How to query and take data from
SaaS applications

Every SaaS app has databases that store information on their business, employees, suppliers, and all kinds of partners.  SaaS applications are the base that supports workflow, such as CRM for publicity and sales and workforce management for HR, and other business services.

Companies use a wide array of SaaS apps for everyday operations, but not all of them integrate the capabilities of the apps with other company apps they manage in private, hybrid, or public clouds. Some workflows between different apps require integration. An excellent way to do it is by using SaaS API’s. However, many companies are not taking advantage of these features. Let’s see how you can leverage SaaS data.

Leveraging SaaS data to fill business needs

First of all, why should you integrate your SaaS data with other data sources?

• Business analysts can use the data for reports, strategy-making, and dashboards.
• Data science teams can use it to run machine learning trials.
• Business teams can centralize the data to support the workflows we mentioned above and other applications.
• IT crews can use the data for backups or for moving the data to other platforms.

So, yes, it’s vital to leverage SaaS data, but that’s not simple. It’s a somewhat tiresome process of learning the APIs, examining the SaaS platform’s data model, creating data stores, writing the code so you can load the data, develop the logic for any changes, and define the cloud or data center for the app. Thus, developing an integration from zero is expensive and lengthy for IT teams, especially if the company has other priorities.

What other options do you have?

There are simpler ways to query and manage SaaS data that will allow you to experiment, discover, and prototype with ease and to fill operation or production needs.

One option is self-service BI and data visualization platforms. For example, Tableau can connect with many other platforms such as Google Analytics, LinkedIn Sales, and Marketo; Domo can connect with HubSpot, Instagram, Shopify, Workday, and others. If you don’t require a long process of integration, such platforms can help you query and analyze SaaS data sources for data blending, reports, and dashboards, which is a good start.

If you need to go the extra mile on reporting and dashboarding, database drivers such as OData and ODBC are a fantastic option. This method is the perfect choice for data crews that want to do ad hoc queries into SaaS databases before taking the info from the data into their analysis and for developers who need real-time querying of the data.

Last but not least, you can also go with lightweight ETL platforms that let you sync the data to a cloud database that your company sets up and uses. Yes, this process can be complicated and costly, but it’s a great choice if you want better control over the database platform and data architecture. This option also helps you to store the data independently from the SaaS database, which gives you more flexibility to use the data as you wish.

Conclusion

Leveraging SaaS app data may not be simple, but is rewarding. It will give you a better view of your data and more flexibility to use it. If your organization uses many SaaS data platforms, integration is a must. There are many options depending on the data you use, your budget, and your goals. Reviewing the tools you have in hand and considering and using different options is the best way to go, especially if you manage a complex data environment.