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Data Integration


Data integration is the process of retrieving data from multiple source systems and combining it in such a way that it can yield consistent, comprehensive, current and correct information for business reporting and analysis. Integration is the act of bringing together smaller components into a single system that functions as one. In computing, the source systems may be various types of digital devices and the data may be in a variety of formats.

Important data integration techniques include:
  • Data consolidation: Data is copied from multiple sources and integrated into a single data store
  • Data propagation: Applications copy and push data from one location to another
  • Data federation: Data federation software enables an organization to aggregate data from multiple source systems into a virtual database for use in business intelligence (BI) and other analyses.
  • Data warehousing: Data warehouses store data collected by various operational systems; the data is captured for access and analysis, rather than transaction processing.

 Customer data integration

Customer data integration (CDI) was one of the first drivers for consolidating and managing information from disparate sources. Software for managing data gathered through customer interactions can help ensure that departments across a business are able to reliably access the most current and complete view of customer information available.

Data integration in the cloud

Integration as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud-based delivery model that strives to connect on-premise data with data located in cloud-based applications. This paradigm facilitates real-time exchange of data and programs among enterprise-wide systems and trading partners.

In business-to-business (B2B) integration, IaaS allows partners to develop, maintain and manage custom integrations for diverse systems and applications in the cloud. In this way, the enterprise can more effectively pursue process innovations without the need to constantly modify and maintain diverse and often incompatible application programs.

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