What is Live Data Connection

Today’s data moves faster than ever. Even daily batch updates, in time-sensitive cases, often become too stale to use reliably. Coupled with being scattered across multiple systems, turning data at small to medium enterprises into fresh and reliable insights can be a huge challenge. Especially if you’re not a data engineer, managing data pipelines and moving data around can be a headache, and expensive. Instead, consider creating live data connections to access data where you need.

The data dilemma: Other integration methods for different use cases

Data fuels decision-making. However, traditional data integration methods can leave businesses working with outdated or incomplete information. These methods are powerful integration tools in the hands of experienced data engineers but aren’t best suited for non-technical business users who need to move quickly:

• ETL (extract, transform, load) is robust for batch processing, but can lead to data latency and requires maintaining complex data pipelines.
• ELT (extract, load, transform) is more flexible than ETL, but still involves data movement and a data warehouse.
• Data virtualization creates a virtual layer for data access, but may not offer true real-time capabilities, and is better suited when many users across an organization need to access and manage data themselves, at-scale.

If these other data integration methods are the right choice for your use case, your data team will usually already know. ETL/ELT require advanced data transformations and will involve centralized data stores like data warehouses. For that, check out CData Sync, our ETL data pipeline platform. For data virtualization, data will be more complex and require advanced metadata tracking and management in one platform to govern how a larger number of users are accessing and creating datasets. See CData Virtuality for an enterprise data virtualization solution.

However, for those looking for real-time data with straightforward self-service connection building, using live data connections is a good fit to rapidly gain return on investment (ROI) in the tools you already use today.

What is live data connection?

Live data connection is a modern integration method that enables real-time access to data from multiple sources without data movement or replication. It creates a live link between your data sources and the applications where you need that data, ensuring you always work with the most current information.

Here's a simplified technical explanation: Live data connection platforms use application programming interfaces (APIs) and specialized drivers to establish direct, secure connections to various data sources. When a query is made, it's translated in real-time to the native query language of the data source, executed, and the results are returned instantly.

Key benefits of data connection for business users include:

• Real-time data access: Make decisions based on up-to-the-minute information.
• Simplified infrastructure: Eliminate the need for data warehouses or complex pipelines.
• Reduced data latency: Say goodbye to delays from batch processing or replication.
• Improved data governance: Manage data access directly from the source, ensuring consistency and compliance.
• Lowered data costs: Minimize storage and processing costs associated with data replication.

CData Connect Cloud: Pioneering live data connections for data-driven enterprises

While live data connection offers clear advantages for the right business teams and use cases, implementing it effectively requires the right tools. Connect Cloud offers live connectivity to enable business users to build and manage all the live data connections they need.

What makes CData Connect Cloud unique?

• Unparalleled connectivity: Connect to over 300 data sources, from traditional databases to modern SaaS (Software as a Service) applications.
• User-friendly interface: Empower business users to create custom connections without deep technical expertise by working in a no/low-code environment that is clear and straightforward.
• Enterprise-grade security: Ensure data protection with advanced encryption and access controls.
• Scalability: Support high data volumes and multiple users without performance degradation.
• Seamless integration: Works with your favorite BI (business intelligence) and analytics tools out of the box.

Overcoming data connection challenges

While live data connection offers numerous benefits, it's important to address potential challenges:

• Network dependency: Real-time connections require stable networks. Connect Cloud offers robust connection management to handle intermittent connectivity issues.
• Performance concerns: Some worry about the performance load of real-time queries. CData Drivers ensure efficient query execution, often outperforming traditional batch processes.
• Data source limitations: Not all data sources support real-time access. CData Connect Cloud provides innovative solutions, like intelligent caching, to work around these limitations.

Industry-specific applications

Data connection is transforming operations across industries:

• Healthcare: Access patient data in real-time for improved care coordination.
• Finance: Make investment decisions based on up-to-the-second market data.
• Manufacturing: Optimize supply chains with real-time inventory and logistics data.
• Retail: Personalize customer experiences using instant access to purchase history and preferences.

Build every real-time data connection you need

Businesses make decisions at the speed of data. Can you afford to rely on yesterday's information? CData Connect Cloud empowers you to make decisions based on the most current data available, giving you a competitive edge in your industry.

Ready to try building live data connections yourself? Sign up for a free trial of CData Connect Cloud today.