Eloqua: Export data overview

You have two integration methods to select from when exporting data from ion to your Eloqua instance (also known as an "Add Lead" integration): the REST API method and the Post to Web Form method. Both methods can work seamlessly with your ion creatives. The best method for you will depend on how you like to trigger automation in Eloqua and whether you intend to pass data collected in ion to custom data objects in Eloqua.

REST API

Ion is an Oracle Silver Partner. Our native integration creates/updates contacts directly in your Eloqua lead table. This method often requires less effort to update or expand your integration in the future. However, it won't trigger form processing steps or support creation of segments filtered on form completion, since there was no Eloqua form submitted. It also cannot interact with custom data objects.

Post to Web Form

A Post to Web Form integration is what it sounds like: data collected in ion is re-posted to a form you've published in Eloqua. While the customer sees a form you built in ion (and data is saved to your ion console), Eloqua treats it like someone completed the Eloqua form directly. This method often requires more effort to update or expand your integration in the future, as any changes must be made to both your ion integration and your Eloqua form(s). The benefits of this method are the ability to trigger automation in Eloqua based on form completion, as well as the ability to pass data to a custom data object (via form processing steps on your Eloqua form).

Check out the table below for a more detailed comparison of the methods.

	Eloqua REST API	Eloqua Post to Web Form
How does it work?	A connection is established between your ion console and your Eloqua instance. Next a field mapping is completed in ion to define which ion fields should be exported and how they correspond to your Eloqua Contact record fields. When the integration runs, an Eloqua Contact record will be created or updated (key: email address).	A form is published in Eloqua to receive your ion data. Next a field mapping is completed in ion to define which ion fields should be exported and where that data should be submitted in your Eloqua form. That field mapping includes a hidden field that specifies the Eloqua form to post to, so you can support multiple Eloqua forms with a single integration in ion. When the integration runs, data collected in ion is re-posted to the Eloqua form.
What kind of data can be sent to Eloqua?	All types of data can be seamlessly passed to a contact record in Eloqua. This includes Basic Lead Data, ion Core Data, data passed on the query string (like tracking parameters), and interaction data (like a calculator input or an assessment result). Note: Integration services may be limited to certain data types. Check with your Customer Success Manager if you are unsure what you’ve purchased.	All types of data can be seamlessly passed to a contact record in Eloqua. This includes Basic Lead Data, ion Core Data, data passed on the query string (like tracking parameters), and interaction data (like a calculator input or an assessment result). Using form processing steps on your Eloqua form, you can also pass data to a custom data object. Note: Integration services may be limited to certain data types. Check with your Customer Success Manager if you are unsure what you’ve purchased.
What are my options to manage sensitive data?	Field-level security controls are available. The sensitive data expiration setting allows you to mark data in a given field for automatic deletion at a specific time interval (e.g. delete 72 hours after last contact).	Field-level security controls are available. The sensitive data expiration setting allows you to mark data in a given field for automatic deletion at a specific time interval (e.g. delete 72 hours after last contact).
How will I build the form my visitors see? Can I change the styling?	You will use ion’s form building components. This gives you maximum control of the look, feel, and flow of your form experience, and allows you to leverage the branded theme built for you in ion.	You will use ion’s form building components. This gives you maximum control of the look, feel, and flow of your form experience, and allows you to leverage the branded theme built for you in ion.
Can my forms be pre-populated with known lead data?	Forms can be pre-populated based on ion data or (if a Get Lead integration is setup) based on Eloqua + ion data. Note: Integration services may not include a Get Lead integration. Check with your Customer Success Manager if you are unsure what you’ve purchased.	Forms can be pre-populated based on ion data or (if a Get Lead integration is setup) based on Eloqua + ion data. Note: Integration services may not include a Get Lead integration. Check with your Customer Success Manager if you are unsure what you’ve purchased.
How often are my leads sent to Eloqua?	Leads are immediately sent to Eloqua each time the integration runs. Most ion users apply their integration to run on the submission of a form in their ion creative.	Leads are immediately sent to Eloqua each time the integration runs. Most ion users apply their integration to run on the submission of a form in their ion creative.
What happens if there is an Eloqua service interruption?	Visitors will still be able to submit forms and form data will be saved according to your configuration in ion. We’ll retry the post once an hour until successful, up to the maximum number set in your integration. (default: 50 retries)	Visitors will still be able to submit forms and form data will be saved according to your configuration in ion. We’ll retry the post once an hour until successful, up to the maximum number set in your integration. (default: 50 retries)