Every business runs on data. From customer records and invoices to inventory levels and financial reports, all this data is constantly being created across your systems. The biggest struggle comes from getting that data from where it’s created to where it can be used. That’s why data pipelines are so important.

What is a Data Pipeline?

A data pipeline is an automated process that moves data from one place to another. Data pipelines collect the data from a source, transform it, and then deliver it to the place it’s needed, often a data lake or other application. Think of it as a dedicated channel that keeps data flowing between your systems without someone manually exporting spreadsheets or copying and pasting records.

Data Pipeline Functionality

There are different kinds of data pipelines depending on the functionality you need. At its core, a data pipeline’s process can be broken down into a few steps:

  1. Ingestion: Your data is pulled from a source (like your ERP system, third-party platform, or API) and placed into the pipeline.
  2. Transformation: That data is cleaned, reformatted, or enriched so you can actually use it. (Duplicates are fixed, formats are standardized, etc.)
  3. Storage: Your data is delivered to where it needs to go. This could be a SaaS platform, a data warehouse, or another application.

This functionality is what gets your ERP data into your reporting tools, CRM, external platforms, or wherever else your team needs it. Without proper data pipelines, your team may run into some challenges.

Data Pipeline Challenges for ERP Environments

ERP systems are built for depth and designed to be the source of truth for your business operations, but they don’t always transfer data to your other apps easily. This causes some noticeable challenges for your ERP team.

Data Silos

Your ERP, CRM, e-commerce platform, and warehouse system each hold their own important pieces of the puzzle. Without a data pipeline connecting them, teams end up working from incomplete or out-of-date information.

Difficult Transformations

Data rarely moves cleanly from one system to another. Field names differ, date formats don’t match, and one system uses custom IDs that the other doesn’t recognize. Every mismatch is an error or manual fix waiting to happen.

Manual Exports

Manual processes fill the gap left by inefficient data transfers. When systems don’t talk to each other automatically, people have to jump in and do it themselves. Someone exports it weekly while someone else reformats it before it goes to finance. Finally, a third person has to re-enter pieces of it into a different system. It works a little bit, but all this manual work can lead to inaccuracies caused by user error.

Scaling Troubles

With more data volume comes the need for more efficient pipelines. A data pipeline that ran fine when you had a lower number of transactions might not be able to keep up as your company grows. Month-end close, high-volume periods, or real-time reporting requirements all test whether your data infrastructure can keep up.

What a Well-Built Data Pipeline Looks Like

A reliable data pipeline for an ERP environment should be:

  • Automated: It runs on a schedule or is triggered by an event without someone needing to trigger it manually.
  • Repeatable: It produces consistent results you can trust.
  • Visible: When something goes wrong, you know about it instantly.

For most mid-market organizations, this means having a tool that sits between your ERP and the rest of your systems, helping you manage the flow without requiring a developer. This is exactly what the eOne iPaaS does.

eOne & Your Data Pipeline

With the eOne iPaaS, you can make sure your data pipeline continues to run smoothly, no matter what systems you connect to.

SmartConnect helps you automate your manual processes. With options like scheduled, event-based, and changes-only triggers, you can say goodbye to manual intervention. Drag-and-drop mapping makes it easy to manipulate data and bring it in from all your sources. Get the data you want, the way you want it, with SmartConnect’s data transformation capabilities, all without code.

Moving data is only half of it. Once it’s in the right place, your team still needs to be able to see it and act on it without waiting on an IT request. Popdock connects to your data sources and gives your team a way to query, filter, and view exactly what they need, embedded in the tools they already use.

Together, SmartConnect and Popdock cover the full pipeline. Data moves reliably between systems, and the right people can access it on demand.

The Cost of Getting it Wrong

If you’re working with disconnected data pipelines, you’re prone to late reports, one-off data requests, reconciliation headaches, and decisions made from stale data. Luckily, with the right tooling, you can streamline your data pipeline and make sure your data can connect to all your systems with ease.

What is a Data Pipeline Without the Right Tools?

Take advantage of tooling that actually understands your ERP environment and helps you automate and move your data seamlessly through your pipeline. Contact our team to get started today and streamline the communication between your apps.