Data Connections Overview
A connection is a secure link between your FunnelStory workspace and an external system—your CRM, warehouse, support tool, chat app, email provider, or analytics product. For databases and CRM systems you add a connection, then configure models (queries, objects, mappings) so FunnelStory can pull structured data on a schedule. Many app integrations (support, chat, meetings, product analytics APIs, webhooks, and similar) work once the connection is authorized—no model setup is required in the model builder.
How connections relate to models
Models define what you want from queryable sources (accounts, revenue, custom objects, and so on). Connections define where that data lives. For databases and CRM, you configure a model by picking a connection, writing a query or choosing objects, and mapping fields to FunnelStory properties. Until those connections are valid and models are saved, FunnelStory cannot refresh that tabular/CRM data.
App connections (for example Zendesk, Segment, or Slack) typically do not use that model flow: after you connect, FunnelStory ingests or receives the integration’s data according to the product’s built-in behavior.
What you can connect
| Category | Examples | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Databases & warehouses | PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, … | Query tables and views for models (often the source of truth for accounts and revenue data). |
| CRM | Salesforce, HubSpot, Attio | CRM objects for models. |
| Support & ticketing | Zendesk, Intercom, Freshdesk, … | Tickets and conversations on accounts. |
| Communication & meetings | Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Gong, … | Messages and meetings for conversation features. |
| SendGrid, SES, Mailgun, Postmark | Send from your ESP and domain in workflows. | |
| Product analytics | Mixpanel, Pendo, Segment | Product usage and events. |
| Enrichment | Apollo, Clearbit | Enriching account and contact records. |
| Storage & search | S3, Elasticsearch | Files or search-backed data for models. |
Adding a connection
- Open FunnelStory and go to Configuration → Connections.
- Click Add connection.
- Choose the integration, enter the required fields, and use Validate to test.
- Click Connect to save.
OAuth-based apps (for example Salesforce or HubSpot) redirect you to the provider to approve access. API-key and database connections stay in the form.
Refresh behavior
After a connection is connected, FunnelStory refreshes data on a schedule and also lets you trigger a manual refresh from the connections UI where supported. Model runs use the latest successful data from the underlying connection.
Network allowlists (firewalls and security groups)
If your database or other self-hosted endpoint only accepts traffic from known IPs, allow FunnelStory’s static egress addresses listed in Allowed IP addresses.
Private databases and SSH tunnels
If your database is not on the public internet, use an SSH tunnel so FunnelStory can reach it securely. See SSH tunnels.
Next steps
- Configure your first data models: Configuring the Account model.
- Query formats by source: Writing queries.
- Per-product setup: browse the subsections in the sidebar (Databases & warehouses, CRM, Support, and so on).