What is Database Integration

Database integration refers to the process of combining data from multiple databases or data sources into a unified view. This integration allows users and applications to access and manipulate data as if it were all stored in a single location, even though it may be distributed across different systems, formats, or locations.

There are several approaches to database integration, including:

1. Data Warehousing: This involves extracting data from multiple sources, transforming it into a consistent format, and loading it into a central repository called a data warehouse. This allows for efficient querying and analysis of the integrated data.
2. Data Federation: Also known as virtual database integration, data federation involves creating a virtual layer that sits on top of disparate data sources and provides a unified interface for querying and accessing the data. This approach avoids the need to physically move or replicate data.
3. Data Replication: In this approach, data from multiple sources is periodically copied or replicated into a centralized database. While this can simplify access to the data, it also requires careful synchronization to ensure that the replicated data remains consistent with the original sources.
4. Enterprise Information Integration (EII): EII platforms provide tools and technologies for integrating data from various sources in real-time or near real-time. This approach often involves the use of middleware to connect to different data sources and present them as a unified information space.

Database integration is essential for organizations that need to access and analyze data from multiple sources to gain insights, make informed decisions, and support business operations. It helps eliminate data silos, improve data quality and consistency, and enable more comprehensive reporting and analysis.