How to streamline your data ingestion process from multiple data feeds

Data ingestion can be a complex, laborious process that can take up valuable time and resource, and lead to a bottleneck in your workflows.

You might agree that your data ingestion process needs streamlining. But it’s hard knowing how to do it effectively and efficiently. We’re here to help.

This blog explores how companies can improve data ingestion while still taking account of real-world factors like dealing with multiple different data sources and formats.

The problem of complex data ingestion

Most companies use data from multiple data feeds. And to make that data actionable, they need to convert data from every feed into a consistent format. This isn’t easy.

• It consumes time. Engineers and developers might be writing custom code to handle each data source, and manual interventions in steps such as data mapping can slow down the process.
• No consistent process. Different parts of the company come up with solutions, meaning different tools and siloed information.
• Lack of transparency. Troubleshooting code while in production can result in a loss of oversight, making subsequent issues more difficult to fix.
• Varied data formats. Some data requires significant cleansing, and all data must be transformed for usability.

Your business might be getting the job done when it comes to data ingestion. But the vital questions are whether it’s done in the most cost-effective and scalable way. And if not, what is that costing your business?

With those questions in mind, it may be time to turn to a robust platform that supports automatic data transformation.

The benefits of streamlined data ingestion

Our clients at marketing effectiveness consultancy Gain Theory turn enormous volumes of marketing data into actionable insights for their clients. When we chatted with their Transformation Practice Lead, he confirmed that scalability and efficiency had been on his mind when he came to CloverDX.

‘I knew there was a more elegant way to organize all of this – an opportunity to do better.’

- Brian Suh, Transformation Practice Lead, Gain Theory

Importing multiple and varied data sources and making them ready for analysis doesn't have to be an inconsistent, hard-to-scale process.

Adopting a single platform, like CloverDX, to centralize and standardize your ingestion process means you can ensure the following:

Consistent processes. You shouldn't need a custom job for each incoming data set. Instead, program custom workflows once and then reuse them. It creates consistency in how data is received, transformed, and delivered. And it enables this without excessive time and resources.

A centralized approach. Using a single platform for data ingestion brings key processes together under a single roof. From development and operations to troubleshooting and monitoring, CloverDX ensures tools are on-hand to support proper implementation and prevent vital steps from being neglected.

Improved collaboration. With consistency and shared language, Gain Theory found reaching out to other teams for a template became a reasonable ask. Another team can adapt an existing workflow rather than starting from scratch. This allows project teams and departments to work together effectively. And with features such as CloverDX Wrangler - an intuitive interface designed for non-technical users to work with data - everyone can work where they are comfortable while working on the same underlying data.

Scalable data ingestion. Growth, the goal of every business, can create further data ingestion strain. But CloverDX handles added applications, data sources, or clients at speed. According to Gain Theory, CloverDX offers breadth to cover thousands of data sources and depth to build complex workflows.

Features like the interface, data integration, automated pipelines, and scalability streamline data ingestion. CloverDX makes consolidating data from multiple feeds far simpler.

A better way to do data ingestion

In many companies, data scientists’ workloads are 80% data preparation. And most of those highly skilled workers consider this the least enjoyable part of their job.

Using a data integration platform like CloverDX to support the data ingestion process saves time. It takes the complexity out of the process for your people, freeing them up for more engaging, valuable tasks.

CloverDX enables your company to standardize the data ingestion process. And the result is a streamlined, far more consistent way to work with multiple data sources. The interface is readable and easier to understand, which enables less technical business users to work with data. It can break down silos and free up resources.

Curious about what a streamlined data ingestion process could do in your business? Contact us now for a demo.