Data exploitation has become a real challenge for the company, given the amount of information produced and collected daily. Integrating ETL into your organization can be a way to solve this problem. These tools allow a company to manage better and leverage its data to use it for decision-making and action. Does your information system consist of disparate data? Are your data not shared with each other? Do you want to use choosing the best cloud etl tools? Visual-Flow gives you some advice on selecting an ETL solution.
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Definition and purpose of ETL
ETL is an acronym that stands for Extract, Transform, and Load. It is the process of extracting, transforming, and loading data into a destination: the data warehouse.
ETL allows businesses to process, process, and utilize huge volumes of data from numerous sources. ETL’s purpose is to make heterogeneous data interoperable with each other and with the organization’s reference database so that it can be analyzed more effectively. ETL structures clean, compile, and aggregate data retrieved from various components of the company’s system to do this.
How the ETL solution works
In the first stage, ETL extracts data from various sources of the company business application database, CRM, ERP, website, etc.
This data is extracted in raw format through several connectors. ETL will store all this data on a virtual server before processing. ETL will then prepare the extracted data to make it usable in the target location. The data is transformed into the proper format, cleansed, and enhanced at this step.
Finally, the qualified data is sent to the target warehouse, where it will be exploited by different departments of the company.
ETL selection criteria
There are several ETL solutions on the market today. Each publishing business has its own set of characteristics. Your ETL tool should closely fit the demands and goals of your firm.
The choice of a solution should be made based on several criteria that need to be evaluated: the scope of the ETL project, the amount of data, the available resources and skills, the budget, the completion time, etc. Here are some indicators that you should pay attention to before choosing the best cloud etl tools.
ETL solution type
The type of solution may be a criterion that influences your choice of ETL. Publishers offer open-source, on-premises, or cloud-based ETL solutions.
- Cloud-based ELT solutions are typically offered on a subscription basis, while on-premise solutions that need to be installed are offered more as a per-user license.
- On-premises software will be installed directly on the company’s servers and therefore requires some availability and maintenance. In contrast, cloud ETL is managed by the publisher on a remote server and therefore requires no maintenance.
- Open-source solutions can also be found in the ETL market. This type of ETL is an alternative to proprietary solutions and often represents a lower cost.
ETL Solution Availability: Required Skills and Training
Also, consider availability in terms of skills before choosing the best cloud etl tools. Does getting started with the software require training or certification? What technical level is required?
Do the teams responsible for the ETL project in-house have the skills to use the tool? Will you have to use an external specialist service provider?
Supported operating systems
The list of supported operating systems is an indicator to check when choosing an ETL solution.
Is the software available on the systems you use every day, such as Windows or Linus? If you’re on a Mac, is the solution right for you?
Connectivity of the decision
Extracting data from diverse sources is a key component of ETL. As a result, the capacity to access the tool’s data sources is an important selection consideration.
Examine the suggested connections carefully. Is the solution compatible with leading databases, cloud platforms, CRMs, ESBs, and APIs? Check to see if the ETL solution supports custom connection creation.
Proposed training and qualification tools
Transformation features are also metrics to look out for in ETL solutions. The tool should allow you to prepare and qualify your data before uploading it to the data warehouse.
Ensure that the solution includes data cleansing, enrichment, and standardization capabilities.
Openness to programming languages
Is the ETL solution open to the programming languages your team is learning? If the tool requires manual coding, is it in a language your company is used to working with?
Graphical tools
Several solutions draw their strength from their graphical tools that make it easy to create ETL processes. Before choosing a tool, consider testing it to discover its interface and graphical tools.
Common dimension
The common dimension of the ETL solution is an important factor. Does the tool allow you to collaborate on a project as a group? If so, under what circumstances? In addition, consider how users are handled and their privileges.
Support and maintenance
Choosing a business intelligence solution is always influenced by the support and user service offered by the publisher. Does your license give you access to technical support? How fast and responsive is this support? Is maintenance of the ETL solution included in the price?
Cost
The cost of the solution will depend on the type of ETL you choose. For many companies, the cost is the main selection criterion when choosing a new solution. If it’s a free, open-source solution, consider the hidden costs of deployment, training, or certification.
In conclusion, ETL software is an indispensable tool for professionals who want to import data into centralized data warehouses. They simplify the creation of data transfer workflows and are often referred to as “no-code tools” because they require no programming skills to use.
There are several ETL applications available on the market, each with its unique set of features and functionalities. We’ve put up a comparison table of the many ETL solutions available to assist you to select the ETL software that best meets your needs. Please check the chart below to determine the best decision for your company.