A record can have multiple email addresses and phone numbers. These contact methods are stored on the [device] table and are flattened and synced with other tables, such as the [person] table, through real-time updates. We outline several key points and scenarios in this article.
Device table key columns
Record: The person ID (or another record ID)
Type: Email, phone, mobile, and business (these types are customizable)
Value: The email address or telephone number
Priority:
1(high)0(normal)-1(low)-2(inactive)
Rank: The highest-priority, most-recently updated device for a record+type
Importing emails and phone numbers
When setting the [email], [phone], [mobile], or [business] columns on the [person] table, as can happen through an online application, an Upload Dataset import, or a form, we will push that contact address into the [device] table, if it does not already exist, with a normal priority.
If the device already exists and a change is made to the device type or device value, we will set its Device Updated Date to the current date/time to push it to the top. If no change is made to the type or value for the device, the Device Updated Date will not change.
If the device already exists for the former value on the
[person]table and the value is set toNULLon the[person]table, we will set the device to inactive. (Including aNULLvalue in an Upload Dataset import will not be affected by this, asNULLvalues are automatically excluded from imports.)If the device already exists for the former value on the
[person]table and the new value is different, we will add a new device and will retain the former device.
Managing devices administratively
Devices appear on the Profile tab → Contact/Address. You can delete, modify, and insert any number of additional devices.
When there are changes to the devices table, the ranks are recalculated and the [person] table is updated to match. This ensures that all existing data feeds, filters, and exports continue to function as originally designed.
Multiple devices through merges
When two records are merged, their devices list are merged following the same protocols as mailing addresses, where the high-priority, recently-updated addresses take precedence over normal or low-priority addresses.
Using multiple devices
The Messages section on the Interactions tab looks at the messages associated with all active and inactive email addresses, providing a comprehensive history of the email communications to that recipient.