8 Communication Distribution
The end result of Communication Cloud Service is to create communication. This is achieved using the CommunicationDistribution REST API.
Assembly uses the data provided by the source system to drive the Package Assembly Template and the configuration of the Documents, Layouts, Content, Style and Fonts that contribute to the Package. The CommunicationDistribution Post method is used to create HTML, HTML email, PDF, and CSV.
Communication Cloud Service Distribution enables you to distribute configured communications through channels such as email and lets you store it using documentation repositories.
You can use the Communication REST API method from source systems to request a communication process. Communication Cloud Service distribution uses data provided by the source system to drive the Package Assembly Templates and distribution services. HTML, and PDF can be distributed to repositories such as Oracle Content Manager or through email using Oracle’s OCI Email Service.
Distribution supported by Communication Cloud Service:
- Email distribution using OCI Email Service (OCI)
- Storage of communication using Oracle Content Manager (OCM)
Communication Distribution process includes 3 major configurations.
- Composing communications for distribution (Email, PDF or HTML)
- Configuring the Communication Email Distribution Service and Communication Distribution Storage Service
- Configuring the supplier service (OCI or OCM)
Table 8-1 Communication components for distribution to document repository
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Document | Communication that is to be sent to the document repository. |
| Metadata | The JSON that will be sent along with the communication that enables
the document repository to properly consume the communication.
For example, put it into the right location for the end user to view or download. |
| Assembly | Creation of the communication and the JSON metadata that will be sent to the document repository. |
| Communication Distribution | Instructions on where the document and metadata will be sent to. |
Table 8-2 Communication components for email distribution
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Email body | Body component of the email that will be sent to the email distribution channel. |
| Email subject | The subject line of the email that will be sent. |
| Email address(es) | The address(es) that the email will be sent to including From, To, CC and BCC. |
| Assembly | The creation of the email along with the subject and address(es) the email will be sent to. |
| Email Distribution | The instructions where the email will be sent to. |
- Part 1: Composing communication for distribution
The first part of configuration includes composing the communication that you want to distribute. You must compose email or create PDF or HTML that you want to distribute.
- Part 2: Configuring the Communication Email Distribution Service and
Communication Distribution Storage Service
Configure the Communication Email distribution service and Communication Storage distribution service to carry out tasks defined in the process table and ensure that all the tasks are performed in a sequential manner. This configuration ensures that the packages created are distributed via right channel.
- Part 3: Configuring the Supplier Service
- Communication Cloud Service supports suppliers to distribute communications. For the email service, you can use OCI Email and for communication storage, you can use Oracle Content Manager (OCM).
When the communication distribution API receives a request from the source system to distribute email PDF/HTML to storage, it triggers a sequence of processes which are defined for a business function. For each process, communication distribution triggers the assembly configuration to first generate the desired communication output and then distribute it as required.
Each package configuration consists of the Document, Layout, Content, and Content version details.
After successful completion of the distribution flow, the process table is updated with status to start with the next activity.
Following table lists the most common terms used in Communication Distribution:
Table 8-3 Commonly used terms in Communication Distribution
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Process Table |
Communication runs a series of processes that can be configured within a Process Table to control the flow of Communication based on key factors and the outcome of each process. |
| Processes |
A Process executes one or more Services that perform some function. Services within a process are run asynchronously. All communication processes have a 1:1 relationship with a single service that implements the process. |
| Services | Services perform some function within a process. A service can be called by an external client or by internal process. Services are always run by a process. Services can invoke processes or perform any other action necessary to complete their function. Services can be simple or complex (having their own process tables and processes). |
| Suppliers | Suppliers refers to service providers that are not available within Communication Cloud Service. Any service that is offered through a cloud offering external to Financial Services Cloud, is referred as a supplier. |