End-to-end data connection beyond SAP

In addition to frameworks such as the SAP Business Technology Platform and hyperscaler cloud platforms, global data traffic also needs its own rules. Fivetran has set up a network for data exchange between heterogeneous applications.

In an interview with Alexander ZschalerRegional Vice President DACH, Central and Eastern Europe, Fivetran.

E3 Magazine: Put simply, Fivetran appears to be a data platform: what is the greater technical challenge, the interfaces to the external data sources or the pipelines between the data sources?

Alexander Zschaler, Fivetran: Both points require technical expertise. However, the biggest challenges that Fivetran solves lie in the variety of external data sources and their interfaces, as well as in the continuous maintenance of functioning data pipelines.

E3 Magazine: The challenge with data pipelines?

Zschaler: Changes to source data or APIs can affect the pipelines, which jeopardizes the data flow and therefore the timeliness of the data. Fivetran solves this problem with a fully automated offering. Our solution achieves a scalability that allows us to manage the diversity and complexity of external data sources in a better, simpler, faster and more structured way. As a result, our customers have access to the latest data at all times, which is essential for modern companies.

E3 Magazine: Where is the added value for users, in the interface technology or in the transportation of data from a source to a sink?

Zschaler: The added value for users does not lie exclusively in the interface technology or in the transport of data from a source to the sink - it is not an either-or decision. The decisive advantage for the user is to always have up-to-date data in the sink without active intervention. Data from various sources is often synchronized to a central destination so that data-driven decisions can be made on the basis of all the data. This central data storage enables a comprehensive overview and creates the basis for well-founded decisions, regardless of the complexity of the interface technology or the transport system.

E3: In the generic IT stack, where is Fivetran? Is it middleware or an application?

Zschaler: Fivetran could initially be described as middleware, as it enables the smooth exchange of data between different applications and systems; "data mesh-like" would also fit well. But that would not do full justice to our platform. In fact, Fivetran is a central and indispensable component of the Modern Data Stack. Without Fivetran, the essential foundation for efficient data integration and analysis in complex corporate environments is missing.

E3: Many IT platforms have emerged in recent years, such as the SAP Hana database platform or SAP BTP, Business Technology Platform: Where is Fivetran located?

Zschaler: Fivetran is the link between different data sources, platforms and warehouses and ensures reliable data integration and consistent data quality. The usual approach is to replicate the data with a direct connection to the SAP Hana and BTP sources in the Modern Data Stack. This enables optimal use of Hana and BTP data.

E3: Can you name a use case where the added value of Fivetran is evident?

Zschaler: The central use case is time savings for data teams. Many of our customers, such as Douglas, report that they save 30 percent or more time when setting up and maintaining data pipelines. This allows the data engineering teams to concentrate on more demanding and value-adding tasks.

E3: Another example?

Zschaler: The German company Unicorn Sennder - a digital freight forwarder - saves around 100,000 euros a year with Five-tran. Here, too, the engineering team can focus more on data modeling and analysis instead of investing time in maintaining pipe lines. In addition, global companies such as Hermes, Lufthansa, Merck, Siemens and VW Financial Services use our platform because of the clear added value it offers.

E3: What would be a convincing Fivetran argument for an ECC or S/4 user?

Zschaler: Fivetran ensures efficient and reliable transfer of data changes in SAP systems by replicating only the updated data. This procedure reduces costs, accelerates and is particularly important for SAP systems with high transaction volumes in order to always have the latest data available at the target location.

E3: Is this possible without SAP modifications?

Zschaler: Fivetran has minimal impact on large SAP source systems as it uses database logic to identify changes through Change Data Capture (CDC) without the need for SAP customization. As the leader in CDC technology in SAP, Five-tran enables customers to reliably replicate data from Hana, S/4 and ECC, supporting the most common targets in modern data stack destinations and legacy databases. Demanding users of ECC or S/4 benefit from cost-effective data integration, centralized consolidation of data in near real-time across globally distributed SAP systems, multi-cloud support and the ability to replicate Hana with a complete SaaS solution.

E3: From Fivetran's point of view, what are the three main unique selling points?

Zschaler: The three key points here are automation, reliability and scalability. Fivetran automates the entire data integration process, relieves data teams and enables fast results without loss of quality. The automated processing of schema changes, data transformation and the built-in administration and security functions ensure seamless processes.

E3: And the reliability?

Zschaler: In terms of reliability, Fivetran can boast an uptime of 99.9 percent over one million daily synchronizations and pipelines. The highest compliance and security standards also ensure that sensitive data is handled securely. And finally, scaling data volumes is easy with Fivetran. Over 500 code-free connectors, fast setup of new connectors in just five minutes, real-time CDC data movement with low impact on source systems and full extensibility flexibly adapt to all our customers' requirements.

E3: SAP is increasingly using open source. Couldn't the entire Fivetran technology also be replaced by open source tools?

Zschaler: It is true that SAP is increasingly relying on open source. Fivetran also supports open source applications, such as the open source solution from dbt. However, the Fivetran product itself is by no means easily replaced by open source tools. Although there are corresponding tools for data integration, they do not come close to the level of Fivetran. Fivetran is, if you like, a managed service and is supported around the clock by over 300 data engineers. This is the only way to guarantee the impressive uptime of 99.9 percent with a service level agreement. A comparable service or support would simply be inconceivable with open source.

E3: What else speaks for Fivetran?

Zschaler: In addition to up-time, there are other decisive factors, such as the aforementioned way in which data is extracted with minimal impact on the source and made available in analytical schemas. Of course, you also need to keep an eye on data protection. Data that is moved is particularly susceptible to attacks and requires appropriate protection. Here too, open source is usually far removed from the standards required by companies, especially in Germany. With Fivetran, however, they are on the safe side, knowing that their data is protected from source to destination. This is ensured by secure login and detailed, recorded logging as well as user authorizations. The data is encrypted during transmission and at rest and is deleted as soon as it has been successfully written to the destination. Sensitive data is blocked or hashed using column masking before it reaches the destination. And we place great importance on our data protection, security and compliance program, which includes SOC 1 and 2 auditing procedures, HIPAA BAA, HITRUST, ISO 27001 and, of course, all EU and US laws including GDPR and CCPA. 

E3: Thank you for the interview.

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