ETL, data file exchange and CSV import tools: How to choose the ideal solution for your use case

If you’re working on data management or integration projects, you’re going to need to transfer data between different systems or applications. If you have customers using your software applications, loading those apps with data is a vital first step for the customer to derive value from using your software or service.?

Importing highly variable data files from countless, often unknown data sources is critical for businesses across industries, and successfully navigating the data import process is vital for a positive first impression. But how do you know which data file import solution is going to be ideal for your company as you grow and scale?

Well, we have some thoughts. Read on!

Like chocolate and peanut butter: When to use ETL, data file exchange (or both!)

ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) and data file exchange each plays an important role in ensuring data accessibility, accuracy, and usability.

ETL processes are responsible for automatically and regularly extracting data from specific sources, transforming it into a desired target format, and loading it into systems for analysis and reporting. ETL is perfect for well-structured data and highly managed systems and databases. You can use an ETL tool to do things like synchronizing master customer data between a CRM system and an accounting system or loading data from a transactional system into a data warehouse. However, these systems are built on the idea that data is only ever transferred between tightly managed IT systems.

Data exchange, on the other hand, helps with all the other data, specifically how to efficiently, quickly and securely collect, transform and load data files into your structured IT systems. If such files come from tons of different sources or arrive in a variety of formats and need mapping, review, cleanup and validation before you can import them, a data exchange solution will help you collect and load them into different systems, applications or databases, data file exchange is the solution you need.

Data exchange solutions are actually designed to work seamlessly alongside traditional integration solutions. ETL tools integrate structured systems and databases and manage the ongoing transfer and synchronization of data records between these systems. If you add a data exchange solution to your ETL tool, you’ll have the power to import and exchange highly variable data files from sources that aren’t managed by a professional IT organization. They can be implemented either on separate independent and parallel tracks or so that the data file exchange solution feeds the restructured, cleaned and validated data into the ETL system for further consolidation in downstream systems.

Read the full article to find out how pairing a data exchange solution with a traditional ETL tool offers numerous advantages in managing and transferring data and a number of key capabilities to your data integration stack.

CSV import tool or data file exchange solution: How to pick the right one for your needs

Two common solutions for facilitating this data exchange are CSV import tools and data file exchange solutions. While both serve the goal of transferring data, they differ significantly in their scope of functionality, automation capabilities, and integration with external systems.

A CSV import tool gives users options to map the values in a CSV file to fields or attributes in the application. This ensures that data is correctly imported and aligned with the structure of the target system. Essentially, a CSV import tool simplifies the process of importing data from CSV files into other systems or applications, saving time and effort for people who need to regularly transfer data between different platforms.

Data file exchange solutions, on the other hand, provide a broader set of functionalities beyond simple CSV file imports. These solutions are designed to support various file formats, data transformations, workflow automation, scheduling, error handling, and integration with external systems. Data file exchange solutions help organizations streamline complex data workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and ensure data integrity throughout the entire data exchange process.

A data exchange solution designed from the ground up can help any company safely and efficiently manage the data collection, import, onboarding and exchange of highly variable data files. Even if your files come from multiple sources in a wide variety of formats and need manual mapping, review, cleanup and validation before you can import them, a data exchange solution will help you deal efficiently with your real-world data.

Choosing the solution that makes sense for your organization is a critical choice because it directly impacts your success. Your decision should involve carefully evaluating all of the key factors that are relevant to your use case so that you can make an informed choice.?

Read the full article to discover what makes a CSV import tool different from a data exchange solution and exactly which features you should be weighing to decide which solution makes sense for your specific use case and needs.?

Kolleno helps companies get paid faster with Flatfile

"Implementing Flatfile has resulted in significant time savings for both our development team and the clients that use it."

Kolleno is a centralized and automated receivables, payments and reconciliations provider built for finance professionals, and as they grew, they realized that they needed a safe, secure, customizable and easy-to-use solution that would help them import critical CSVs for clients that required this feature. Although they built an in-house CSV importer to deal with their data import challenges, they quickly realized that they were going to need to find a data exchange platform that would help them scale.

Read the full story to learn how Flatfile was able to help Kolleno reduce the time data import tasks by 70%.

There's a critical missing piece in most integration architectures that common ETL systems don't solve. Download our in-depth ebook to find out how you can avoid data errors, reduce unnecessary data import costs and accelerate data availability and decision-making.