You can create a pipeline that reads a data table in Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL). The read pipeline imports the data from MSSQL to Anaplan Data Orchestrator. It then uses the imported data to create or update a source dataset.

You must create a connection to MSSQL before you can create a pipeline.

Connectivity prerequisites

Before you can create a connection to MSSQL, you need the connectivity prerequisites listed in this table.

ItemNotes
MSSQL account

You must have active access to an MSSQL account and instance where the target tables reside. 

For example, the MSSQL instance can be hosted on these cloud platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or any other cloud provider. The solution is compatible with on-premises SQL Server deployments.

Certificate Authority (CA) certificateAn unencrypted CA certificate in a Privacy-Enhanced Mail (PEM) format.
Database user

A database user with a password and permissions (at least read permission).

For example:

CREATE USER <user_name> IDENTIFIED BY 'your_password_here';
GRANT SELECT, RELOAD, SHOW DATABASES, REPLICATION SLAVE, REPLICATION CLIENT ON *&ZeroWidthSpace;.* TO <user_name>;

Appropriate permissions

The MSSQL user associated with the connection must have the necessary privileges to write data to the target table.

This typically requires CONNECT privilege on the database, and INSERT privilege on the target table (or the target schema). 

Target table in MSSQLA target table must already exist within your MSSQL database.   

Create a connection to MSSQL

The MSSQL connector also supports connections to Azure SQL.

You will need your MSSQL or Azure credentials. View the MSSQL or Azure documentation for more information about your credentials.

To create a connection:

  1. Select Data Orchestrator from the top-left navigation menu.
  2. Choose a dataspace from the list.
  3. Select Connections on the left-side panel.
  4. Select Create connection.
  5. Select Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL) and then select Next.
    If you can't find the connector, enter a search term in the Find... field.
  6. On the Connection details screen, enter these details and select Next:
    • Name: Create a name for your connection. The name can contain alphanumeric characters and underscores.
    • Description: Enter a description about your connection.
  7. On the Connection credentials screen, enter your MSSQL credentials, and then select Next.
    For information about the fields on the Connection credentials screen, see SSH tunneling options for MSSQL connections.
  8. After the connection test is complete, select Done.

Create a read pipeline

Use the MSSQL connection you created to create the read pipeline. The read pipeline uses the connection to import data from a table in MSSQL to a source dataset in Data Orchestrator.

To create a read pipeline:

  1. Select Data Orchestrator from the top-left navigation menu.
  2. Choose a dataspace from the list.
  3. Select Pipelines from the left-side panel.
  4. Select Create pipeline.
  5. Enter a Name for your pipeline and then select Create.
    You are taken to the pipeline designer view.
  6. Select the Source icon, and then complete these steps in the right-side panel:
    1. Select MSSQL from the Connection type dropdown. 
    2. Select the MSSQL connection you created from the Choose connection dropdown.
    3. Enter a Label that displays as the source name in the designer view.
    4. Select a Source location, and then select a table in MSSQL that you want to connect.
  7. Optionally, select the add icon that appears between the Source and Sink nodes.
    You can add steps to your pipeline to process data.
  8. Select the Sink icon, and then complete these steps in the right-side panel:
    1. Select Anaplan from the Connection type dropdown.
    2. Select Datasets from the Choose connection dropdown.
    3. Select Target location > Table, and choose a dataset destination:
      • Choose existing dataset: If you choose this option, you will be asked to select an existing source dataset.
      • Create new dataset: If you choose this option, you will be asked to enter a Name and Description for the new dataset.
        When you select a write option for the pipeline, it only applies to later pipeline runs if you update the table in MSSQL.
    4. Choose a write option for the dataset.
      • Upsert: Updates the existing rows and adds new rows if needed.
      • Append: Adds new data to the dataset without overwriting existing data.
      • Replace: Replaces all existing data with the new data being extracted, and overwrites any previous data.
    5. Review the source data from the MSSQL table that's being imported to the dataset, and then select Done.
  9. Select Publish, and then select Run to execute the data transfer.

The dataset displays in the Source datasets screen in Data Orchestrator. If you don't see the dataset, refresh the screen.

Run the pipeline with a Workflow

After you create the pipeline, optionally, you can choose to run the pipeline as part of an Anaplan Workflow. This enables you to automate data transfers based on a schedule, or trigger them manually as part of a larger sequence of tasks.