Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) is an active part of the database processing. It is a very significant part of data warehousing. Basically, ETL is nothing but the process of generating data, and also loading it to the suitable platform. The three processes of ETL collaboratively help the firms to make the most out of the data that they have collected.
As we know, a lot of data is generated on a regular basis. Therefore, needless to say, we need powerful systems to make sure that the data is not only recorded but also managed properly. If some of the reports are to be believed, then, the worldwide data sphere is expected to touch 163 zettabytes by 2025!
This is definitely a huge volume of data. And, only if the data is mined, managed and analyzed properly, the data can turn out to be useful for the companies. This is where the role of a renowned, trained and experienced ETL Data integration service providers comes into play!
Let’s understand ETL
ETL is all about extracting, transforming and loading data from a wide variety of different. It is a process that involves consolidation, refining, reduction and loading of the data. ETL is the collaboration of a set of processes required to make sure that the data is available for analysis.
The transformation of data is the process of refining the data and making it apt for the systems. It is done to get the desired output. A plenty of technical solutions have the specific features required to help the users perform ETL functions.
How does ETL work?
First of all, the data is mined from different type of data sources. After the data is extracted, it is transformed. Transformation is done to make sure that it is in the apt format or structure. It is important to transform the data in the correct shape, as only after transformation, querying and analysis can done.
The final stage is to move the data to the final target. ETL is a layered process but all the stages of ETL work in parallel. As the data gets extracted, the transformation of the already extracted data is done, and the data which is transformed already is loaded in the meantime.
It is a very rigorous process. Companies need cutting-edge technology, latest techniques as well the most expert resources to make sure that ETL is done properly.
Now, the question arises, from where does the data come to the ETL systems? Well, you would be surprised to known that the integration of data is done from several sources. Sometimes, the sources are even hosted on different computers.
However, the ETL team needs to work in sync to make sure that the data is extracted and loaded carefully after the transformation.
How is ETL beneficial?
ETL Data warehousing is very significant for present day’s business intelligence processes. Through the ETL tools, data from a wide range of sources can be collected and stored at one single place. And, from there, it can be programmatically analyzed. Basically, ETL makes it easy to identify the valuable business insights without much hassle.
ETL tools are important for Big Data as well. They are required to load the structured and unstructured data in USA Big Data Services (like Hadoop). High-end ETL tools are capable of reading and writing several different files together, to and from Hadoop. This is done to sort the merger of data in the transformation process.
Also, ETL tools not only reduce human errors but also automate the process of data analysis. Therefore, ETL is regarded as one of the most important processes to be executed in the companies.
