Synchronization of Data Syncler-Glossar

Data Synchronization – What Is It?

Data synchronization, also known as data syncing, is a process where information is updated simultaneously at different locations. In our daily work, we are using more and more software applications, resulting in an increasing amount of data. All this data needs to communicate efficiently with each other through synchronization.

Synchronization ensures not only that data remains consistent but also includes data validation and cleansing.

Imagine you have two different systems with customer contact information, but each system uses a different data format. Dropdown lists, for example, have different values, and phone numbers are formatted differently. When you synchronize the data, the system adjusts it to match the format of the other system (data transformation). This means removing invalid characters, standardizing phone numbers and addresses, and ensuring all fields are correctly filled.

Types of Data Synchronization

There are two main types of data synchronization: unidirectional and bidirectional.

Unidirectional
Unidirectional data synchronization involves transferring information from one application to another. Information flows only in one direction, from the sending tool to the receiving tool, and not the other way around. For example, customer contact data moves from the CRM system to the customer service ticketing system.

Another example of unidirectional data synchronization is copying invoice data from the ERP system to a CRM software. Since invoice data is only copied for viewing in CRM and no information flows back from CRM software to the ERP software, the information flow is one-way.

Bidirectional
Bidirectional data synchronization updates data at both locations to ensure all information is identical. Changes can come from both sources. For instance, email addresses can be changed in both the CRM solution and the newsletter software.

Why Is Data Synchronization Important?

Data synchronization offers several advantages:

• Improved Efficiency:
  Information stays up to date everywhere, ensuring everyone is on the same page and minimizing errors and delays.
• Enhanced Security:
  Updating data in all systems improves collaboration and coordination between teams, increasing security.
• Data Backup:
  In case of outages or errors, synchronized data can be found in other tools, minimizing disruptions.

How to achieve Data Synchronization

Manually updating data is not feasible for most companies due to the volume of data. Moreover, manual data entry is error-prone.

Therefore, many companies develop custom interfaces between their applications or data sources. This requires significant development time and ongoing maintenance.

A simpler solution is integration platforms like Syncler, which offer pre-built interfaces for many applications. This streamlines business processes, reduces errors, and greatly facilitates data synchronization. These platforms provide an efficient solution for businesses.