Extract, Load, Transform (ELT)

Extract, Load, Transform (ELT) is a data integration process for transferring raw data from a source
server to a data warehouse on a target server and then preparing the information for downstream uses.
ELT is a variation of the Extract, Transform, Load (ETL), a data integration process in which
transformation takes place on an intermediate server before it is loaded into the target. In contrast, ELT
allows raw data to be loaded directly into the target and transformed there. This capability is most
useful for processing the large data sets required for business intelligence (BI) and big data analytics.
One of the main attractions of ELT is its reduction in load times relative to the ETL model. Taking
advantage of the processing capability built into a data warehousing infrastructure reduces the time
that data spends in transit and is more cost-effective.

ETL vs. ELT for data warehousing

With data warehouse technologies becoming more efficient, CIOs should consider extract, load and
transform a viable alternative, according to this recent Info-Tech research report.
ETL tools: What you do and don't want
Choosing the right ETL tool can be a project. Read what our integration expert says to look for in ETL
tools, and what to avoid.
What should I look for in extract, transform and load (ETL) tools? What should I avoid?
Ahh. ETL tools. Can't you just do it all with COBOL? (Insert laugh track here.)
The ability to deal with multiple input data formats (such as flat files, SQL databases, SAS data sets, etc.)

Why shift from ETL to ELT?

The process of data warehousing is undergoing rapid transformation, giving rise to various new
terminologies, especially due to the shift from the traditional ETL to the new ELT. For someone new to
the process, these additional terminologies and abbreviations might seem overwhelming, some may
even ask, “Why does it matter if the L comes before the T?”

The answer lies in the infrastructure and the setup. Here is what the fuss is all about, the sequencing of
the words and more importantly, why you should be shifting from ETL to ELT.

Understanding Data Warehousing Processes

Data Warehouse or Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) is a system implemented for the purpose of
reporting and data analysis. They are central repositories of integrated data from disparate sources used
for generating reports.

The popular definition from Bill Inmon is, “It is a subject oriented, integrated, time variant and non-
volatile collection of data used for decision making process.”[1]

Subject oriented: A data warehouse can be used to analyze a particular subject area.
Integrated: A data warehouse integrates data from one or more disparate data sources.
Time variant: Historical data is stored in a data warehouse.
Nonvolatile: Once data is input in a data warehouse, it cannot be changed or altered.

ETL vs. ELT for data warehousing

With data warehouse technologies becoming more efficient, CIOs should consider extract, load and
transform a viable alternative, according to this recent Info-Tech research report.
ETL tools: What you do and don't want
Choosing the right ETL tool can be a project. Read what our integration expert says to look for in ETL
tools, and what to avoid.
What should I look for in extract, transform and load (ETL) tools? What should I avoid?
Ahh. ETL tools. Can't you just do it all with COBOL? (Insert laugh track here.)
The ability to deal with multiple input data formats (such as flat files, SQL databases, SAS data sets, etc.)

Why shift from ETL to ELT?

The process of data warehousing is undergoing rapid transformation, giving rise to various new
terminologies, especially due to the shift from the traditional ETL to the new ELT. For someone new to
the process, these additional terminologies and abbreviations might seem overwhelming, some may
even ask, “Why does it matter if the L comes before the T?”

The answer lies in the infrastructure and the setup. Here is what the fuss is all about, the sequencing of
the words and more importantly, why you should be shifting from ETL to ELT.

Understanding Data Warehousing Processes

Data Warehouse or Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) is a system implemented for the purpose of
reporting and data analysis. They are central repositories of integrated data from disparate sources used
for generating reports.

The popular definition from Bill Inmon is, “It is a subject oriented, integrated, time variant and non-
volatile collection of data used for decision making process.”[1]

Subject oriented: A data warehouse can be used to analyze a particular subject area.
Integrated: A data warehouse integrates data from one or more disparate data sources.
Time variant: Historical data is stored in a data warehouse.
Nonvolatile: Once data is input in a data warehouse, it cannot be changed or altered.
What is ETL?
ETL stands for extraction, transformation and loading, and is the process of extracting data from the
source system to the data warehouse. They are critical components for feeding a data warehouse, a
business intelligence system or a big data platform.