Building a Unified Data Layer for Scalable, Cross-Platform Access
Tools Used: Python · REST API · GraphQL · Scheduling Framework
Project Overview
Modern platforms rely on synchronized data across services. I built a Python-powered automation system that fetches data from multiple **REST** and **GraphQL** APIs, consolidating it into a single source of truth for downstream applications.
The system was designed to run on a scheduled basis, dynamically handling diverse endpoints and merging data into a unified structure. This solution supports IT service providers and cross-platform businesses by simplifying data access, improving reliability, and enabling future integrations.
Data Preparation & Exploration
Using Python, I configured dynamic connectors for:
REST APIs with varied authentication and pagination schemes GraphQL endpoints with custom queries and schema parsing Batch scheduling for periodic data pulls Retry logic and error handling for robustness
I built logic to normalize and merge:
JSON responses from REST endpoints Nested GraphQL data structures Metadata tags for source tracking and schema alignment Conflict resolution strategies for overlapping fieldsThis ensured consistent, clean, and queryable data across services.
System Architecture & Integration
The system architecture was modular and future-proof:
Scheduler Layer: Automates batch fetching at defined intervals Connector Layer: Handles REST and GraphQL endpoints with dynamic configs Merge Engine: Consolidates incoming data into a unified schema Error Handling: Implements retries, logging, and alerting for failures Access Layer: Exposes consolidated data for downstream servicesThe backend was built for extensibility, allowing new APIs to be added with minimal configuration.
Key Insights & Strategic Recommendations
The project delivered several strategic benefits:
Unified data access across platforms reduced integration complexity Scheduled automation ensured timely updates without manual effort Dynamic endpoint handling enabled rapid onboarding of new services Robust error handling improved reliability and reduced downtimeThese outcomes positioned the system as a scalable integration layer for future growth.
Operational Impact
The project achieved measurable improvements:
Reduced manual data fetching and reconciliation by 90 percent Improved data freshness and consistency across platforms Enabled faster onboarding of new APIs and services Provided a foundation for analytics, reporting, and automation
Collaboration & Workflow
I collaborated with multiple stakeholders to ensure alignment:
Engineering: To define endpoint schemas and integration logic Data Teams: To validate merged structures and ensure queryability Operations: To configure scheduling and monitor sync healthThe system was deployed with monitoring hooks and documentation for easy maintenance.
Lessons Learned
Flexibility is key: Dynamic configs simplify multi-API integration Error handling matters: Retry logic and logging prevent silent failures Consolidation drives clarity: A single source of truth improves decision-making