Recalling from the very first article of the series introducing data integration, data integration combines data residing in different sources into meaningful and valuable information. As the information is transformed, it provides users with a real-time view of business performance. A strategic data integration approach facilitates consistent movement and delivery of data, creating a unified view of data across a wide range of applications. There are several approaches to data integration: 

1. Manual Data Entry 
2. Plug and Play 
3. Manual File Download and Upload 
4. Do It Yourself (DIY) 
5. Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) 

Each one of these approaches is unique and fulfill specific business needs. At the end of the day, the approach you choose has to be accompanied with a strategy. Once you adopt the right approach, it’s time to start enjoying some of the benefits like;

• Improved business performance by integrating data from multiple sources it allows you to exploit the value of insight, improve processes, and provide a better customer experience. 

• Reduced data errors by automating the error-prone process of manual data entry and ensuring data are located where it needs to be quickly and efficiently.  

• Increasing the value of data by transforming the data into a unified model creating a consistent structure allowing you to leverage your data strategically.

Recall from Article 3, the process of data integration does not clean, validate, or fix your data. Remember, data integration is the movement of data from disparate sources. Think of it as garbage in and garbage out, whatever information is inputted into the system, it will be the same one that is integrated through the applications. 

What does this mean? Well, the validation of information needs to happen before the information is sent. For example, if your customer accidentally spells the address, postal code or city wrong then you will have incorrect data surging through your applications. So, if the data is wrong per se then it needs to be thoroughly checked for any errors or inconsistencies prior to being integrated. Here’s why data integration does not alter the data since data integrity must reside in the central point of truth for that data element. Meaning, that the true value of the data should reside where the data was originally created. 

Absolutely, adopting a strategic data integration approach is an investment toward digital transformation. As I discussed throughout the series and specifically in the fourth article, adopting a data integration approach is not a cheap quick-fix solution, it is more complex than that. It involves adopting a strategy and approach to ensure the solution perfectly fits your business needs. 

If you don’t view it as an investment towards the future, the result of adopting a poor approach to data integration can have severe repercussions. Such as, loss of revenue, loss of customers to competitors, and diminished customer experience. But, when a data integration solution is accompanied with a well-rounded strategy and approach it will optimize business operations. 

As demonstrated by a recent study conducted by Forrester, the majority of challenges associated with data integration are a result of inadequate or weak integration strategies.