How to Automate a Tableau Data Source Refresh with DMExpress

So, you’ve finally worked out your ETL process using Syncsort DMExpress and have it exporting a shiny new TDE file. Now what? Using the Custom Task in DMExpress, you can automate the publishing of that TDE to Tableau Server, and here’s how you do it:

Step 1

Using the DMExpress job editor, create a new Custom Task:

Step 2

In the Custom Task popup, set the Custom executable path to the path where you can find the tabcmd executable on the server that will be running this job:

Step 3

Add in the arguments to set the following:

1. Path and file name of the TDE
2. –s (the Tableau Server that you want to publish to)
3. –u (the user that has the necessary permissions to publish this data source)
4. –p (the password for that user)
5. –n (the data source name)
6. --overwrite (this flag is there so you can overwrite the existing data source)

Step 4

After you run the job, you will be able to see the same output in the log that you would have seen if you used a command window:

And Tableau Server now has the latest TDE:

Now you can sequence this task after your other DMExpress tasks and automagically update your Tableau Server without having to use scripts to watch folders or copy files. 

Ref: http://onlinehelp.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/tabcmd_cmd.htm