Archiving Salesforce data using an ODBC (Open Database
Connectivity) driver provides a method to extract data from Salesforce and
store it in a separate database. This is often done to improve system
performance, conserve storage space, or meet regulatory requirements for data
retention. The ODBC driver allows easy and efficient data transfer from
Salesforce to another database management system, such as Microsoft SQL Server
or MySQL.
There are several common mistakes that specialists can make
while archiving Salesforce data, including:
- Failing to install and configure the ODBC driver properly
can result in errors or connectivity issues when extracting data from
Salesforce.
- Neglecting to perform data quality checks can result in
errors or inconsistencies in the archived data, making it difficult to use or
analyze.
- Not testing the archiving process can result in data loss
or errors, making it essential to perform a thorough test before deploying the
process in a live environment.
- Neglecting to schedule the archiving process can result in
outdated or missing data in the archive, making it imperative to schedule the
process to run at regular intervals.
- Not properly securing archived data can result in data
loss or theft.
- Neglecting to follow regulatory requirements, such as data
retention regulations, can result in legal or financial consequences for the
organization.
By avoiding these common mistakes, specialists can ensure
that the Salesforce data archiving process is efficient, effective, and secure.
Read more to learn how to archive Salesforce data using an
ODBC driver avoiding common mistakes.
About Salesforce
Salesforce is a customer relationship management (CRM)
platform that provides businesses with tools for managing sales, customer
service, and marketing operations.
Salesforce is used by many businesses, from small startups
to large enterprises. It is particularly popular in organizations' sales,
marketing, and customer service departments. Some industries that use
Salesforce include technology, financial services, healthcare, government, and
non-profit organizations.
In addition to its core CRM functionality, Salesforce offers
a range of other features, such as analytics, collaboration tools, and custom
app development through its AppExchange platform. This flexibility and
scalability have made Salesforce a popular choice for organizations looking to
streamline their operations and improve customer engagement.
What Data Archiving is and How it Works
Data archiving is moving data that is no longer actively
used to a separate storage location, typically for long-term retention. Data
archiving frees up space on primary storage systems, improves system
performance, and complies with regulatory requirements for data retention.
Data archiving works by identifying no longer actively used
data and moving it to a separate storage system, such as tape libraries or
cloud storage. The archived data is still accessible, but it is no longer
stored on primary storage systems, reducing the amount of data that needs to be
managed and backed up. The data is typically compressed and encrypted to save
storage space and protect the information.
There are several methods for data archiving, including
manual methods, such as copying files to a separate location, and automated
methods, such as using software tools that automate the data archiving process.
These tools can be configured to automatically move data based on specific
criteria, such as file age or data type.
It is an essential aspect of data management and helps
organizations to maintain efficient storage systems, reduce storage costs, and
comply with data retention regulations.
Several tools can be used to perform data archiving,
including:
- Backup software: Backup software can be used to back up
data to tape or other removable media. This software can be configured to
automatically archive data based on specific criteria, such as file age or data
type.
- Archive software: Archive software is specifically
designed for data archiving. It can move data from primary storage systems to
secondary ones, such as tape libraries or cloud storage. The software can be
configured to automatically move data based on specific criteria, such as file
age or data type.
- Storage management software: Storage management software
can manage data storage systems and automate the data archiving process. This
software can move data between storage systems, such as disk, tape, and cloud
storage.
- Cloud storage services: Cloud storage services, such as
Amazon S3 or Microsoft Azure, can be used for data archiving. These services
provide scalable, off-site storage for no longer actively used data.
- Database archiving tools: Database archiving tools can
archive data from relational databases, such as MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server.
These tools can move data to secondary storage systems, such as tape libraries
or cloud storage.
The tool used for data archiving depends on the
organization's requirements, such as the amount of data being archived, the
type of data, and the required storage capacity.
How to Archive Salesforce Data via ODBC driver
To archive data via Salesforce data archiving tool,
you need to follow these steps:
1. Install the Devart ODBC driver: Download and install the
Devart ODBC driver for Salesforce. This driver allows you to connect to
Salesforce and extract data using an ODBC-compliant application.
2. Create a Data Source Name (DSN): Create a DSN that
connects to your Salesforce account using the Devart ODBC driver. The DSN
contains the information required to connect to Salesforce, such as your
username, password, and security token.
3. Extract data from Salesforce: Use an ODBC-compliant
application to extract data from Salesforce. This can be done using SQL queries
or a data extraction tool, such as Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access.
4. Store the data in an archive: Once you have extracted it
from Salesforce, store it in an archive. This can be done by copying the data
to a separate database, such as Microsoft SQL Server or MySQL, or storing it in
a cloud-based archive, such as Amazon S3 or Microsoft Azure.
5. Schedule the archiving process: Schedule the process at a
specific time and frequency, such as daily or weekly. This can be done using a
scheduling tool, such as Windows Task Scheduler or cron.
Following these steps, you can archive Salesforce data using
the Devart ODBC driver. This provides a reliable and efficient method for
extracting data from Salesforce and storing it in a separate archive for
long-term retention.
Advantages of Data Archiving
The advantages of data archiving include:
- Increased storage efficiency: Archiving data helps free up
space on primary storage systems, improving system performance and reducing
storage costs.
- Improved data management: Archiving data separates
actively used data from data no longer needed, making it easier to manage and
back up data.
- Compliance with regulatory requirements: Data archiving
can help organizations to comply with data retention regulations, such as the
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Faster data retrieval: Archived data can be accessed more
quickly than data stored on primary storage systems, as it is stored on faster,
dedicated storage systems.
- Data protection: Archived data is stored in a secure,
off-site location, providing additional protection against data loss or theft.
- Cost savings: Archiving data can reduce storage costs, as
archived data does not require expensive primary storage systems.
- Improved disaster recovery: Archived data can be used to
recover data during a disaster, providing an additional layer of protection for
critical data.
These are some of the main advantages of data archiving. By
archiving data, organizations can improve the efficiency of their data storage
systems, protect critical data, and reduce costs.
Also note that Devart ODBC driver is available for several
operating systems, including:
- Windows: The Devart ODBC driver is compatible with all
recent versions of the Windows operating system, including Windows 10, Windows
8, and Windows 7.
- Linux: The Devart ODBC driver is available for several
popular Linux distributions, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu, and
Fedora.
- macOS: The Devart ODBC driver is compatible with the macOS
operating system.
This means that the Devart ODBC driver is available for many
operating systems, making it a versatile option for organizations that need to
archive data from Salesforce. However, it is important to check the specific
requirements of your operating system before installing the Devart ODBC driver.
You can download a free trial right now!
Conclusion
Archiving Salesforce data using an ODBC driver, such as the
Devart ODBC driver, can be a straightforward process if the proper steps are
followed. The process typically involves the following steps: installing the
ODBC driver, creating a Data Source Name (DSN), extracting data from
Salesforce, storing the data in an archive, and scheduling the archiving
process.
The advantages of archiving Salesforce data include
increased storage efficiency, improved data management, compliance with
regulatory requirements, faster data retrieval, data protection, cost savings,
and improved disaster recovery.
The Devart ODBC driver is available for several operating
systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it a versatile option for
organizations that need to archive data from Salesforce.
In conclusion, archiving Salesforce data using ODBC drivers,
like one by Devart, can be an easy and effective way to manage and protect
critical data while also improving the efficiency of storage systems and
reducing costs.