Implementation methods
Piano Analytics offers multiple integration methods to accommodate various technical environments and project requirements. This section outlines the available options, providing guidance to help you select the most suitable approach for your implementation.
SDKs
Software Development Kits (SDKs) provide streamlined interfaces for integrating Piano Analytics into your applications. By incorporating a lightweight library into your platform, you can leverage predefined methods to dispatch analytics events efficiently.
Available SDKs include:
| SDK | Platforms |
|---|---|
| Javascript | Websites or Apps through browsers. |
| iOS (Swift) | iOS native apps. |
| Android (Kotlin) | Android native apps. (Kotlin SDK) |
| Flutter | Flutter mobile apps. |
| Javascript (browserless) | Any platform supporting JS. |
Advantages
- Simplifies the tagging process.
- Facilitates the management and transmission of platform-specific data.
- Officially developed and maintained by Piano.
Considerations
- Compatibility is limited to supported platforms.
If you want to send your first events using our SDKs, please use the dedicated article.
Collection API
The Collection API enables direct transmission of analytics events via HTTPS POST requests, offering a high degree of flexibility for custom implementations. This method is particularly advantageous when SDK integration is not feasible due to technological constraints.
Server-side implementations can require implementations without SDKs, directly through the Collection API. This allows you to get rid of browsers and their limitations (client-side collection).
Advantages
- Highly customizable to fit specific requirements.
- Operable across diverse platforms and environments.
Considerations
- Requires manual construction of event payloads.
- Does not automatically capture native platform information.
If you want to send your first events using our Collection API, please use the dedicated article.
Tag Management Systems
Tag Management Systems offer a user-friendly interface for implementing and managing analytics tags across digital properties. They support both client-side and server-side tagging approaches.
| GOOGLE TAG MANAGER | TEALIUM | COMMANDERS ACT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Client-side | ✅ Documentation | ✅ Documentation | ✅ |
| Server-side | ✅ Documentation | ✅ Documentation | ✅ Documentation |
Advantages
- Centralized management of all tags.
- Utilization of a robust common data layer.
- Access to advanced features provided by TMS vendors.
Considerations
- Potentially reduced control over individual tagging configurations.
Selecting the Appropriate Method
SDKs
Ideal for straightforward client-side integrations on supported platforms. Dedicated documentation for Javascript, IOS and Android SDKs.
Collection API
Suitable for scenarios requiring extensive customization or when operating in environments where SDKs are unsupported. Can be done with the js browserless SDK or the collection API directly.
Tag Management Systems
Recommended if your organization already utilizes a TMS or seeks to leverage the additional features they offer.
Each implementation method is comprehensively documented to assist you throughout the integration process.