At Ascend, we believe it’s time to rethink data engineering from the ground up. As the world of data continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, we are thrilled to announce the next revolutionary step in our journey – Project Inception. Ascend has always been at the forefront of innovation, and with Project Inception, we’re setting a new standard. This initiative is more than just an upgrade; it’s a reimagining of what a Data Automation Platform can be: dynamic, extensible, and highly intelligent.  A unified platform that combines a powerful metadata core, an extensible plugin architect ..read more

The rise of generative AI is changing more than just technology; it’s reshaping our professional landscapes — and yes, data engineering is directly experiencing the impact. How does AI recalibrate the workload and priorities of data teams? Does it serve merely as an enhancement to the skills of data professionals, or does it redefine their roles entirely? How can data engineers harness the power of AI? And crucially, what does the future hold for data engineering in an AI-driven world? While data engineering and Artificial Intelligence (AI) may seem like distinct fields at first glance, thei ..read more

You are a data professional. This means that you are fully aware of the recent developments in AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). You’ve identified several complex challenges within your business that AI seems tailor-made to tackle. Exciting, isn’t it Yet, embarking on the AI adoption journey introduces a series of challenges, with one of the most significant being the readiness of your data platform. Is it equipped to support the sophisticated demands of AI initiatives? In this article, we outline the essential prerequisites for an AI data platform. What capabilities should your data plat ..read more

A common hurdle that many data engineering teams face is how to choose the right data replication strategy. Despite the availability of tools that offer a plug-and-play experience, the lack of a deep understanding of these strategies can lead to inefficient data management, potentially derailing your plans to create slowly changing dimensions in your data warehouse. This article breaks down the complexities of data replication strategies in a way that’s easy to understand. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the know-how to choose a strategy that not only makes sense but also ..read more

The rapidly evolving AI landscape presents a multitude of opportunities for organizations. As AI’s capabilities expand, businesses are leveraging these advancements for cost reductions, revenue growth, market expansion, and product innovation (here are some real-world examples).   The McKinsey Global Survey on AI in 2023 highlights this evolution, revealing that despite the nascent stage of generative AI, its use is already widespread, with a third of respondents saying their organizations are utilizing generative AI in at least one function. Source: McKinsey Global Survey on AI ..read more

Ascend.io Earns Placements on Built In’s Best Places to Work List
 [Menlo Park, CALIFORNIA // January 9, 2024] — Built In today announced that Ascend.io was honored in its 2024 Best Places To Work Awards. Specifically, Ascend earned places on the lists of Best Places to Work in San Francisco and Best Remote Places to Work. The annual awards program includes companies of all sizes, from startups to those in the enterprise, and honors both remote-first employers as well as companies in large tech markets across the U.S. “We’re honored to be recognized by Built In for the second consecutive yea ..read more

Getting your hands on the right data at the right time is the lifeblood of any forward-thinking company. But let’s be honest, creating effective, robust, and reliable data pipelines, the ones that feed your company’s reporting and analytics, is no walk in the park. From building the connectors to ensuring that data lands smoothly in your reporting warehouse, each step requires a nuanced understanding and strategic approach.  In this article, we explore how to build a data pipeline from the ground up in six steps. But our journey doesn’t end there. Recognizing the complexities inherent i ..read more

If you’re working with Snowflake or just starting to explore its capabilities, you might be wondering: Do I really need ETL for Snowflake? Is it possible to rely solely on Snowflake’s own features, or is there a strong case for bringing ETL into the mix? If so, where do I get started? In this article, we’re diving into these questions to clear up any confusion. We’ll talk about when and why ETL becomes essential in your Snowflake journey and walk you through the process of choosing the right ETL tool. Our focus is to make your decision-making process smoother, helping you understand how to b ..read more

Are you dealing with a scattered data environment, with complex pipelines that seem to go everywhere and nowhere at the same time? Is your data stuck in separate areas within your company, making it hard to use effectively? Here’s the deal: for data to truly drive your business forward, you need a reliable and scalable system to keep it moving without hiccups. In other words, you need data orchestration. In this article, we’ll break down what data orchestration is, its significance, and how it differs from data pipeline orchestration. Yes, they may seem similar, but they are indeed distinct ..read more

As you navigate today’s business landscape, have you noticed the staggering changes brought on by artificial intelligence (AI)? We’re talking real changes in real companies, impacting everything from routine processes to sparking innovative breakthroughs. AI is transforming everything — and fast. Why This Matters Now According to McKinsey’s latest survey, one-third of businesses are already using generative AI in key areas like marketing, sales, and service operations. The big question now isn’t about its potential, but where to start in your organization’s complex ecosystem. That’s what we ..read more