From 200+ Connectors to a personalized onboarding flow

🤔 Challenge

With 200+ data connectors and users ranging from data engineers to business analysts, how do you create a personalized path to value for each user?

💡 Solution

1. Smart profiling through initial questions
2. AI-powered recommendations
3. Automated success celebrations

🏆 Results

• High user engagement with personalized recommendations
• Strategic insight into custom connector demand
• 2-day implementation enabling rapid iteration

The Perfect Match Challenge

For data teams, finding the right integration tools feels a lot like dating. Some users know exactly what they want ("I need Snowflake to BigQuery"), while others are just starting to explore. Rivery, now part of Boomi, had a clear challenge: Playing matchmaker at scale.

The Matchmaking Journey

Step 1: Smart Profiling

Instead of overwhelming users with every possible option (imagine being handed 200 dating profiles at once!), Rivery begins with three key questions:

Question 1: What do you want to do first?

Tip: Groups connectors by business goal, not technical specs.

Question 2: What type of data are you working with?

Tip: Use familiar logos for quick recognition

Question 3: What will you use Rivery for?

Step 2: Personalized Recommendations

Like a skilled matchmaker, Rivery's homepage presents personalized recommendations based on the user's profile.

Focuses on outcomes rather than features

"Using AI... we recommended relevant URLs according to the data source of the page," explains Benjamin Franck, Senior Advisor, Product Management at Boomi.

Dynamic recommendations that adapt to user preferences

The impact was clear:

"It's helping the customers to see the different connectors that may be relevant to their use cases. Also, it's quicker for them to click from here instead of having to go to another page to start the flow.

Step 3: Allow for a Surprise Connection

Sometimes, the best matches are unexpected. For Rivery, this came in the form of a surprising insight about the company’s "Build Your Own" connector option:

"We don't have a lot of requests for a new connector, but we have a lot of customers clicking on the 'I want to build my own' button.  So it’s clearly something our customers appreciate and part of the value we deliver." - Benjamin Franck, Boomi.

Beyond the First Date: Celebrating Milestones & Growing Together

Success in data integration isn't just about the initial connection – it's about growing together. Rivery created two innovative ways to support users throughout their journey:

1. Celebration Moments Powered by AI

When users complete their first connection, Rivery's AI springs into action:

The workflow: Snowflake Query (hourly) → OpenAI → Candu Modal

1. Uses AI agent to check Snowflake for any new connections
2. Generates personalized congratulations copy
3. Finds personalized links to product actions and relevant documentation 
4. Funnels the new key information into Candu for a personalized modal

"Every hour, we run an automated SQL query in Snowflake that checks for users who've created new connections. When it detects a new connection, it triggers our personalized celebration workflow to display a customized announcement through Candu."- Benjamin Franck, Boomi.

2. Targeted Learning Opportunities

Rivery also matches users with relevant educational content. For example, when the Rivery team noticed interest in GenAI analytics amongst non-technical users, it created targeted webinar invitations for non-technical users:

The webinar announcement showcases:

• Clear value proposition for non-technical users
• Practical, hands-on demonstrations
• Emphasis on "Days, Not Months" implementation
• Expert speakers who understand both technical and business perspectives

This targeted approach ensures that:

1. Technical users get deep implementation guidance
2. Business users see practical applications
3. New users discover features relevant to their goals

"We are going to use it a lot for things like alerts. Seeing where our users are clicking and what they are doing provides us with valuable insights that help us continue to refine the product." - Benjamin Franck, Boomi.

By combining usage-based notifications with persona triggers, Rivery creates an environment where users continually discover new value – just like a relationship that keeps growing stronger over time.

Implementation Best Practices

1. Start with Understanding

Ask meaningful questions upfront to gain context. Rivery's three-question onboarding flow exemplifies this approach perfectly.

2. Make Technical Choices Visual

Use familiar logos and icons to reduce cognitive load. The data source selection screen demonstrates how visual cues simplify technical decisions.

3. Enable Progressive Discovery

Show relevant options based on observed user behavior. Dynamic homepage recommendations help users discover capabilities at their own pace.

4. Celebrate Key Moments

Use AI for personalization to acknowledge achievements. Connection success celebrations create engagement while educating users about next steps.

5. Move Fast 

Implement quickly to test ideas in the real world. Gather feedback from actual usage patterns. Iterate based on results rather than assumptions. Rivery's new integration request feature deployed in just two days, enabling rapid improvement cycles.

"For this feature [new integration requests]... in a matter of one or two days, it was already out. It was amazing," - Benjamin Franck, Boomi.

Key Takeaways from Rivery's Data Onboarding

For teams looking to improve their user onboarding:

1. Start with user goals, not features
2. Make technical choices visual and approachable
3. Celebrate key moments with context
4. Use data to uncover hidden opportunities
5. Move fast and iterate based on behavior

"It’s a great solution for implementing some not-overly-technical content. Customers can take advantage of the product’s agility, and flexibility to easily customize the content" - Benjamin Franck, Boomi.