Best 10 Data Integration Tools & Software for Your Business
Data is like the oil that keeps your business engine running. No matter what industry you’re in, you rely on data about your customers, your suppliers, and even your own department to make better decisions. Data can also be used as a reference for overall business improvement. Without a doubt, data integration is an essential system in a company.
However, the data management process is quite long until it can finally be used as a reference for making decisions. One of the first processes before data can be used as a guide for decision-making is called data integration.
Of course, every business model requires a different type of formula, and each company needs different data integration tools and methods. If you face obstacles in finding what’s the most suitable data integration tools for your business, this article would be your great answer.
Let’s take a look at some data integration tools so you can figure out which one’s the best data integration tool to support your business!
What is Data Integration?
The term data integration describes the process of combining data from multiple sources, harmonizing it, and making it available across a company from one integrated system. The goal of data integration is to facilitate access and analysis of distributed data, avoid data duplication, and create a more comprehensive and accurate data visualization.
Using data integration tools, you can synchronize various data from any platform into an easily accessible and unified. An integrated system will certainly help you manage data efficiently, gain meaningful insight, and gain actionable business intelligence.
The Core of Data Integration
There are several steps that are usually passed in data integration. These steps are intended to guarantee the performance of the integrated data so that the results have appropriate quality and consistent.
The initial step that needs to be carried out and paid attention to is the process of collecting data. In this process, data from various sources is collected into one system. The are several methods commonly used by professionals:
- Extract, Transform, Load (ETL)
ETL is a data integration method that includes three main stages: extracting data from the source, transforming the data according to the desired format and structure, and loading the data into the targeted system.
The extraction process is carried out to take data from various sources such as databases, files, or applications, which are then processed and transformed to suit needs before finally being sent to the targeted system. ETL is often used in situations where data management must be processed and prepared before being integrated into the targeted system.
- Extract, Load, Transform (ELT)
ELT is a variation of ETL that changes the order of processing at the transformation and data loading step. In ELT, data that has been extracted from various sources will be directly loaded into the targeted system, and the transformation process will be performed after the data is already in the system.
The ELT method makes it possible to retrieve a large amount of data in a shorter time, as the data loading process is done before the transformation process. This method also provides the flexibility of being able to perform data transformation based on the needs at different times.
- Change Data Capture (CDC)
CDC is a method of integrating and synchronizing real-time data changes. This method allows the destination system to only detect and replicate the power that has changed from the source, not from the entire dataset.
The data integration process with the CDC method can be done more quickly and efficiently because only relevant data needs to be processed.
- Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)
EAI is a data integration method that focuses on merging various applications and systems. Using this method, different applications and systems can communicate and share data.
- Data Visualization
This is a method that allows access and integration of data from various sources virtually, without the need to perform the physical process of storing data. Data visualization leverages the prepared data from ETL to create visual representations. These visuals allow users to see trends, patterns, and relationships within the data that might be missed in raw form.
Since doing data integration manually is enormously time-consuming and prone to mistakes, figuring out how to efficiently integrate data has become a crucial challenge for most businesses, and, as such, many are increasingly turning to data integration tools to automate the process.
10 Best Data Integration Platforms to Support Your Business
Because businesses generate so much data across dozens or even hundreds of platforms, data integration becomes increasingly important as business grows. Data integration tools are used to automate the process of data collection and integration, enabling organizations to achieve a holistic view of their operations, enhance decision-making, and streamline business purpose.
Different data integration tools can serve organizations of different sizes and varied needs. With the right tool, you can achieve better data quality, improved data governance for fraud detection systems, and enhanced business intelligence capabilities.
So, let’s take a look at the 10 data integration tools recommendations that are available in the market.
- IBM InfoSphere DataStage
IBM provides advanced functionalities in data integration. Its visual interface is designed with collaboration in mind, allowing your entire team to connect their data sources seamlessly. To guarantee the optimal user experience, IBM DataStage is an easy-to-use data integration tool that doesn’t necessitate coding experience from the user.
With its advanced data cleansing features, IBM DataStage keeps crucial information accurate and consistent, meaning your decision can always backed up by quality data.
- Jitterbit
Jitterbit is an application and data integration tools that enables organizations to connect and integrate data, applications, and systems across their IT landscape. It provides a range of tools and features for data integration, application integration, and API management.
Jitterbit supports cloud-based and on-premises environments, making it suitable for hybrid infrastructure.
- Celigo
Celigo, as a cloud-native integration platform, furnishes pre-built connectors and integration templates to facilitate the connection and automation of data flows between various business applications.
As a data integration tools, it offers comprehensive solutions that enable a company to connect applications, synchronize data, and automate processes. Celigo also offers features that include an API assistant, a visual field mapping interface, and drop-down menus.
- AWS AppSync
Managed by Amazon Web Services (AWS), this tool simplifies the development of real-time applications by providing GraphQL APIs to access and integrate data from various cases, including real-time collaboration tools, chat applications, game applications, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and any other scenario where real-time data delivery and synchronization are critical.
- SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
SSIS is a part of Microsoft SQL Server database software and is used for various data replication and integration tasks. SSIS is known for its speed and flexibility in data warehouse environments, making it adept at tasks like data extraction, loading, and transformation.
- Fivetran
Fivetran is a cloud-native ETL platform specialized in streamlining the configuration and administration of data pipelines. As a data integration tools, Fivetran offers pre-built connectors to diverse data origins and transfers the data into a centralized table or spreadsheet.
It’s really helpful if your team needs a simple way to extract data from basic data sources and put them into a table.
- Informatica PowerCenter
Informatikan PowerCenter provides a comprehensive set of tools and functionalities for extracting, transforming, and loading (ETL) data from various sources into a target system like a data warehouse for example.
PowerCenter is renowned for its scalability, robustness, and capability to manage intricate data integration needs.
- MuleSoft
MuleSoft is another example of a data integration tool that focuses on applications enabling organizations to connect applications, data, and devices across their IT infrastructure.
It provides a comprehensive set of tools and services for designing, building, managing, and monitoring APIs, integration, and data flows. This tool will be suitable for companies with complex IT landscapes, including premises systems, cloud applications, and hybrid environments.
- Oracle Data Integrator (ODI)
Oracle is and data integration and ETL tool specifically designed for Oracle databases and applications. This data integration tools provides a comprehensive range of data integration tools catering for both traditional use and also contemporary use.
ODI is designed for medium to large enterprises across industries that require a powerful and scalable data integration solution.
- Dell Boomi
Like Celigo, Dell Boomi is a cloud-based integration platform that facilitates the connection and integration of applications, data, and processes across various systems and platforms.
I offer a comprehensive suite of tools and services to enable organizations to build, deploy, and manage integration efficiently in a short time.
Ready to Connect with the Best Data Integration Solutions?
Simply, data integration tools will make data more accessible and easier to accept for both the system and users. The right data integration tools will help you integrate, transform, and move data between various endpoints. With all the benefits, companies that utilize data integration tools tend to have a significant advantage over their competitors.
However, with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which data integration tools is the best to support your business. So, evaluating its pros and cons thoroughly will help you make the right decision for your business.
If you want to explore no-code data integration tools that can help you harness the power of real-time and batch-time data integration at scale, IBM InfoSphere DataStage, part of Optus Solution, could be your perfect match. Optus can leverage InfoShpere DataStage capabilities to quickly and efficiently manage and process large data volumes, including streaming data and data stored in big data environments.
Partnering with Optus not only effortlessly integrates data from multiple sources and supports a wide range of data formats, including structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data with all features on IBM InfoShpere DataStage, but also unlocks a myriad of benefits and resources.
As an integral component of the IBM InfoShpere platform, DataStage effortlessly integrates with other IBM Products, such as IBM Db2, IBM Could Pak for Data, and IBM Watson, providing organizations with comprehensive data management. Recently, Optus has upgraded the use of InfoSphere DataStage to enhance the ability to manage data, integrate systems, and support digital initiatives and analytics.