In the world of software as a service (SaaS), understanding your metrics is crucial. Enter Pulse, an open-source tool designed to provide transparency and ease of use when tracking these metrics. This blog will guide you through the essential features of Pulse, how to self-host it, and how to connect it with Google Sheets.

Key Features of Pulse

• Transparency: Dive deep into your metrics and discover their calculations at the customer level.
• Open Source & Private: The entire application is open source, allowing for easy self-hosting.
• Extensible & Hackable: Modify your data model easily using SQL to tackle any unique challenges.
• Push First: Receive metrics directly in Slack, Google Sheets, or via email, eliminating the need for constant dashboard checks.

Setting Up Pulse

You have the option to use a free hosted version of Pulse or self-host it. Let’s explore both options.

Self-Hosting Pulse

For those comfortable with a bit of configuration, self-hosting Pulse can be done using various platforms.

• Docker: Refer to the provided docker-compose.yml file to get started.
• Render: Use the render.yaml as a guide, but remember to omit the domain.
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Details coming soon.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS): Details coming soon.

Connecting Pulse to Google Sheets

To connect Pulse with Google Sheets, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Sheet you want to integrate.
2. Click on Share in the top right corner.
3. Share the Sheet with paperbot@paperfinancial.iam.gserviceaccount.com.
4. Note the Spreadsheet ID (the long ID in the Sheet URL) and sheet name, then add it to the Pulse settings.

-- Example of settings in Pulse --

Troubleshooting Tips

If you run into issues during setup or when using Pulse, consider the following troubleshooting ideas:

• Connection Issues: Ensure that the Google Sheet is shared correctly and that the right permissions are set.
• Metric Calculation Errors: Double-check that customer metrics are input correctly into Pulse.
• SQL Modifications: Verify your SQL queries for syntax errors, ensuring they match your desired output.
• General Performance: When in doubt, restart the hosting service to refresh connections.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

Analogy to Understand Pulse Features

Imagine you are the captain of a ship traveling across vast waters with diverse weather conditions, just as a SaaS business navigates through market uncertainties. Pulse is like your state-of-the-art navigation system that not only shows you the direction but also reveals detailed maps (transparency) of the waters under you. If the tide changes unexpectedly (an edge case), you can easily customize your route (data model updates) on-the-fly using a piece of equipment that only requires a bit of tweaking (SQL). And unlike many navigational tools, you can receive real-time updates directly to your instrument panel (push to Slack, Sheets, and email), allowing you to focus on steering your ship towards success without the constant need to check multiple displays.