The force of data will keep having an impact on business whether on a large or small scale.  Enterprises in the UAE are increasingly relying on Data to manage a big amount of information. They use data to streamline their business decisions and arrive at key decisions that fuel business growth and innovation. 

But how do they manage this data gathered and make it relevant to their business? It’s simply a way of data integration.  This means they gather information from multiple sources and gather them into a simple, unified view.

This is to ensure accuracy, consistency and simple access to data. It also helps businesses to quickly gain insight into their operations and customers behavior.  Without integrating data, businesses will find it difficult on how to use it for making business decisions.

There are several means to integrate data gathered. This is called data integration techniques.  This article is an in-depth guide to common data integration techniques available for your business. It will also provide how to select the best data integration technique for your business and the key benefits of  employing advanced big  data integration services to help transform your business. 

Five Major Data Integration Techniques that Help Business in the UAE

Manual Data Integration

This is some way of extracting data from multiple sources and combining it into one unified view. The extraction of data is done by manual extract from different sources and will also be inputted into a file manually. Though the method can take time and there is a high chance of error, it is highly useful for small scale businesses that only source information from a few channels.

ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) Integration Technique

This is a common technique that allows businesses to pull data from different sources, transform the data into a common format, then load it into a central database for desired analysis. This is done by way of using  automated software like Apache Airflow, IBM Infosphere, Microsoft SQL, Hadoop and many others.

This technique helps business in many ways. It helps enhance decision making. It means businesses can identify their inefficiencies quickly and optimize the processes for a solution. It’s also a good technique for businesses looking to scale their operations even if they’re performing optimally.

Also, it’s noted that many industries in the UAE like finance and healthcare have strict regulatory requirements for data management. ETL techniques can help companies maintain compliance by making sure that data is accurate and up-to-date.

API Integration

It is a form of integration that involves using APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). The application allows different systems to connect and exchange data in real time.  It’s mostly used for cloud-based systems and usually connected to multiple platforms.  It’s an efficient technique for businesses looking forward to streamline how they can integrate and connect data. The common API software are Astera software, MuleSoft, Cleo, and Jitterbit.

APIs enable businesses to integrate and share data in real-time. This is especially important for fast-paced industries like e-commerce and fintech in the UAE. The technique also offers flexibility as companies can customize how data is pulled and shared between systems.

Data Virtualization

This technique is all about creating a virtual view of the data you aim to gather. It allows users to access and analyze data from different sources as if it is a single source. It means they won’t have to move or copy the data into a central repository. It helps businesses to create a unified view of their data in real time. The main benefits of the technique is that business will avoid complexity associated with physical data consolidation.

It also reduces the need for expensive hardware and storage systems because data can be accessed without physically consolidating it. With the technique, businesses will also reduce duplication and maintain data integrity.

Cloud-Based Data Integration

Many businesses, especially digital based ones, are now moving their operations to the cloud. So, this technique involves using cloud platforms and services to consolidate data from different sources. This allows businesses to store, manage, and analyze their data in one centralized location. The most popular softwares for performing the task are Amazon S3, BigQuery, Google Cloud Storage, Snowflake, Microsoft Azure, or Segment Data Lakes.

The technique allows companies to handle large volumes of data without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.  Businesses only pay for the services they use and this reduces the overall cost of data management and storage.

Many cloud-based data integration services have robust security measures and ensure that businesses in the UAE can protect sensitive data  without defaulting local regulations. Another core benefit is that businesses can access their data from anywhere. This improves collaboration among teams in different locations across the UAE or globally.

How to Build  Strong Data Integration Strategy for your Business?

As a business that wants to thrive and keep up with competitors in the UAE, adopting a strategic data integration approach is crucial. It will help maximize their business value and minimize potential challenges like  data silos, inconsistency, or any form of  security risks.

The first step is to identify data sources. Business should not leave any source  untarget. Include sources like  internal systems, customer databases, and external platforms. This will allow the integration process to capture all relevant data for analysis.

The next line of action is to know the right integration technique for your business. The position, industry, size and the existing infrastructure of  your company determines the most suitable option for you.

Also, factors like complexity of the data, its volume and the required frequency of updates largely determine the technique to choose. Some cases may even require combining two methods.

You may choose data virtualization or API technique if you aim to integrate data from multiple sources in real time. If you want to get data from a legacy system, manual integration is enough. ETL  is a better option if you need to integrate data from large sources.

Another concern is the security measure while integrating your data. Businesses need strong security measures to protect sensitive data during the integration process.

To get the best result, it is recommended that you leverage Data Integration companies. Experienced data integration services providers will help businesses follow the best data gathering and analysis practices.

Conclusion

As businesses are embracing transformation to stay afloat of the overwhelming competition, data integration stands as one of those measures that’s highly instrumental to their success. It helps businesses streamline data processes and aid them in making best  decisions.

This advanced analytics improves customer experience and they’re central tools for modern business strategies. Engaging data integration companies and deploying big data integration services can help UAE businesses stay ahead in a competitive market and make long term success.