We've had inklings from various ETL companies that there is more to data integration than just constructing data warehouses or data marts. First came the inclusion of data quality processes to clean up the integrated data. Why? To improve the reliability and consistency of the integrated data. It became more suitable for all sorts of new reporting and analytical needs.

Then we read and heard about the various ETL companies partnering or buying or somehow integrating EII (enterprise information integration) technologies into the traditional ETL packages. Why? Well, to create virtual data integration environments, making operational BI and real-time BI feasible.

And now the latest are full blown integration centers of competency or excellence -- for the entire enterprise with data integration as the keystone. These centers are being used not just to create BI applications but have expanded to take on master data management environments and to even handle the integration of operational systems together. Seems the same skill sets and many of the technologies used to create a data warehouse are exactly the skills and technologies needed to support MDM or operational interfaces.

Yes, ETL has grown up and so has data integration. Those of you who grew up in the BI space, start spreading your wings. You will find that you are desperately needed in almost every aspect of your organization. Start promoting the idea of coordinating all the data integration initiatives in your enterprise. You will find a ready and hungry audience. Bring the disciplines that you learned in building your BI environment with you into these new areas. They will be greatly appreciated, I guarantee it!

Yours in BI and all other forms of data integration success.

Claudia

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