Introducing Global parameters
If you are working with UsageCloud, you probably deal with API tokens, URLs, passwords, and other environment‑specific values that you need to use in multiple streams and functions. Managing these values separately in each configuration quickly becomes hard to maintain and is error‑prone. Global parameters let you define environment variables once and reuse them across multiple functions and streams within a single UsageCloud account.
A quick look at the interface
You manage everything from the Global parameters page in the left‑hand panel of UsageCloud. You can add new parameters, update existing ones, and clean up anything that is no longer needed, all in one location.
Public API availability
Global parameter are not only available in the interface, they are also exposed via the public API. See https://infozone.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DAZ/pages/224920235 for information on accessing the APIs and environment‑specific endpoints.
This means you can:
Create scripts and update parameters as part of your CI/CD pipelines.
Keep configurations in sync across environments using automation rather than manual clicking.
Key benefits
Global parameters are all about making your configuration easier to maintain. There are three major benefits:
Reusability
Once you define a parameter, you can use it across multiple streams and functions.
This means:
No more copy‑pasting the same URL or token into ten different places.
Less risk of typos or mismatched values across environments.
Cleaner, more consistent configurations.
Security
Sensitive values like passwords, tokens, and API keys can be flagged as Sensitive. These are encrypted and stored safely, and always masked in the interface.
We recommend using Standard parameters for non‑sensitive configuration data, and being deliberate about using Sensitive only for truly sensitive values such as passwords and authentication tokens.
Maintainability
Whenever you update a parameter value, all functions that reference it will automatically pick up the new value the next time the stream starts (manual or scheduled).
This means:
You do not need to hunt through every stream to update a password or endpoint.
Rollouts of configuration changes are more controlled. You know they are applied at stream startup, not mid‑run.
Using Global parameters in your streams
With Global parameters, you define reusable environment values in one place and give each a clear hierarchical name.
You then reference the parameter in functions instead of a literal value, so the system resolves the referenced parameter to the underlying value when the stream starts. Any subsequent update to the global value takes effect the next time the stream starts, whether you initiate it manually or according to a schedule.
For detailed guidance on creating and referencing parameters, see https://infozone.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DAZ/pages/776667290 and https://infozone.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DAZ/pages/781549670 .
Global parameters and Secrets wallet
This is an important part for anyone who are using Secrets wallet today.
Global parameters is the replacement for Secrets wallet. They bring more flexibility (you can use them across all authentication fields) and a consistent way of managing both sensitive and non‑sensitive configuration values in one place.
To help you move smoothly:
You are encouraged to start using Global parameters instead of Secrets wallets, especially for new streams or when you are touching existing configurations.
Global parameters are supported across all authentication fields, so wherever you would have used a Secret wallet, you can now plug in a Global parameter reference using
{{param:parameter_name}}.
What is changing?
Secrets wallet will be deprecated in the future, but not immediately. Your current setups remain intact and functional.
Further communication about the migration from Secrets wallet to Global parameters will follow, so you will have clear guidance on how and when to move existing configurations.
In short, it is a good idea to start using Global parameters in new streams and to update existing streams to use Global parameters when possible. You get the benefits now, and you are better prepared for the future deprecation of the Secrets wallet.
We hope you enjoy this new feature. As always, we appreciate your feedback. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us through our https://digitalroute.my.site.com/s/.