Data integration is an important step in enterprises to combine data from different sources and get a unified view. There are different data integration tools to carry out the ETL process (Extract Transform Load). A combination of three different functions is packed in a single tool. One most crucial property of ETL is to transform the heterogeneous data into homogeneous one, which later helps data scientists to gain meaningful insights from the data.
Below is a list of the top data integration tools
Apache NiFi
Apache NiFi helps to automate the flow of data between systems. It is one of the data integration tools that supports scalable data routing and transformation. Furthermore, it also provides system mediation logic functionalities. The platform executes within a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) on a host OS. The main parts of NiFi on the JVM include web servers, content repository, flow controllers, extensions, and much more. Besides running on premises, the data integration can also run on Google Cloud.
Some of the features include
- Web-based user interface: A smooth user experience between design, monitoring, feedback, and control.
- Highly configurable tool and a low latency. The data flow can be altered at runtime.
AWS Glue
AWS Glue is a serverless ETL tool. It is simple and cost-effective to organize data and to move it between the different data sources. Besides, the tool consists of a central metadata repository called as the AWS Glue Data Catalog. The repository acts as an ETL engine automatically generating Python or Scala codes. Additionally, it also provides a flexible schedule to handle job monitoring and dependency resolution.
Some of the features include
- Auto generation of ETL scripts to transform, compress, and improve the data from source to target.
- Auto detection of schema changes and auto changes based on preferences.
Azure Data Factory (ADF)
Azure Data Factory (ADF) is a cloud data integration tool that supports complex and hybrid ETL and ELT operations. It is one of the data integration tools that facilitates creation of data-driven cloud workflows. Consequently, this enables organizing and automating the data flow and data transformation.
The solution provides access to on-premises SQL Server data as well as Azure Cloud data. The access to on-premises SQL Server Data is fulfilled through a data management gateway.
Some of the features include:
- Zero code or maintenance when it comes to hybrid ETL and ELT pipelines
- Fully managed, scalable and serverless data integration
- Continuously monitor and manage pipeline performance from a single console
Informatica PowerCenter
Informatica PowerCenter is a metadata-driven hybrid data integration platform. Further, the tool helps to deliver faster and efficient data integration projects.
Some of the features include
- Scalability, performance, high availability, adaptive load balancing, dynamic partitioning, pushdown optimization, and zero downtime
- Support for grid computing, distributed processing
- Real-time data for applications and analytics for customer-centric applications
Infosphere Information Server By IBM
IBM InfoSphere Information Server is a hybrid data integration platform for cleaning, transforming, and delivering the data. Further, the tool provides massively parallel processing (MPP) and monitoring functionalities. Accordingly, users can get a flexible and scalable data integration.
Some of the features include
- Near real-time integration irrespective of the data types.
- Analyze and derive data insights through integrated data rules analysis.
- Assess and monitor data quality continuously.
Microsoft – SQL Server Integrated Services (SSIS)
Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is an on-premises platform for building high-performance ETL packages and data integration solutions. Further, the tool comes with GUIs to build and debug the packages. Moreover, it includes tasks for workflow functions such as executing SQL statements, FTP operations, and much more.
Oracle Data Integrator
Oracle Data Integrator is a hybrid data integration platform with a range of functionalities from high-performance batch loads to SOA-based data services. Besides, the tool in interoperable with Oracle Warehouse Builder (OWB) for a quick migration of OWB customers to Oracle Data Integrator.
Some of the features include
- Faster and simpler development and maintenance.
- Auto detection of faulty data, and auto cycling before loading in the target application.
Qlik Replicate
Qlik Replicate is a hybrid data integration tool with built-in features such as mainframe modernization, real-time data warehousing, and Oracle to Hadoop migration. Furthermore, the platform can automate the replication processes end-to-end, including target schema generation across the data center and cloud.
SAS – Data Integration Studio
SAS Data Integration Studio is a powerful visual design tool for data integration. It is useful to build, implement, and manage the integration irrespective of the data sources or platforms. Besides, the tool automatically captures and manages the metadata. Also, it enables the users to easily visualize and understand the data integration process. It can handle both on-premises and cloud ETL workloads. The studio is simple and supports multiple-user environments. Furthermore, it enables collaboration on multiple company projects with recursive and shared processes.
SAP – BusinessObjects Data Integrator
SAP – BusinessObjects Data Integrator helps to perform ETL tasks in an analytical environment. It enables organizations to extract data from any source (on-premises or cloud), transform & format, and finally integrate that data into almost any target database.
Talend
Talend is a hybrid data integration tool. It provides functionalities such as data quality, enterprise application integration, master data management, big data integration, and data preparation. It also provides a unified repository to store and reuse the metadata. Talend is offered as an open source version as well as a premium version. Some of the advantages of Talend include native code, faster designing, early cleansing, better collaboration, easy scalability, and real-time statistics.
Talend data integration tool is built on an open and scalable architecture. It facilitates developing and deploying data integration jobs quicker than hand coding. Besides the tool supports managing multiple ETL jobs and provides self-service data preparation.
Some of the features include:
- No need to write code. Leverage the built-in code generator.
- Use over 1000 out-of-the-box connectors.
- Eclipse-based GUI tools.
- Powerful versioning, testing and debugging, impact analysis, and metadata management.
- Advanced scheduling and monitoring. Real-time data integration with centralized control dashboards for fast deployment across the board.
- Subscription-based pricing model.
This article briefed on the different data integration tools available in the market. And it is important to analyze and choose the apt tool for your business requirements. For example, if you are looking to strictly do data integration within your premises, then SSIS would be good. But if you want to leverage the cloud power, then ADF would be better.
So, are you looking to modernize your data estate by choosing data integration tool? Deevita can help you build your enterprise data systems. Check out our data integration services and see how you can leverage your data better. Request a FREE demo today.