How your business can leverage Appstore data connectors

The need for data connectors in BI is a no-brainer. With so much data available today, it would be impossible to manually import data from every system used in business. Luckily, there are pre-built connectors that make the process much easier.

With so many potential connectors available, it can be difficult to know which ones to use. Fortunately, with a bit of knowledge about how connectors work, it’s easy to figure out which ones will work best for you.

How can your business benefit from using connectors? How can you be sure that the connectors you’re using are the right ones for your needs? Let’s take a look.

Why data matters in BI

In order to answer these questions, we first need to understand why data is so important in BI. Simply put, data is the foundation of all decision-making. The better you understand your data, the better decisions you’ll be able to make.

Business intelligence is built on the power of data. By using BI tools, you can gain insights into your data that would be impossible to see without them. But data tools are only as good as the data they’re working with.

This is where connectors come in. Connectors allow you to import data from business systems/software that you are already using to run your business. This greatly reduces the time and effort needed to get your data into BI for analysis.

What is a data connector?

A data connector is a pre-built software application that allows you to import data from business systems/software into BI. Connectors come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have the same basic goal – to get your data into BI for analysis.

There are many different types of connectors available, but they can be broadly categorized into two types: on-premise connectors and cloud connectors.

On-premises connectors

On-premises connectors are software applications that you install on your own server. They allow you to import data from business systems/software that you are already using to run your business.

One of the benefits of on-premises connectors is that they are generally very customizable. This means that you can tailor them to fit your specific needs.

Another advantage of on-premises connectors is that they are typically very reliable. This is because they are installed on your own server, which gives you more control over them.

The downside of on-premises connectors is that they require a certain level of technical expertise to set up and use. If you don’t have the necessary skills, you will need to hire someone who does.

Cloud connectors

Cloud connectors are software applications that you access online. They allow you to import data from business systems/software that you are already using to run your business.

One of the benefits of cloud connectors is that they are typically very easy to use. This means that you don’t need any technical expertise to set them up and use them.
Another advantage of cloud connectors is that they are generally very reliable. This is because they are hosted online, which gives them more stability than on-premise connectors.

The downside of cloud connectors is that they are typically less customizable than on-premise connectors. This means that you may not be able to tailor them to fit your specific needs.

Why BI Appstore connectors matter

Now that we know what connectors are and why they matter, let’s take a look at some of the different connectors available in BI Appstores.

One of the best ways to get started with connectors is to use the pre-built connectors that are available in BI Appstores. These connectors allow you to import data from business systems/software that you are already using to run your business.

BI Appstores can contain over hundreds of pre-built data connectors. These connectors allow you to import data from business systems/software that you are already using to run your business. This greatly reduces the time and effort needed to get your data into BI for analysis.

There are plenty of benefits to using pre-built connectors. Here are a few of the most important ones:

They save you time and effort

Importing data from business systems/software can be a time-consuming process. But with pre-built connectors, this process is greatly simplified.

They are reliable and customizable

Pre-built connectors are typically very reliable and customizable. This means that you can tailor them to fit your specific needs.

They are easy to use

Pre-built connectors are typically very easy to use. This means that you don’t need any technical expertise to set them up and use them.

How to use BI Appstore connectors

With access to many pre-built data connectors, BI Appstores are a great place to start when looking for connectors to import data from business systems/software. But how do you actually use these connectors?

Here are a few simple steps to get started:

1. Choose the connector that is right for you

Choosing the right BI data connector starts with understanding how the connector works and what it is used for. As you view the Appstore, consider the different connectors and how they can be used in your business.

There are several characteristics to look for when choosing a connector:

The type of data that the connector imports: The connector should import the type of data that you need.

The source of the data: The connector should import data from the source that you need.

The destination of the data: The connector should export data to the destination that you need.

2. Set up the connector

Once you have chosen a connector, you will need to set it up. This usually involves entering the login information for the business system/software that you are importing data from.

In order to connect to a business system/software, the connector will need access to it. This usually means that you will need to provide login information for the system, such as a username and password.

3. Import your data

Now that the connector is set up, you can import your data. This process usually involves selecting the data that you want to import and then clicking a button to import it.

Importing data can be a quick and easy process if you use a connector that is pre-built for your business system/software.

An important element to consider is the data you are currently working with. You likely have a well-defined process for getting data into your business system/software. Can you use this process to also get data into BI? If not, connectors can be a great solution.

 

 

Practical examples of using connectors in BI

Now that we understand what connectors are and why they matter, let’s take a look at some practical examples of how connectors can be used in business.

1. Importing customer data from your CRM into BI

One common use of connectors is to import customer data from your CRM into BI. This can be a great way to get a 360-degree view of your customers and understand their behavior.
There are many different connectors that can be used for this purpose. Some popular connectors include:

Salesforce connector: This connector imports data from the Salesforce CRM.

Microsoft Dynamics connector: This connector imports data from the Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Oracle connector: This connector imports data from the Oracle CRM.

2. Importing sales data from your ERP into BI

Another common use of connectors is to import sales data from your ERP into BI. This can be a great way to understand your sales performance and trends.

There are many different connectors that can be used for this purpose. Some popular connectors include:

SAP connector: This connector imports data from the SAP ERP.

Oracle connector: This connector imports data from the Oracle ERP.

3. Importing product data from your eCommerce platform into BI

Another common use of connectors is to import product data from your eCommerce platform into BI. This can be a great way to understand your product performance and trends.
There are many different connectors that can be used for this purpose. Some popular connectors include:

Shopify connector: This connector imports data from the Shopify eCommerce platform.

Magento connector: This connector imports data from the Magento eCommerce platform.

eBay connector: This connector imports data from the eBay eCommerce platform.

4. Importing time-series data into BI

Some connectors are specifically designed to import time-series data into BI. Time-series data is data that is collected at regular intervals over time. This type of data can be used to track trends and understand how your business is performing over time.
There are many different connectors that can be used for this purpose. Some popular connectors include:

Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) connector: This connector imports time-series data from an Amazon S3 bucket.

Google Cloud Storage connector: This connector imports time-series data from a Google Cloud Storage bucket.

 

The bottom line

AppStore connectors are an essential part of BI. They allow you to import data from business systems/software that you are already using to run your business. This greatly reduces the time and effort needed to get your data into BI for analysis.

There are many different connectors that are available, and each one is designed to import data from a specific business system/software. So, be sure to choose the connector that is right for you.

When using connectors, keep the following in mind:

• Choose the right connector for your needs.
• Make sure your data is in the correct format.
• Follow the instructions provided by the connector vendor.

As you can see, connectors are a powerful tool that can be used for a variety of purposes. So, don’t hesitate to use them in your BI projects—and watch as your data comes to life.