Data integration platforms combine data from multiple source systems to create unified sets of information for operational and analytical purposes. Its primary objective is to generate consolidated data sets and insightful information in order to address and meet customers’ needs and demands. For example, a retail company can leverage a data integration platform to manage inventory, sales, labor hours, and other crucial metrics across all their channels and partner ecosystems.
Today, data integration platforms are a necessity for modern business ecosystems. These modern solutions enable companies (across all industries) to implement new data connections and deliver the value promised to customers quickly, easily, and smartly.
For a better understanding, let’s explore six reasons why companies need a data integration platform.
1. You need to create new data connections quickly
Data integration platforms enable businesses to implement new data connections and deliver the promised value to customers. These new-age solutions leverage self-service and automation to empower non-technical business users to create data connections quickly. Users can rely on pre-built application connectors, AI-data mapping, shared templates, dashboards and intuitive screens to integrate data and connect with customers without delay.
2. You need to onboard customers quickly
Modern data integration platforms enable non-technical users to onboard customers up to 80 percent faster. Non-techie users need to point and click through easy-to-navigate screens to implement new data onboarding connections. This, on the other hand, is not true with legacy integration solutions. Why?
That’s because legacy data integration solutions take weeks, sometimes even months, to implement onboarding connections.
3. You need to lower the burden on IT
Because modern data integration solutions enable non-technical business users to implement new data connections, these solutions free IT integrators so that they can drive other strategic tasks. IT teams need not write long custom codes and perform extensive data mappings. Instead, they become free to focus on other high-value business projects.
4. You need to improve the productivity of teams across the board
For developers, IT integrators, and coders, automating the implementation of data connections via data integrations serve as a boon to productivity. The hours every month that would previously be invested in creating, managing, overseeing, and data connections manually can instead be devoted to other business pursuits. Non-technical business users, on the other hand, can use their time to build new data connections.
5. You need to delight customers and grow revenue
Now, because modern data integration platforms enable companies to connect with customers sooner, it becomes easier to address customers’ needs and deliver the value promised much more quickly. Consequently, customers become delighted and satisfied. These delighted customers are more likely to invest in other products or services from the company. And so, revenue grows.
6. You need to future-proof enterprise integration
Technology has surged at a rapid rate over the past decade. And this sudden growth shows no signs of taking a backseat. Machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and more are just some trends poised to transform the enterprise IT landscape in the future.
With a modern data integration platform in place, companies can easily enable business users to effectively integrate new technologies as they mature.