How to Find an ELT Platform that Connects to Every Data Source

One of the core functions of a data integration platform is to combine data from disparate API sources, such as Facebook Ads, Netsuite, Salesforce, into a single solution.

In our latest eBook – The Ultimate ELT Buyer’s Guide – we lay out the features that enable an ELT platform to quickly connect to any data source API.

Read on for an excerpt from the eBook!

First Step: Strong Collection of Pre-Built Data Connectors

Many ELT solutions offer pre-built API connectors so that buyers can connect to data sources automatically. Pre-built data connectors offer several benefits, including:

• Plug-and-play functionality
• Immediate time-to-launch
• Automatic updates each time data source API changes
• No developers required
• Active support channels

Pre-built data connectors eliminate the need to build data connectors manually. With plug-and-play functionality, pre-built API connectors link to data sources immediately. The dev team can focus on more important projects, rather than pipeline construction. All API updates are automatic. Support channels are available.

But many times, an ELT platform will not offer a pre-built data connector for each data source a team needs. In this case, teams will have to use features or services that can address these coverage gaps, such as an API on-demand program or a custom API.

Second Step: Features that Address Coverage Gaps

How a solution handles data source “coverage gaps” is key.

Many ELT solutions allow customers to “request” new data connectors, but this does not mean they will be built. Buyers that want full API coverage must seek out features such as API on-demand programs and custom API capabilities.

With an API on-demand program:

• Customers choose a custom data source
• The ELT service builds the corresponding API connector
• The API connector is updated and maintained by the ELT service

On the other hand, with a custom API:

• The ELT service does not have to build a data connector
• Customers simply provide the details of the data source API
• Raw data from the data source API is ingested straight into a cloud data warehouse

ELT solutions that offer all three features – pre-built data connectors, API on-demand service, and a custom API – guarantee simple, seamless universal data source coverage. See our article on ETL vs ELT and:

Download the eBook for More!

Coverage of data sources is a very important consideration for teams who want a superior ELT platform. But this is just one facet of what teams should look for. There are many other critical capabilities, and we outline them all in our Ultimate ELT Buyer’s Guide.