Last Updated: 08 Oct 2020 | 5 min read
ETL, as you can probably guess, is an abbreviated term that stands for Extract, Transforms, and Load. It encompasses the methods of transferring data from various sources into a data warehouse. It’s currently one of the most crucial elements of business intelligence. ETL developers are IT specialists who design data storage systems. If you wish to find out what you need the services of an ETL expert, then you should continue reading.
The incredible rise in self-service analytics makes it a significant selling point in the world of business intelligence. One reason to create self-service analytics is to gain easy access to organizational data.
Now, the real question is: how can you get your data from every external application data sources into a usable format? The answer is to hire dedicated developers that specialize in ETLs.
In today’s day and age, ETLs are a vital aspect of Business Intelligence. Do you have an ETL developer in your team? If not, then you can outsource your IT requirements to a company that employs experienced tech wizards. They can create data groups using data gathered from various sources into a single place for analytics programs to work on. With it, you can also garner considerable business insights. The significance of ETL is something that no business company can trifle with.
About ETL
For modern businesses, data forms the foundational blocks. It isn’t going to be too useful in its own form. Apart from that, business owners often store data in the form of an application database. The problem with this particular form of data storage tactic is that it’s challenging to analyze.
As a result, business companies must hire dedicated developers. They possess essential ETL tools. With those tools, they take data from multiple systems and include them in one database, also called a data warehouse, for storage and analytics.
ETLs incorporate data migration from one application or database to an analytical database. Every ETL takes three steps to get the data from one database to the other. These include Extracting, Transforming, and Loading.
(1) Extracting: This function involves reading the data as it remains inside a database. This stage even includes data collection and extraction. Based on the type of system, the extractor might operate in multiple ways. It can extract the data in the form of a flat-file or pull it directly from an API. This action depends on the risks of interacting with the application system, timing requirements, and other technical obstacles.
(2) Transforming: This function converts the extracted data into the appropriate format for storage and analysis. The process includes altering the extracted data from its previous structure into a more de-standardized format. The step depends on the end-database. Data warehouses generally have a specific design pattern that needs reshaping and incorporating slow-changing dimensions.
(3) Loading: This function includes the process of writing the transformed data into a new database of the application. It can take multiple steps, as each stage may enhance the data uniquely. The basic setup is about having raw, staging, and production databases. Of course, there are other configurations based on the requirements of the project.
Use cases
If you hire professional IT experts, then they can use ETLs to prepare data and make it accessible and meaningful for analysis. ETLs serve a few other purposes too. Here are a few examples worth mentioning.
(1) Integrating the data: Data integration happens almost regularly in the business world today. Connected systems remain aware of updates made in adjacent databases. It doesn’t tie into the particular application directly, but it can be quite valuable. It helps in bestowing new features and functionalities into applications and gives you new insights by bridging the gap between products.
(2) Storing the data: Data warehousing is a vital component in creating dashboards and other business intelligence functions. They act as the central hub for financial, marketing, employee data, and supply chain from several applications. This feature lets business owners ask questions across departments and gain insights.
(3) Transferring the data: Data migration is a necessary evil. When you have to upgrade or switch systems, then you also have to move your data. This task often involves several changes, as both databases and systems are absolutely alike. In turn, it leads to the need to convert data and change the functionality to fit the new system. After establishing, it’s possible to transfer the data seamlessly. You should hire professional IT experts to help you with this task. Data migration isn’t enjoyable, but it’s one of those cases where ETL comes in handy.
The importance of ETL
The size of your company, the level of complexity in its operations, and the number of data sources you have don’t matter. If you utilize ETLs, then your business will benefit from it. After all, you get better access to your data. ETLs can provide you with information on everything that’s happening in your business processes. Additionally, you will be able to create reports and metrics that will help you come up with new strategies.
About ETL tools
Organizations can choose from many different ETL tools. Selecting a standard ETL toolset is a vital step as it will affect the team’s ability to develop in the future. Picking a niche ETL framework can make things challenging for you in your search for developers that can design your infrastructure. It’s one of those reasons why you should consider outsourcing the task to IT firms. They have their ETL experts and every ETL tool that they need.
To conclude
Business corporations of today expect easy and quick access to data. It led to an ever-increasing demand for transforming data into self-serviceable systems. In that regard, ETLs play a crucial role in this system. Those who specialize in ETLs ensure that the analysts and data scientists gain access to data from several application systems. It makes a massive difference and allows companies to gain new business insights.
