ETL software stands for Extract, Transform, Load software. It is a type of data integration tool that helps organizations gather data from various sources, such as databases and applications. The "Extract" phase involves pulling data from these sources, while the "Transform" phase cleans and organizes the data into a usable format. Finally, the "Load" phase involves storing the transformed data into a target system, like a data warehouse. ETL software is essential for businesses that need to analyze large volumes of data for decision-making. By using ETL processes, companies can ensure that their data is accurate, consistent, and readily available for reporting and analysis. Popular ETL tools include Informatica, Talend, and Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services.