Every organization needs to integrate data from different sources. Whether you’re working with EDI or other critical technologies, things just need to work.
Yet data integration comes with all kinds of challenges—especially if you can’t hire dedicated staff to implement and support it. How do you get the integration you need and keep it running smoothly? Which data integration tools are right for your organization?
Glad you asked! Here’s what you need to know.
What is data integration?
B2B data integration is the process of bringing together data from multiple sources. It’s an essential and continuous process to keep an organization running smoothly with accurate information.
Data integration can be simple or complex. It all depends on the systems that are sending and receiving data, the operational processes being supported, and the complexity of the rules associated with the data.
Top 3 data integration tools
Naturally, data integration requires specialized tools. Without integration software, you would have to rely on manual data entry between systems.
Here at Corsica, we recommend 3 specific data integration tools, depending on the scenario.
- Corsica Integration Cloud. Our proprietary platform connects any data source to any other, giving you cohesive integration across different systems and operational processes.
- Microsoft Power Automate. Microsoft’s integration platform is built to automate business processes and increase efficiency.
- Microsoft Dataverse. Microsoft’s data storage platform can aggregate, store, and push data to and from different sources across your organization.
So which tool is right for your organization? The answer depends on the specific use case. Here at Corsica Technologies, we work closely with you to determine your integration needs and choose the right solution to solve your problem.
Common challenges with data integration tools
As with any type of software, data integration tools come with a wide range of capabilities. At one end of the spectrum, some tools are quite simple, with a low cost of entry and limited capabilities. At the other end, some tools are more complex and powerful, requiring services to support them.
Here are some challenges that companies often encounter with data integration tools.
- Complexity of requirements. Some tools are advertised as “self-service,” meaning that an admin can configure and maintain the tool through a graphic user interface without the need for coding abilities. Unfortunately, these entry-level tools rarely have the firepower to deal with the operational complexities of midmarket companies.
- Evolution of connected systems. A data integration tool doesn’t live in a vacuum. It’s deeply connected to other essential systems. As those systems receive updates, integrations can break down. The more systems you’ve connected, the more complex this maintenance becomes.
- Staffing. The more robust the tool, the more help you’ll need to maintain it. Even allegedly “self-service” tools will require human attention to troubleshoot their issues, which can occur quite frequently since the tool is actually pretty limited. Midmarket companies rarely have the resources to hire dedicated staff to keep their integrations running.
How to succeed with data integration tools
At this point, data integration may sound a little intimidating. It is intimidating—if you don’t have the right resources.
So how do you succeed?
There are two essential components of success:
- The right data integration tool
- Expert, dedicated services to support your integrations
Hiring these integration experts is challenging for midmarket companies. The talent pool isn’t big enough to satisfy every company, which drives up salaries and increases churn in these roles. For most midmarket organizations, the answer is to hire a data integration service provider.
Getting the services you need with data integration
Our clients come to us when “self-service” integration tools just aren’t cutting it. Systems and requirements are too complex, and it takes expertise to keep things running smoothly. The answer is clearly a data integration service provider. But how do you find the right provider?
Here’s what you should look for.
- Unlimited services for one predictable monthly price. You shouldn’t get nickel-and-dimed every time you need to update a data map or add a new source. It’s understandable that a massive project would require its own engagement, but for day-to-day maintenance, why can’t service providers just make life easy? That’s our philosophy here at Corsica Technologies. We do whatever you need without ringing up the cash register—and we do it all for one predictable monthly price.
- A “can-do” attitude. You shouldn’t feel like an afterthought when you interact with your integration service provider. They should make you feel like their most important customer. That means everyone on your provider’s team should have a “can-do” attitude. Here at Corsica, we only hire people who demonstrate this attitude. Our selectiveness translates into a relentless passion for our data integration clients.
- Deep expertise. Unfortunately, not everyone who offers data integration tools (or services) actually knows what they’re doing. Data integration is a complex discipline, especially when it comes to EDI integration. You need career experts helping you, not IT generalists.
Moving forward with data integration tools
Unless you’re a career expert, it’s tough to get data integration right on your own. That’s why our clients come to us for help. Whether they have a “self-service” solution that isn’t cutting it, or they’ve never achieved data integration, we help them move from data chaos to data harmony. Reach out today if you’re ready to build the holistic data machine that your organization needs.
Want to learn more about data integration tools?
Reach out to schedule a consultation with our integration specialists.
