With manual data management, human error will be an unavoidable issue and you may end up with incorrect information or bottlenecks caused by slowdowns. With new tools, you can establish stronger quality assurance processes through automation to clean the data, remove duplicates and highlight inconsistencies.
Data integration tools create a centralised dataset from all data sources, allowing for one version of the truth for all team members. Having access to data across your entire organisation can prevent information silos and open up new ways for different parts of your business to collaborate. This can also flow on to external parties such as clients, contractors and partners who may need to access your data quickly, creating better business relationships.
Data integration tools can also make the data more user-friendly, with dashboards available that make it easier to understand the current business situation, with all the information you need easily retrievable for all employees that need to access it.
If your business deals with multiple stakeholders, operation streams, locations or any other level of complexity, dealing with the influx of data from various sources can provide immense challenges.
While using old techniques such as batch processes or onerous scripting may work when data flows are simple, the more your business grows, the more likely you are to face fragmented and complex streams of information. Without investing in the right tools, you may find issues with data bottlenecks and lack of clarity.
We’ll explore the tangible benefits that come with using data integration tools and how they can improve your operations to help your business scale up effectively.
Time and Cost Savings
Data integration tools can allow for automatic code generation, reducing manual processes and thus saving time and resources, whilst preventing human error. In addition, automated processes do not need a dedicated role for setting up each database, then duplicating processes and amendments across multiple streams. Such efficiency gains can be substantial in the long run.
When you switch to using specialised data integration tools, you benefit from cohesion and optimisation. Rather than processing from different platforms, you’ll be able to pool your information into one source, saving time on information retrieval and cross-checking.
Introducing data tools can also be a springboard to implementing other systems within your organisation. As the data is more consolidated, you may be able to introduce new systems alongside your data processes, creating new ways to save on both time and costs.
Collaboration and Reliability
With manual data management, human error will be an unavoidable issue and you may end up with incorrect information or bottlenecks caused by slowdowns. With new tools, you can establish stronger quality assurance processes through automation to clean the data, remove duplicates and highlight inconsistencies.
Data integration tools create a centralised dataset from all data sources, allowing for one version of the truth for all team members. Having access to data across your entire organisation can prevent information silos and open up new ways for different parts of your business to collaborate. This can also flow on to external parties such as clients, contractors and partners who may need to access your data quickly, creating better business relationships.
Data integration tools can also make the data more user-friendly, with dashboards available that make it easier to understand the current business situation, with all the information you need easily retrievable for all employees that need to access it.
Better Decisions with Real-Time Data
Possibly the most compelling reason for using data tools; one that opens up the greatest possibilities, is real-time data. Rather than waiting overnight for updates from old style batch processing, many data tools allow you to view key insights within the current hour and, in some cases, in as little as a few minutes. Paired with more data analysis options, this gives you the ability for rapid decision-making based on clear and accurate information.
For example, you may use your singular view of the data to identify sudden key account sales losses, and react quickly to find out why and correct any issues. In such situations when time matters, this ability is invaluable. Having all the information in front of you means you are less likely to make assumptions or miss key factors that can affect your next move as an organisation.
You may also find new ways of flexible ways of doing business that arise from having access to up-to-date data. This includes clearer financial updates, better cashflow and accurate supply chain management.
Types of Data Analysis Tools
There are several different products available on the market and as data integration becomes more key for businesses, innovations and new competitors will emerge.
One of the most common considerations we believe business leaders should consider is the type of tools you’ll want to use. For example, we offer Qlik Replicate for businesses that need streamlined dataflows and fast analytics. If you have a more complex organisation, we recommend Qlik Compose for advanced analytics, allowing you to draw more insights from your data. Different platforms will have specific strengths and specialisations that can fit into your current functionality.
Another key decision is how to store your integrated data. If you require structure and easy access, a traditional database may be the best choice for you. However, there are also options such as data warehouses, which are often optimised for analytics or read access and data lakes, which let you make use of incomplete or unstructured datasets.
In terms of specifics, it is important to select a product that will best suit your data sets and business needs. At Cast, we work with you to advise on a solution that meets your needs and helps you unlock the full potential of your data for business improvement and growth.
