What does AWS Data Pipeline automate?

AWS Data Pipeline is a web service designed to help automate the movement and transformation of data between different AWS compute and storage services, as well as on-premises data sources. This service enables users to define data-driven workflows that can be routinely executed, making it easier to process data in a reliable and repeatable manner.

The automation of data movement refers to the capability of transferring data seamlessly between various data sources and destinations, such as Amazon S3, Amazon RDS, or even on-premise databases. In conjunction with data transformation, AWS Data Pipeline allows users to perform tasks such as filtering, aggregating, and transforming data into the desired format before it is stored or analyzed. This flexibility and capability to create complex data workflows distinguish AWS Data Pipeline, as it addresses two critical aspects of data management: ensuring data is moved efficiently and transformed according to specific business logic.

While data analysis and reporting, data backup and archiving, and data security and compliance are essential components of a comprehensive data strategy, they are not the primary focus of AWS Data Pipeline. Instead, they are often handled by other AWS services better suited for those tasks. For example, AWS QuickSight is used for data analysis and reporting, Amazon S3 Glacier for backup and archiving, and