How Reverse ETL Can Improve the Modern Data Stack

Data is very important in this day in age. In fact, it is a crucial part of any business’s success.

When it comes to all things data, the reverse ETL is one thing to really be mindful of. ETL stands for extract, transform and load. It is a newer data integration paradigm that is letting businesses have true data transformations.

In fact, the reverse ETL is now pretty much an essential component of any standard data management practice. This is because it actually allows for data teams to have an enhanced process and modern data stack.

Reverse ETL uses cloud data warehouses provided by the likes of snowflake and Google as ETL sources. The end goal means that the data can efficiently and reliably be used for business making decisions that are driven by a trustworthy and complete modern data stack.

So how exactly is reverse ETL so effective? We unveil all there is to know about this revolutionary way of sourcing and storing data.

1. Connects Quality Data and Automates Syncing

Big organizations use a ton of data on a daily basis. In fact, in 2021 a study showed that the average organization used 110 tools on average alone to try to keep up with all the data. This was a huge jump from the 80 tools companies were using only a few years prior.

This stat alone is the perfect representation of why ETL is so important. Not only can it provide high-quality data through connectors and plugins, but allows for incredibly speedy data transfers. When reverse ETL is used, it can literally improve everything—from the data in the likes of HubSpot or MailChimp to the ability to manage large data sets.

But what it does is an even better job at preventing data silos in an organization. The way reverse ETL operates means that literally, any team can access the data sets and analytics needed rather than it getting funneled through one team.

We aren’t stopping there though. Reverse ETL can also support data connectors in automatically syncing data from any data warehouse and giving a complete synopsis of the data. A great example of this is how a marketing team can get real-time updates on how an ad campaign is performing, using that information to adapt their longer-term strategies and ultimately ensuring the ROI of the campaign is maximized.

2. Enhances Data Security and Compliance

Another great benefit to reverse ETL improving the modern data stack is the fact that it can enhance security and compliance with the rules. Having data secured is paramount to any business. Data impacts everyone—stakeholders, customers, and third-parties.

Reverse ETL is able to make data just about as secure as possible, even while allowing for great access to the data sets. This is because reverse ETL has strong security measures in place to ensure that nothing can get breached at any point.

It is able to achieve this by following both regular standards set in place and data encryption. Ultimately, it is the data engineers who manage the reverse ETL security and they will be able to monitor for any abnormalities.

3. Prevents Data Loss

One of the worst things that can happen to an organization is losing valuable data. After a ton of hard work in creating and collecting data, it is heartwrenching to lose some of it. But reverse ETL provides a fault tolerance, which is one of its most critical components.

Errors are going to be made, especially when there are literally billions of rows of data to deal with. Reverse ETL makes it easier to deal with errors and ensures that minimal damage results from it. Even more, it is able to proactively catch and fix any errors that are occurring in the data stacks.

4. Observing and Auditing Data

Another way reverse ETL makes the modern data stack so great is the fact that it is able to observe and audit the stacks. This is a very important component in ensuring there is minimal disruption or errors during the integration process. Reverse ETL observes five principles to ensure this, which include freshness of data, the distribution of data, the volume of data, the schema of data, and the lineage of data.

Together, all these principles help completely transform modern data stacks and ensure that companies can get to maximize their full potential.

5. Makes Data Scalable

Another incredible way reverse ETL is bettering the modern data stack is the way it can make data engineering scalable. This means that as the increase of data comes into a company, it can still keep up. In fact, it can do so nearly automatically.

There are many ways reverse ETL is improving the modern data stack. With so much to gain, why not enjoy the very best it has to offer?

sources:

https://hightouch.com/data-features

https://www.integrate.io/blog/reverse-etl-best-practices/