Built to Last: Choosing a Data Integration Platform for the Long Haul

In our recent eBook – 6 Keys for a Seamless Cloud Migration – we discussed how to choose a data integration platform that not only offers superior cloud migration capabilities, but also one that is built for the weeks, months, and years after the project is finished.

Teams must treat a data integration platform as a long-term investment, and consider all angles when making a decision. In this excerpt from our eBook, we highlight how teams can define what they need out of a data integration platform over time, along with the expert sources they can use to vet each offering.

Consider What the Future Holds

A cloud data migration is the task in front of you. But what about the projects you’ll tackle several years down the road? If you want to lay the groundwork for long-term success, you need a data integration solution that can perform beyond a single project. Ideally, you will enter a long-term technology partnership, one that grows over time.

When it comes to long-term strategy, input from other departments is key. The challenges your solutions will have to tackle depend on the trajectory of the company. Consult the CTO, CIO, BI directors, the CEO, or any other stakeholder to learn what’s on the horizon for the business. Then ask yourself some forward-looking questions, such as:

• What business challenges will our company face in the future?
• How will our data operation have to respond to these challenges?
• What solution allows us to meet these challenges while still staying nimble?
• Does the business plan to scale?
• What is the projected increase in headcount?
• Are offices opening in different geographic locations?
• What databases will these new offices use?
• How will our roles change in the future?
• What solution can best position us for the team’s future responsibilities?

These types of questions can help you articulate some of the key challenges and opportunities on the horizon. This way, you can identify the solutions that will provide consistent value to your team.

Consult the Experts

There are plenty of shiny objects in the cloud marketplace. New players enter the space all the time, while industry leaders saturate every channel with sleek marketing. But before you decide to adopt a solution, find out if the hype is real. Consult unbiased experts who frequently use the product.

There are many online resources that provide unfiltered viewpoints from verified product users, for everything from cloud data warehouses, to data integration platforms. Some of the top resources include:

• TrustRadius – Reviewers on TrustRadius represent a wide range of backgrounds and experience. Read confirmed reviews from end-users, implementers, consultants, business stakeholders, and decision-makers from companies of all sizes.
• G2 – With over 1 million reviews from confirmed product users, G2 offers an unfiltered view into leading technology solutions. Harness comparison matrices to assess competing services side-by-side.
• Capterra – Capterra features validated user reviews and independent research across hundreds of software categories, with in-depth examinations of features and pricing. Over 3 million buyers use Capterra every month for software advice.
• SoftwareReviews – Software Reviews aggregates high-level user sentiment towards the client-vendor relationship and product effectiveness with a novel Emotional Footprint score. This feature offers a unique window into how professionals actually feel about certain solutions.
• IT Central Station – At IT Central Station, users can either post anonymously to freely express their views, or use their real names to promote their expertise. The option of anonymity encourages frankness in the reviews.

Of course, these reviews should act as one of many factors in your decision making process. But it never hurts to hear what real product users have to say about the solutions you’re considering.

Data Integration Platform: Make A Smart Investment

Data integration platforms are a long-term investment, and teams should treat them as such. When choosing a platform for a cloud migration, teams should also identify the capabilities that are needed beyond that specific project.

And consult expert opinion to vet each option thoroughly. After all, the time to ask hard questions is before a platform becomes a piece of critical infrastructure.