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Data integration: get the most out of your business data with the Kit Digital

20 Feb 2023. 20:24
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  • SME maturity
    Initial
    Topic
    1. Inteligencia de Negocio (Big Data y D&A)
    Scope to digitize
    1. Business processes

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Customer database, marketing actions metrics, list of potential customers are just a sample of the data that a business manages. Did you know that the Kit Digital offers you a solution to integrate them in the same system? We tell you all the details here!

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What is data integration?

The use of data is essential to optimise business decision making. How much our customers spend on average in our business, who are the people likely to buy our product, who we have impacted with an email marketing campaign and what the results have been, are just some examples of this type of information.

However, in order to use it strategically, it is essential to group them in a simple and schematic way. Therefore, data integration consists of bringing together data from different sources to obtain a unified and valuable view. In other words, it is the process of combining heterogeneous data from different sources into the form and structure of a single application. In this way, you will be able to make better decisions, and in a more agile way.

This technique is usually implemented using specialised software that stores data from both internal and external resources. To do this, data is extracted, combined, and represented in a unified way. However, as organisations increase the amount of data stored, the task of accessing it becomes more complicated and it is essential to create a defined path for its correct integration.

 

Integration data advantages

Now more than ever, businesses need to understand consumers in order to meet their needs. By collecting data, you can study the concerns and needs of your target audience in depth. By integrating data into your strategies, you can draw conclusions and keep up to date with market trends.

Among the advantages of data integration are the following:

  1. Maximise the value of data

Unifying data across different channels maximises its potential, ensuring that stakeholders have optimal visibility. This transparency extends to both internal and external users to drive collaboration within the business.

 

  1. Provides a complete view of the business

Including a complete picture of business performance as well as processes. Easy access to business data can also reduce the number of errors made.

 

  1. Improving fast connections between data storages

With the integration of an effective data system and transparent connections, you will be able to access your data in a secure and accessible way whenever you want.

 

  1. Improved customer and supplier experiences

Thanks to good data storage and management, you can also anticipate the wishes of your stakeholders. For example, in a marketing environment, you can place orders with your suppliers in anticipation of inventory replenishment needs.

Generally, developing a data integration strategy contributes to business success. However, in certain situations, data integration can pose certain challenges, which we will explain below!

 

Challenges of data integration

The biggest challenge we may encounter when integrating data are the difficulties in linking a diverse set of systems into a single system, resulting in:

  1. Obsolete or low-quality data: to avoid collecting obsolete, duplicate, insufficient or inaccurate data, it is essential to establish standards for data entry and maintenance. In this way, inconsistent data will be organised for proper disposal.
  2. Disparate formats and sources: given the number of teams and the number of tools used, there may be disparities in the format of the data.
  3. Difficult access to data: when the number of data is large and unorganised, it is difficult to access them. Consequently, this affects productivity, as groups of data may be inaccessible.
  4. Wrong choice of software: finally, you may be using the wrong software. You need to know the right solution for proper integration of your data.

Having seen the challenges and advantages of data integration, it is important to understand its uses.

 

What’s integration data for?

Data integration can be applied in all possible fields - from agriculture to real estate. Here are the most common uses:

  1. Data warehousing: bringing together information from different sources into a data warehouse to be used for business purposes.
  2. IoT (Internet of Things): helping to collect data from multiple IoT sources in one place to derive value from it.
  3. Marketing: marketing data (web statistics, social media, demographic information, etc.) is moved into one place for analysis.
  4. Database replication: forms a crucial part of data replication from a source database to a data warehouse in the cloud.

Looking to integrate your data more efficiently? Thanks to the Kit Digital Programme, you can explore Business Intelligence tools such as Microsoft Power BI and apply these solutions in your SME.

If you are self-employed, do not hesitate to contact us to find out how to apply for the digital bonus and enjoy its advantages!

 

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