ETL Tools

Another common method of migrating data is to purchase ETL software. This is software which eliminates the need to develop bespoke programs. After suitable analysis of your data and careful configuration ETL tools can perform a data migration.

ETL tools offer a number of benefits over the in-house development approach. They avoid the need to hand code any software, and significantly reduce testing times.

However, ETL tools are expensive to buy, difficult to use and likely to incur unforeseen support costs. Selection of ETL software can be time-consuming and therefore expensive. It's usually necessary for staff to attend training courses before they can use the software and there may be a lengthy learning curve before any productivity gains are made.

Although ETL tools can reduce the cost of migrating data by eliminating the need for development programmers there remains a need for at least one data analyst who will need to be trained to use the ETL software, as well as project management and testing personnel.

There remains the risk of the inexperienced data migration team falling prey to common and avoidable problems. Although these are often quicker and cheaper to circumvent using ETL software there remains a risk of project overrun, leaving data migration as the stumbling block in your critical path.

These drawbacks can be avoided by using Instasap Products eg BW*natural extract. We have experienced consultants and provide free ETL software tools.