The hallmark of man’s invention, the wheel completely changed our lives. From a simple cart to electric vehicles – all can be attributed to the invention of the wheel. What does it have to do with data integration? Nothing really, but it’s a good analogy to see how things have evolved in the realm of data integration, and relying on outdated methods is equivalent to walking when you can take a ride. 

According to Forbes, 80% of organizations believe that data integration is critical to their ongoing operations. However, with the pace at which we are moving these days, data integration alone cannot decide your success. The key term over here is speed – in the end, it all boils down to how fast you can move compared to your competitors.  

So, how can your organization become more agile? By adopting the wheel or, in terms of data integration, adopting code-free data integration tools with pre-built connectors. There is always the option of manual coding, but with the data challenges these days, it comes with a high cost. 

Let’s discuss some data challenges of the modern era and how pre-built connectors can help you overcome them. 

Increase in Variety of Data Sources 

A survey commissioned by Matillion and IDG showed that, on average, companies collect data from 400 sources. Today, companies must deal not only with the data they are generating internally but external data as well. The pandemic highlighted how important external data can be. As consumer habits and purchasing behaviors changed in a matter of a few months, rendering all past data obsolete, businesses had no choice but to rely on external data. 

This is where pre-built connectors can come in handy. Imagine coding for 400 different sources. Even if you are a small organization with only a couple of data sources, you can never match the speed offered by data integration tools. These tools already have connectors for popular sources and destinations. For example, a data integration tool can significantly speed up data warehouse deployment with Snowflake integration. So, why built them when you can buy them and save yourself a great deal of time?  

Exponential Rise in Data Volume 

Even though it is a given, it is worth mentioning that data is growing exponentially. Just to give you an idea, according to Statista, global data creation is expected to reach 180 zettabytes by the end of 2025. 

Now imagine building data pipelines manually to handle large volumes of data. What if you have to migrate a NoSQL database to a relational database such as SAP HANA? It is not only going to take up a lot of time, but the data will most likely be ridden with various quality issues. A code-free data integration tool, on the other hand, can come with a connector that will make SAP integration a breeze. 

The Need for Faster Time to Value

The pandemic showed us that we need to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. It highlighted the importance of being agile and making faster and reliable decisions. 

With the data challenges prevalent these days, there are a lot of limitations associated with manual coding. Hand coding increases time to value, but it also increases your cost, is not future-proof, and most importantly, lacks automation. 

On the other hand, code-free data integration tools with pre-built connectors significantly accelerate your data-driven initiatives. They are continuously evolving, and the best part is that anyone can learn to master them. 

Plus, you can only gain a competitive advantage if you focus on your core business rather than spending time on maintaining data pipelines and gathering data. 

So, in short, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.