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Having worked with many clients, I have come to the realization that data integration is a critical component of modern businesses that rely on data-driven insights. The number of enterprise applications, multi-cloud hosted applications, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, and on-premises solutions is vast, and the complexity of integrating data from these data sources can be overwhelming.
What To Look For
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but some pointers that have been helpful in my customer conversations include understanding the requirements around data freshness, reporting use cases (current vs. historical), transformations (ELT, ETL), CDC capabilities, and existing investments to maximize the value. With some qualified discovery questions, we can narrow down the options to a few solutions and ultimately launch a pilot-to-production process with the selected solutions to ensure feasibility.
Available Options (Google Cloud)
Cloud Data Fusion
One of the key services offered by Google Cloud for data integration is Cloud Data Fusion. This fully managed, cloud-native data integration service enables customers to integrate data from a variety of sources, including databases, applications, and file systems. With Cloud Data Fusion SAP Plugin, customers can replicate and transform SAP application data into BigQuery and other Google services and benefit from built-in GUI-based data pipeline capabilities.
BigQuery Connector
The “SLT BQ Connector” (BQC) is a lightweight ABAP-based solution from Google Cloud for replicating SAP data from SAP ERP and SAP S/4 solutions into Google BigQuery. BigQuery connector also enables change data capture (CDC) capabilities to help replicate real-time changes from SAP systems to BigQuery. This allows companies to integrate SAP data with BigQuery and deploy Cortex Framework for advanced analytics.
The SLT BQ Connector is a part of the broader “SAP on Google Cloud” portfolio of solutions, which is designed to help enterprises run like true data-driven enterprises. Google Cloud also offers partner solutions to meet where customers are in their journey and help maximize their existing investments.
Available Partner Solutions Offerings
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Aecorsoft Data Integrator
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Palantir Foundry
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Qlik Replicate
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Informatica IICS
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HVR/Five Tran
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SNP Glue
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SAP Data Intelligence
Related Solutions
Enterprises also have requirements extending the data integration solutions and like to leverage other Google Cloud services.
Cloud Pub/Sub:
This messaging service enables customers to easily and reliably exchange messages between different applications and services, allowing them to decouple the components of their systems and enable asynchronous communication.
Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage is a managed service for storing unstructured data. Store any amount of data and retrieve it as often as you like.
BigQuery
BigQuery is a fully managed, serverless data warehouse that enterprises use to analyze large volumes of data in real-time.
Conclusion
Data integration for SAP applications is a complex topic; however, with a brief understanding of your data sources, desired to-be state, and business goals. Google Cloud can provide solutions that meet your specific needs.
Some of the benefits of using Google Cloud for data integration include:
- Scalability: Google Cloud services can scale to meet ever-growing data needs.
- Innovation: Replicating both SAP and non-SAP data to GCP services like BigQuery and utilizing the capabilities of Vertex and GenAI, your organization can discover fresh opportunities for innovation that were previously unexplored.
- Cost-effectiveness: Google Cloud is a cost-effective platform with various pricing options.
- Cortex Framework: We are seeing a huge interest in deploying Cortex Framework as a next step to accelerate business insights and outcomes.
Google Cloud is a top choice for customers seeking data-driven insights, and data integration is a first step in the journey. Massive scalability, reliability, security, and AI-rich features make Google Cloud an ideal platform to accomplish your business goals and objectives and pave the way for an innovation-driven expedition.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions and viewpoints are solely mine in this article and do not reflect my employer’s official position or views. This article should not be considered an official endorsement or statement from my employer.
Data integration Cloud
Opinions expressed by MaximusDevs contributors are their own.
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