Q: What are the different ways I can access my data from L2L for use outside of the platform?
A: L2L provides several options for accessing your data, including:
- API (Application Programming Interface): A transactional interface that allows you to request specific pieces of data.
- Data Files: A bulk data transfer option where all of your data is delivered at once in a standardized format.
- AWS Connection: A direct connection to your AWS database where you directly query data.
Q: I'm currently using the API to pull data from L2L into my data lake/BI tool. Why should I consider using Data Files instead?
A: While the API is a viable option, using it to essentially recreate a database (your data lake) is not a best practice due to several factors:
- Transactional vs. Bulk Data: APIs are best suited for transactional data retrieval. Data Files provide a more efficient solution for pulling large quantities of data.
- Potential Data Integrity Issues: APIs can be prone to missed requests or timeouts, especially when heavily used. This can lead to gaps and inconsistencies in the data.
- Maintenance and Complexity: Managing a data lake based on API calls requires continuous maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Data Completeness: The API does not give access to the full set of data within L2L.
Q: Are there problems with L2L's API and accessing data?
A: Not inherently. Our APIs serve their intended purpose well. The issue is not the quality of our APIs, but rather the suitability of using a transactional API to perform a task designed for a bulk data transfer solution. Pulling the data files via SFTP is the preferred method of moving large quantities of data around or the data can be accessed in place via an AWS connection.
Q: How do I know if Data Files are a better fit for me than the API?
A: Consider Data Files if:
- You are pulling a large amount of data from L2L on a regular basis.
- You are experiencing issues with data consistency using the API.
- You find it challenging to maintain your current API integration.
- You’re pulling together data from multiple sites.
Q: We already have a Business Intelligence (BI) tool like PowerBI or Tableau. Do we need the new L2L Analytics tool?
A: If you're already visualizing your data effectively using an external BI tool, you likely don't need the full L2L Analytics tool. Instead, you want Data Files to support accessing the data directly in PowerBI or Tableau.
Q: Can I still use the API if I switch to Data Files?
A: Yes, Data Files are not intended to replace the API entirely. The API remains a valuable tool for specific, transactional data requests and system integrations. Data Files would augment your current API usage.
Q: How do I get more information about Data Files and switch over from my API integration?
A: Please reach out to your L2L account representative to discuss your data access needs and determine if Data Files are the right solution for you.