Despite the availability of automated data integration tools, a large number of large and small businesses are still performing data integration by hand.
While manual data integration is an effective way to manage data, it has certain limitations compared to automated data integration.
Here is a look at the benefits of switching to automated data integration tools.
Prevalence of Manual Data Integration
Manual data integration with SQL coding or stored procedures is still a very common practice among businesses. In fact, it may be the most prevalent form of data integration method that is being used today.
Most small and medium-sized companies use SQL to transfer and integrate data, and many large companies rely on manual coding to perform certain data management tasks.
One of the reasons why so many businesses prefer to integrate their data by hand is because they already have the skill set needed to do it. Most companies have computing experts who are familiar with manual coding and SQL, and they feel more comfortable doing data integration manually.
Additionally, data integration processes are usually not very well-planned tasks, and companies may sometimes find themselves having to add more information to their reports. This can be easily done with SQL or stored procedures.
Many businesses are deterred from using automated data integration tools because the best tools are usually relatively expensive and the more affordable ones may not be sophisticated enough.
Benefits of Implementing Automated Data Integration Tools
Manual data integration is not the best way to integrate a large amount of complex data, because it can compromise accuracy.
It is common for businesses to make errors when they are transferring data manually, and they may have to process the data and integrate it into the appropriate formats all over again.
This can result in a lot of wasted time and effort.
Here are a number of reasons why companies should consider crossing the data integration tools chasm:
Eliminates the Need to Redevelop Processes
Many improvements have been made to automated data integration tools over the years, and now, they provide much more functionality than they did when they were first introduced.
The latest tools come with many data integration processes, and they can make the task of managing data a lot easier. Businesses that integrate their data manually have to spend a lot of time to redevelop these processes.
Automated data integration, on the other hand, enables them to perform data integration with minimal coding, and it also offers process management, code management and built-in documentation.
Keeps Data Organized
Most companies that use SQL have difficulty documenting the locations of stored procedures.
The stored procedures are usually scattered across many databases, and it is even hard for SQL experts to know how they are connected to one another. Although manual data integration is cost-effective, it can get messy when the code builds up over time.
Presently, there are many different types of automated data integration tools available to suit different data management needs.
Businesses have to evaluate their needs thoroughly and do proper research to determine which data integration solution is most suitable for them.
About the Author: John McMalcolm is a freelance writer who writes on a wide range of subjects, from social media marketing to Cloud computing.
