What is Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) Software?
Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) Software enables the use of one tool to pull data out of one database to place it into another.
Extract is the process of reading data from a database.
Transform is the means by which data is cleansed and converted into an structure or format appropriate for future querying and analysis.
Load describes the process of placing the data into the final database or data warehouse.
An ETL system helps ensure that:
- data meets necessary quality and consistency guidelines
- is converted into a format such that different sources of data can be used, stored, cleansed, structured, and analyzed together
- data is shown and delivered in a way so that the relevant stakeholders can use it for future reference and to make informed business decisions