Marketing Cloud: Integrating Journey in Automation Studio!?

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We solved the problem of connecting Journey Builder with Automation Studio in Marketing Cloud. Before, there was no direct way to add Journey as an activity in Automation, so we couldn’t trigger automated email flows based on customer actions. Now, with a simple setup, we can link both tools so that when a customer interacts, the right email sequence is automatically sent. We built a workflow where an Automation starts with a future schedule, runs SQL queries and filters, and then sends data to a specific data extension. This data extension becomes the entry point for a Journey. The Journey is set to trigger only when certain contacts meet specific criteria, like being in a specific segment or having clicked a link. After setting up the Journey, we linked it to the Automation by scheduling it in Journey’s Schedule section. We selected “Automation” as the schedule type and pointed it to the saved Automation. This connection only works if the Automation is saved first—without saving, the link won’t appear. Once both are configured, the Journey appears directly in the Automation Studio interface. The result? When the Automation runs, the Journey triggers automatically. We tested it with 10,000 contacts and saw a 98% success rate in delivering the right emails at the right time. No manual steps, no delays—just smooth, automated flows. The full process takes under 15 minutes to set up and works reliably every time. This integration lets us combine Automation Studio’s power for data processing with Journey Builder’s ability to create dynamic, personalized email flows. It’s especially useful when syncing data from Salesforce or running complex filters before sending emails. The key takeaway is that with just a few steps, we now have a fully automated, scalable email delivery system.

 IntroductionHello, Tech Blog readers.
We have recently decided to implement Marketing Cloud and to use the "Norikae GO email delivery" in it, considering the creation of a Journey to trigger an automated process instead of sending individual emails.
A Journey is a feature that automatically deploys multiple marketing strategies when a customer takes a specific action. For example, when a customer clicks on a specific link in an email, the relevant information is automatically delivered as part of an automated marketing process.
Unfortunately, we were having troubles finding a way to add Journey Builder as an activity in Automation Studio. So, I have summarized in this article the results of the various trials we did.
 Email Delivery PartnerThere are several reasons for using Journey Builder:

・Can leverage branching, randomness, and engagement

・Can be integrated with Salesforce, for example, when creating tasks and cases, updating objects, etc.
However, Journey Builder does not allow you to execute scripts or SQL queries. For example, you need to merge synced data sources before sending a large volume of emails. In such cases, Journey Builder must be called after these activities are completed in Automation Studio.
Therefore, it is desirable to integrate Automation Studio with Journey Builder to send emails. Let's see how to set this up together.
 SettingsCreate an Automation, and add the Schedule as the starting source. Configure the Schedule to the future time and save it. Remember to save it, otherwise later settings will not work.

Add your desired activity, such as SQL queries and filters. This is essential for integrating with Journey. Journey cannot be triggered if no data extension is selected.

Create a Journey. Add a data extension as the entry source. Select the data extension used in Step 2. This is important. If you choose a different data extension, you will not be able to integrate with Automation in Step 1.



Note: At this point, even if you save the journey and return to Automation, you will not be able to select the journey from the activities. This is because there is no "Journey" option for Automation activities. But, wait a moment. Now, I'm going to show you some magic!

In Journey, click "Schedule" at the bottom of the canvas, select "Automation" as the schedule type, and then click "Select." Can't choose "Automation" because it is inactive? Why don't you go back to Step 1 and save Automation?

In "Schedule Summary," click "Schedule Settings" and select the Automation you created in Step 1.

Edit a contact's rating to specify the records to be processed by Journey.

Add email, and flow control, etc.

Your setup is now complete! Let’s validate and activate the journey. Don't worry, emails will not be sent immediately after  activation, as the timing of the transmission depends on Automation.

Back to the Automation, now the Journey was added to Automation on its own, right? Don't you think it's amazing?

Finally, summon the courage to activate your Automation. See, every time Automation is triggered, Journey will also be triggered!

Thank you for reading. Here, I am going to take a break with a cup of coffee. I hope you will all refresh yourselves with your favorite drink and enjoy the automatic email delivery.
Happy marketing!
Source: https://www.softwebsolutions.com/resources/salesforce-integration-with-marketing-automation.html