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If you're a data warehouse or BI professional, the odds are that you've heard of CDC. But how much do you really know about this technology? How will it help your business? And why should you care about it at all? Read on to discover the answers to these questions and to develop your understanding of Change Data Capture.  

What is Change Data Capture?

Change Data Capture, also referred to as CDC, is a set of software processes that identify changes in source tables and databases. As a result, CDC is able to track and make changes to source tables and databases in real-time. Ultimately, CDC helps businesses work more efficiently with their existing data by allowing for faster data integration and analysis through fewer system resources.

The two main types of Change Data Capture are log-based CDC and Trigger-Based CDC. Learn more about these two types of CDC below. 

Log-Based CDC 

With log-based CDC, the change data capture looks at the databases' transaction logs. Through this process, the CDC solution reads all the files in the log to uncover any source system changes. After combing over all the files, the log-based CDC solution completes the data replication of these source changes to the target data store. 

Trigger-Based CDC

With trigger-based CDC, the change data capture utilizes database triggers. Throughout this process, the change data capture solution runs in response to another event. In this type of CDC solution, the overhead that stems from extracting changes is often less. However, overhead may be increased through the source systems requiring a certain amount of runtime to complete each task in the trigger-based CDC solution. 

Related Reading: How to Turn on Change Data Capture (CDC)

Why You Should Be Using Change Data Capture 

There are many benefits CDC can provide to businesses. The following are the top seven reasons why you should begin using Change Data Capture today.

1. Provides Real-time Data Loading Into a Data Warehouse and Connects Different Database Systems 

One significant benefit of CDC is that it allows companies to complete real-time data loading into a data warehouse. CDC also allows incompatible database systems in near real-time. These features make CDC especially beneficial for mid to large-sized organizations who work with multiple database systems when handling their data.  

2. Minimizes Disruptions to Production Workloads

Another benefit of CDC is that its efficiency helps to minimize disruptions to production workloads. Because CDC can push data to multiple lines of business in near real-time, organizations can utilize CDC to continuously update data marts with everything from sales to canceled orders to comprehensive customer data. Ultimately, minimizing disruptions to production workloads by processing data fast and efficiently is very beneficial to companies of all sizes. 

3. Helps to Improve a Company's Master Data Management System 

If a company is looking to get a better handle on or even significantly improve its master data management system, CDC can prove quite beneficial. Ultimately, CDC allows IT teams to quickly draw data from multiple sources while also continuously updating the organization's master data management system or master record of critical data. Of course, CDC's ability to keep an organization's critical data safe, secure, and up to date is greatly beneficial. 

4. Helps to Integrate Apps With Otherwise Incompatible Databases 

Another benefit CDC offers to organizations is its capabilities to integrate software tools that are generally incompatible with in-house database systems. Ultimately, this functionality allows organizations to be more flexible when it comes to choosing business applications and provides access to more app options overall. This also ensures that more time is spent finding apps that will help companies reach their business goals rather than spending countless hours worrying about database compatibility.

5. Accelerates Reporting and Business Intelligence Capabilities

One of the top benefits of CDC is that it accelerates reporting and business intelligence capabilities. Because CDC enables data to move quickly between different databases, faster collection of data is possible. Of course, this makes it possible for more timely reporting and significantly improved business intelligence capabilities.

6. Allows for the Integration of Apps with Otherwise Incompatible Databases

Another reason change data capture is beneficial is that it allows certain software tools to easily integrate with otherwise incompatible database systems. This also means that companies gain more flexibility when it comes to deciding which apps to use and deploy for the business.

7. Helps to Reduce Pressure on Operational Databases

Through the implementation of CDC, companies can create a copy of operational databases. Users can then access this copy which helps to reduce the overall stress on production systems as excess traffic can be sent to the secondary database instead.

 

Related Reading:When to Use Change Data Capture

How Integrate.io Can Help

If you're looking for the perfect tools for your ETL and CDC needs, Integrate.io can help. By working with Integrate.io, you gain access to the most effective CDC tools and a user-friendly ETL platform with over 200+ available data integrations.  

Are you ready to discover how the Integrate.io platform can provide solutions for your CDC needs? Contact our team today to schedule a 7-day demo or pilot and see how we can help you reach your goals.