Managing complex workflows and juggling data sources can be tough for businesses in any industry. They need smooth integration and automation to get rid of bottlenecks, cut down on manual work, and make sure critical info is accurate and timely.
Quickbase’s Esther LaVielle, Customer Success Manager, and Adrian Lloyd, Customer Success Technology Manager, recently had a chat about these issues and how Quickbase Pipelines can help. They walked through the features of Pipelines and even did a live demo to show how it all works. Check it out here.
Here we'll take a look at some of the key takeaways from the webinar.
Understanding Pipelines
Quickbase Pipelines is an automation tool that makes workflows easier and helps connect different applications with a simple, low-code interface. It links data sources, automates tasks, syncs data, boosts efficiency, and cuts down on human errors.
LaVielle kicked things off by breaking down pipelines and some key terms. Quickbase Pipelines are made up of channels (the various apps or platforms you can connect) and steps (the actions taken within each channel). There are three types of steps: triggers (events that kick off in real-time), actions (tasks you start), and queries (requests for data).
Pipelines can be categorized into three types:
- Triggered: Initiated by specific events
- Scheduled: Operating on a set timeline
- Manual: Controlled by the user
This classification enables users to customize their pipeline automation according to their unique needs and operational workflows.
"The pipelines tool is the fastest way to connect, disparate or siloed systems and transform the way that your data is used," says LaVielle. "They help uncover any new insights in real time, and continuously perfect the processes that make your business unique."
LaVielle stressed how crucial it is to grasp the dependencies and interactions in a pipeline to really optimize workflows. By mapping out these relationships, users can boost efficiency, accuracy, and productivity while cutting down on errors, making automation solutions much more reliable.
Navigating the Interface
In a live demo, LaVielle walked viewers through the “My Pipelines” page, where users can see and manage all their Pipelines. On the "Channels" page, users can see the status of different channels and see what's available based on their plan or license. She highlighted how important it is to regularly review the "Channels" page to make sure all integrations are working smoothly, especially when new channels are added or existing ones get updated.
LaVielle also shared a new feature is coming soon to the "My Pipelines" page, allowing users to automate certain tasks, making it much easier to manage workflows and boost efficiency. The goal is to enhance user experience by reducing manual work and streamlining operations.
Pipeline Authentication
A big part of the webinar was all about pipeline authentication. They talked about two main methods: realm default, which lets you access all applications, and user tokens, which are specific to certain apps. Keeping user tokens secure is really important, and LaVielle suggested setting up a shared or service account for future access.
"The user token is basically your username and password all in one for selected apps," says LaVielle. "The biggest thing is just to be sure to keep your app token or user token secure like you would a password."
Subdomains and realms are key to authenticating user tokens, with the subdomain being part of the app's URL. LaVielle also encouraged everyone to keep learning through online courses, live training, and pipeline certification. She pointed out the difference between realm default and user tokens, explaining that while realm default offers broader access and can be easier to manage, it might be a security risk if not handled properly.
Building a Pipeline
The webinar walked through navigating and building a pipeline in Pipeline Designer. Thanks to the recent update, the canvas is now easier to control, navigation is smoother, and organizing pipelines is more streamlined.
We also learned how to use Jinja to transform pipeline values, like using the "$previous" function to capture a field's prior value—handy for tracking frequent data changes accurately. The step-by-step demo gave us practical insights into pipeline design, making it easier to replicate similar setups in our own projects.
Useful Resources
Beyond the demos, users got tips on where to find more in-depth Pipeline knowledge. They were encouraged to join the Quickbase community Qrew, hop into pipeline customer networks, and attend office hours to get more hands-on experience. LaVielle also pointed out that there are detailed docs and video tutorials available to help users with complex pipeline setups and common issues.
Future of Pipelines
Evan Martinez, Product Marketing Manager - Growth at Quickbase, announced that Quickbase is replacing webhooks with pipelines to link apps and services, aiming to make integration easier. Users currently using webhooks will receive specific communications about this change. This move will not only simplify operations but also bring new capabilities that webhooks didn't offer. Users undergoing this transition will receive full support throughout the process.
Q&A Session
During the audience Q&A, Adrian Lloyd tackled questions about using YAML in pipeline settings, sending emails through pipelines, and suggested reaching out to Quickbase support for tricky tasks like looping through records in different columns. He also covered issues like HTTP make requests bugs, changing record owner emails, and accessing more resources and support. Lloyd's thorough answers cleared up a lot of advanced topics, showing just how flexible and powerful Quickbase pipelines can be.
This discussion gave a comprehensive overview of Quickbase Pipelines, authentication methods, and resources for users interested in using them. Interested in learning more? Watch the webinar on demand here.
