can work together with external connections in Sitecore Personalize.

Such a setup is extremely useful for:

• Authentication flows (OAuth 2.0).

• Fetching dynamic content from APIs.

• Interacting with external systems in real-time.

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🔁 Related Reading:

• Integrating External Systems with Sitecore Personalize