Moving business data to the cloud
Author : Simon Burgess, Xerini
28 November 2023
In today's data-driven business landscape, efficient data management systems are crucial for making informed decisions and gaining a competitive edge. Is there a more effective alternative to the data warehouse?
Data warehousing is a popular choice for businesses, because it provides a structured, centralised repository for information coming from different sources. However, as data management needs evolve, will the warehouse always be the best approach? Here Simon Burgess, Partner at AI data management specialist Xerini, explores.
Effective reporting can be time-consuming and complex when data is trapped in different systems and across siloed departments. Team members will often have to copy data from the systems that they use into a spreadsheet to create the report they need. When manually inputting information, users could accidentally omit certain data points or input errors, negatively impacting the integrity of the data in the final report.
Instead, building a warehouse can help to bring together large amounts of data from wide-ranging systems split across different departments. Consolidating data into one central area streamlines storage, querying and analysis of historical information, giving businesses the ability to make more informed decisions, and reducing the need for manual entry.
Warehouse limitations
Warehousing can streamline data management, but it can also be a challenge. This is particularly true for smaller businesses with limited resources, because they believe that the complexity and cost of implementation means that data warehousing is beyond their reach.
For those businesses that are willing to invest in this form of data management, building the warehouse can also be complex, because it requires specialist expertise. Integrating data from multiple sources with varying formats, while ensuring consistency, requires meticulous planning and expertise. Then, introducing new technologies or systems in the future creates more challenges, as experts must find a way to transfer this new data source into the warehouse.
Once built, the warehouse provides a structured, centralised system where any user can find the accurate, quality data they need. Reporting and managing data integrity becomes much easier, and the business can gain valuable insights from their newly organised system. However, the time-consuming set up can delay gaining visibility over data, and if the business goals change during the build, the warehouse may no longer meet the needs of the team. Data warehousing also relies on batch processing, which means that information might not always be up to date, making it more difficult to make decisions based on real-time metrics.
What’s the alternative?
In light of these challenges, businesses are seeking alternatives that offer real-time access to data, actionable insights and cost-effectiveness. Cloud-based platforms, for example, have emerged as a compelling alternative to traditional data warehousing, because of their agility, scalability and real-time capabilities. These platforms integrate systems and data, providing a single pane of glass for viewing and acting upon data instantly. With real-time access and analysis, cloud-based platforms facilitate data-driven decision-making, saving time and resources compared to traditional warehousing.
To choose the right data management system, businesses should conduct a thorough needs assessment, considering factors such as data volume, variety, real-time needs, and available resources. Cloud-based platforms like Xefr are often better suited for situations where businesses require real-time access to integrated data, seamless data-driven decision-making, and incremental implementation.
Once a business decides to adopt a cloud-based platform, the first step is identifying the specific needs and goals that the platform should fulfil. Businesses should research different platform options, and consult experts to determine the best fit for their requirements. An incremental approach to implementation, focusing on areas with the most apparent inefficiencies, is recommended. This allows businesses to uncover challenges, iron out processes, and demonstrate the value of the platform before a full-scale rollout.
Consequently, while data warehousing has been a prevalent data management system, cloud-based platforms offer a more effective alternative with real-time access to data, actionable insights, and cost-effectiveness. By leveraging these platforms, businesses can optimise their data management processes, make better decisions, and gain a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving business landscape.
Looking to explore cloud-based data management systems? Contact Xerini.
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