Salesforce Certified Data Architecture Practice Test

What are the key steps a data architect should take when merging data from multiple systems into Salesforce?

1. Create new fields to store additional values from all the systems.

2. Install a 3rd party AppExchange tool to handle the merger.

3. Utilize an ETL tool to merge, transform and de-duplicate data.

4. Work with Stakeholders to define record and field survivorship rules.

The correct answer is: Utilize an ETL tool to merge, transform and de-duplicate data.

Utilizing an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tool to merge, transform, and de-duplicate data is a crucial step for a data architect when integrating data from multiple systems into Salesforce. ETL tools are designed to handle large volumes of data, allowing for efficient extraction from different data sources, transforming that data into a suitable format, and loading it into the target system—in this case, Salesforce. This approach is beneficial as it allows for systematic data cleansing, which includes deduplication to ensure that only unique records are retained during the merging process. Furthermore, ETL tools often incorporate advanced features for handling data transformation, such as mapping fields from source systems to the appropriate fields in Salesforce, ensuring data integrity, consistency, and compliance with business rules across various systems. In the context of data merging, the process handled by ETL tools can significantly streamline the integration workflow, reducing the potential for errors and mismatches that may occur when managing data manually or using basic manual methods. This choice reflects an understanding of the technical requirements and complexity involved in effective data integration within Salesforce.