ETL Software Tools: Moving Beyond Transformation, Extraction and Loading

ETL refers to a process that transforms and loads data from source databases into a data warehouse where business users can access the data and use it with confidence when making decisions. It is essential that in any transaction, the organizations involved are fully aware of all data relevant to that transaction so that a decision may be arrived at without ambiguity, with absolute transparency and signed with mutual satisfaction. ETL tools are best known for their data extraction, transformation and loading capabilities. ETL systems commonly integrate data from multiple applications (systems), typically developed and supported by different vendors or hosted on separate computer hardware. It transforms all your data easily.

ETL software tools can save your organization time and money in terms of increased productivity. Understanding how the programs work and what operations they can perform is the first step in determining if they are right for your organization. ETL tools do not require custom coding and work with many of today's common business platforms, including Microsoft Office products: Access and Excel.

The ETL (Extract, transform, load) tools were created to simplify the data management with simultaneous reduction of absorbed effort.

Data Transformation: In the data transformation stage, a series of rules or functions is applied to the extracted data in order to prepare it for loading into the end target. It is quite common to incorporate business related data that is not included in the operational system during transformation. Business rules are added here as well. In this phase logical rules, transformations, substitutions, duplicate handling, and aggregations are performed.

Data Integration: Data integration involves combining data residing in different sources and providing users with a unified view of these data. ETL tools also offer to support for varied application integration. Tools normally support various data formats, including ASCII, EBCDIC, and XML.

Data Extraction: Data extraction is the act or process of retrieving data out of (usually unstructured or poorly structured) data sources for further data processing or data storage. Moving data from various source environments into designated targets is a key feature. Business rules are added as data is extracted.

Database Platform Support: Most ETL tool offer native platform support for the major database platforms. The majors: IBM, Oracle, Sybase, and Microsoft are approximately always supported.

Metadata Management: It is a key that provides better tools address to varying degrees. Metadata sharing with third party applications and bridges to business intelligent and OLAP environments are key features to watch for.

Administration and Development: ETL tools all have graphical, centralized managerial environments. To various degrees, they have load monitoring, auditing, and job scheduling features.

Scalability: It is the ability of a computer application or product (hardware or software) to continue to function well as it (or its context).

One of the greatest benefits of ETL tools comes in the form of information storing and sorting.ETL tools are a long-term investment in your business data and information needs that will hold their value to your organization for years to come.