> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.voyado.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Overview
Engage offers you direct access to your own data so that you can use it for analytics, reporting, and integration into your own data infrastructure. Two access methods are available:
* BI export
* Delta Share
Which one is most suitable for you depends on your technical setups, data needs, and update frequencies. Choose what best fits your stack, or use both in parallel.
```mermaid actions={false} theme={null}
flowchart TD
A["Engage Data Access
Unified data access offering"]
A --> B["BI Export
FTP / CSVs
Included"]
A --> C["Delta Share
Delta Sharing Protocol"]
B --> D["CSV Exports
Once daily, curated"]
C --> E["Raw Data Products
Domain-specific, included"]
C --> F["Analytical Data Products
Star schema, separate fee"]
classDef red stroke:#ef4444,color:#b91c1c,fill:#fff,stroke-width:2px;
classDef purple stroke:#7c3aed,color:#6b21a8,fill:#fff,stroke-width:2px;
classDef neutral stroke:#d1d5db,color:#111827,fill:#fff,stroke-width:1.5px;
class A,B red;
class C,E,F purple;
class D neutral;
```
## The two methods
Data is organized differently in each method, and the terminology also differs.
### BI Export
Here the data is delivered as an "export", which is a flat-file dataset for a single entity in Engage. For example, you can choose:
* The "Contact" export
* The "Receipt" export
* The "Message" export
Each export is a single CSV file representing one database table.
### Delta share
Here, data is delivered as "data products". These are packaged, domain-specific datasets that group related tables around a business concept. Data products come in two categories:
* **Raw data products**: These provide you with unprocessed domain data and are included
* **Analytical data products**: These deliver modelled, analysis-ready data using a star schema and are subject to a separate fee
## Which method is best for you
| | **BI Export** | **Delta Share** |
| :------------------- | :-------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- |
| **Delivery** | CSV files via FTP | Delta Sharing open protocol |
| **Unit of data** | Export (one flat file per entity) | Data product (raw or analytical) |
| **Data content** | Curated, cross-domain aggregates | Raw domain data or pre-modelled star schema |
| **Update frequency** | Once per day (nightly batch) | Near real-time, incremental |
| **Setup complexity** | Low — fetch files from FTP | Higher — requires Delta Sharing client |
| **Transformation** | Pre-processed by Voyado | Raw as-is, or pre-modelled (analytical) |
| **Best for** | Ready-made analytics, quick setup | Custom pipelines, data warehouses, direct BI |
Both methods can be used in parallel. Some customers use BI Export for consolidated reporting and Delta Share for operational pipelines. Contact your CSM or Account Manager if you need guidance on which approach fits your setup.
### Choose BI Export if:
* You want structured, analysis-ready data with minimal setup
* Your BI tool consumes CSV files or connects via FTP
* You need cross-domain data pre-processed and combined
* Daily refresh frequency is sufficient
BI export:
* Curated CSV exports via FTP
* Structured, cross-domain datasets processed nightly
* Ready for direct use in any BI tool, no pipeline required.
### Choose Delta Share if:
* You want raw or pre-modelled data in your own data warehouse or data lake
* You need higher-frequency updates (2-4 batches per day)
* You have technical capability for the Delta Sharing protocol
* You want to control your own transformation layer or use pre-built analytical models
Delta Share:
* Access your Engage data through the Delta Sharing protocol
* Access either as raw domain feeds or as pre-modelled analytical datasets
* Close-to-real-time updates and tool-agnostic
* Designed to integrate directly into your data infrastructure