Cody Rassi, Intern
Data Integration, in essence is a collection of the information a user wants to see all in one location. There are a number of aspects to data integration. This article will explain three: data connection, data synchronization, and data aggregation.
Data connection is the answer to the question, “Why can’t I see my data here?” This aspect of data integration connects data from one application or program with another. For example, if a user wants to use Microsoft Outlook as well as Basecamp, a team project organizing application, successful data connection will put copies of the work on outlook right into Basecamp. This allows for the user to easily share their work with their team. Even if not working with a team, data connection is useful to connect data from any application with another.
Data synchronization is the interaction between data from two different sources. At its simplest form, it is copying data from one source to another; however, this simple form can get messy quickly. It’s easy to have data be sent from one source to the second, but mess enters the situation when both need to be able to send and receive data changes. It is very difficult, time consuming, and therefore expensive to create a program that can successfully maintain data synchronization between multiple sources.
Data synchronization is the interaction between data from two different sources. At its simplest form, it is copying data from one source to another; however, this simple form can get messy quickly. It’s easy to have data be sent from one source to the second, but mess enters the situation when both need to be able to send and receive data changes. It is very difficult, time consuming, and therefore expensive to create a program that can successfully maintain data synchronization between multiple sources.
 | Because of the difficulty and expense of creating such a program, for most situations it is more sensible to instead program a system that has a different format. It is much more cost effective for small businesses to have a system that has an editable master copy that sends its information as read-only copies to other users. In this format, a user would adjust the data at the master level, then the system would take that data and send the read-only copies to the other sources. |
The final aspect of data integration is data aggregation. This is the process of collecting data from many different sources and compiling them. Data aggregation gives a user the ability to view all of their business’s data in one place instead of having to open and close windows repeatedly. It smooths over all the time lost to flipping between sources, copying and pasting, and trying to mentally organize information from many places. Data aggregation done well is likely what can be the difference between a thirty minute project and a five minute project.
Successful Data Integration makes business easier. It collects all the business’s data from many sources, organizes them in one spot, and allows the coordinated alteration of the data among the sources. Data Integration can easily be the answer to many of technology’s frustrating disconnections.
Successful Data Integration makes business easier. It collects all the business’s data from many sources, organizes them in one spot, and allows the coordinated alteration of the data among the sources. Data Integration can easily be the answer to many of technology’s frustrating disconnections.
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