Customer Data Platforms

A customer data platform (CDP) is a software system that creates unified customer profiles by collecting data from multiple sources and making those profiles available for customer engagement. CDPs empower personalization in a brand’s customer experience (CX) efforts.

Let’s explore CDPs that harness machine learning and artificial intelligence to deliver actionable insights and revolutionize marketing efforts.

Struggling to choose the right CDP platform? Symplicity can help! Schedule a free consultation today, and let us simplify your decision-making process.

What Are the Benefits of CDPs?

CDPs create a powerful competitive advantage through their ability to unify data for deeper customer insights and coordinated engagement.

Here are some of the most important benefits of CDP adoption:

A 360° customer view. By integrating data from all sources, CDPs break down data silos to build a single panoramic profile for each customer.
Improved personalization. With unified data and machine learning, CDPs deliver dynamic, 1:1 personalization across channels tailored to customers’ behavior, interests, and needs.
More relevant messaging. CDP’s segmentation ability means you can target each customer group with the most relevant messages via their preferred channels and at optimal times.
Omnichannel coordination. CDPs align experiences across channels by linking customer identities and sharing segments.
Enhanced CX. CDP’s capabilities combine to provide seamless experiences that deepen engagement across the entire journey for increased customer satisfaction.

How to Choose the Right CDP

The right CDP will unlock valuable customer insights and drive business growth. Keep these factors in mind when selecting a CDP for your organization:

Business goals and use cases. Align the CDP with your objectives. Do you want to improve customer loyalty, get personalized marketing campaigns, or gain a 360-degree view of your customers?
Data collection and integration. Choose a CDP that handles first-party and third-party data sources, as well as structured and unstructured data from different touchpoints.
Real-time data processing and actionable insights. Prioritize a CDP with real-time data capabilities and strong predictive analytics to deliver personalized experiences and optimize marketing strategies.
Ease of use and integration. Select a CDP that integrates seamlessly with your existing marketing automation platforms and has a user-friendly interface.
Data security and compliance. Ensure the CDP prioritizes data protection, offers robust security solutions, and complies with relevant regulations.
Vendor expertise and support. Pick a CDP provider with a proven track record, comprehensive training, and ongoing support to maximize the value of the platform.

About Symplicity

We’re here to help you supercharge your CX program, including CDP assessment and implementation. We’re happy to help with any or all of the following:

Conduct CDP readiness assessments
Implement leading CDP solutions
Measure the CX impact
Ensure you’re getting the very best solutions for the very best price

At Symplicity, we take a vendor-neutral approach, carefully analyzing your business requirements, budget, and industry to identify the ideal solution for your needs. We understand that every organization has unique priorities and challenges, which is why we offer a customized approach to match you with the perfect solution.

We connect you with the best CX solutions by thoroughly evaluating providers based on their expertise, track record, and ability to meet your specific requirements.

We can also help you with your managed IT, business intelligence, SIP trunking, business automation, disaster recovery, and mobile device management needs. See our solutions page for the full range of services we offer.

CDP FAQ

What are the 4 types of customer data?

The four main types of customer data are:

Demographic data like age, location, gender, income level, education, etc.
Customer behavioral data including purchase history, website activity, app usage, and engagement across channels
Attitudinal data from surveys, feedback, preferences, interests, and communication content
Operational data such as customer support interactions, product registrations, customer loyalty program status

Why is a CDP better than a DMP?

CDPs collect and unify first-party data from various sources to create comprehensive customer profiles, while data management platforms (DMP) primarily focus on third-party data for advertising. CDPs provide a more complete, 360-degree view of the customer, enabling personalized experiences across the entire customer journey.

What are big data platforms?

Big data platforms store, process, and analyze large volumes of structured and unstructured data from multiple sources. They help organizations gain valuable insights, make data-driven decisions, and solve complex business problems through advanced analytics and machine learning capabilities.

What is the difference between a database and a data platform?

A database is a structured collection of data that stores and organizes information. A data platform is a more comprehensive solution that includes databases, analytics tools, and other components to manage, process, and derive insights from data across an organization.

What is the difference between a CDP and CRM?

A CDP unifies customer data from multiple touchpoints to build comprehensive profiles, enabling personalization. A customer relationship management (CRM) manages customer interactions and relationships, typically focused on sales and support processes.

How does a CDP improve customer lifetime value?

A CDP improves customer lifetime value with a comprehensive view of individual customers, enabling personalized experiences and targeted marketing efforts. With customer actions and behaviors tracked across multiple touchpoints, a CDP empowers organizations to deliver relevant experiences that drive long-term loyalty and increase customer lifetime value.

How does a CDP ensure data security and compliance?

A CDP serves as a centralized source of truth for customer data, implementing robust security solutions to protect sensitive information. With features such as data encryption, access controls, and compliance with regulations such as GDPR and CCPA, a CDP helps organizations maintain data security and mitigate risks associated with customer data management.