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Full Marketing Cloud Intelligence entry
How-to guide

Standing up Marketing Cloud Intelligence

You do not create a single Marketing Cloud Intelligence record. You stand up the platform by connecting sources, harmonizing the data, and publishing dashboards. This is the high-level path an admin or analyst follows; the exact screens depend on your edition and which successor product you are on.

By Dipojjal Chakrabarti · Founder & Editor, Salesforce DictionaryLast updated Jun 16, 2026

You do not create a single Marketing Cloud Intelligence record. You stand up the platform by connecting sources, harmonizing the data, and publishing dashboards. This is the high-level path an admin or analyst follows; the exact screens depend on your edition and which successor product you are on.

  1. Connect your data sources

    Use an API Connector for sources with a native integration, TotalConnect for file-based feeds that need mapping, or LiteConnect for lighter uploads. Each connection becomes one or more typed data streams.

  2. Harmonize the incoming fields

    In the Harmonization Center, set naming conventions and classification rules so each source's spend, clicks, conversions, and revenue map to the same dimensions and measurements.

  3. Choose an attribution model

    Decide between first-touch, last-touch, linear, time-decay, or position-based before building ROI views, since the model shapes every budget conversation downstream.

  4. Build a curated set of dashboards

    Assemble widgets into dashboard pages and collections, starting from the template library. Keep one focused view per audience rather than a sprawling gallery.

API Connectorremember

Pulls data directly from a source platform on a schedule; best for sources with a native integration.

TotalConnectremember

The marketer-built method for file-based feeds; automates ingestion, cleansing, and mapping for CSVs and reports with no native connector.

Harmonization Centerremember

The no-code area where naming conventions, classification, and field mapping align every feed to the shared data model.

Attribution modelremember

The rule that distributes conversion credit across touchpoints; pick first-touch, last-touch, linear, time-decay, or position-based.

Gotchas
  • Harmonization, not dashboard authoring, is the slow part of a rollout. Budget time for the data plumbing.
  • Datorama and Marketing Cloud Intelligence name the same product; older docs and labels may still say Datorama.
  • The platform is licensed separately from other Marketing Cloud products, and cost scales with connectors, data volume, and users.
  • Salesforce now offers Marketing Intelligence in Marketing Cloud Next; confirm which product your org is provisioning before you design.

See the full Marketing Cloud Intelligence entry

Marketing Cloud Intelligence includes the definition, worked example, deep dive, related terms, and a quiz.