It’s been a long time since the way data was stored and
accessed has been addressed. We went from scrolls to books to mainframes and
this last method hasn’t budged all that much over the last decade or so. This
is despite the fact that we keep creating more and more information, which
means that better ways for storing and finding it would make a world of
difference. Fortunately, this is where data virtualization comes into play. If
your company isn’t currently using this type of software, you’re missing out on
a better way of leveraging your organization’s data.
Problems with Traditional Methods
No matter what line of work you’re in, your company is
creating all kinds of information each and every business day. We’re not just
talking about copy for your website or advertising materials either.
Information is created with each and every transaction and just about any time
you interact with a customer.
You’re also not just creating information in these moments.
You need to access stored data too. If you don’t do this well—and many, many
companies don’t—you’re going to end up with a lot of unnecessary problems. Of
course, you’re also wasting a lot of money on all that info you’re creating but
not using.
The main problem with traditional methods of data storage and
retrieval is that they rely on movement and replication processes and
intermediary servers and connectors for integrating via a point-to-point
system. This worked for a long time. For a few companies, it may seem like it’s
still working to some degree.
However, there’s a high cost to this kind of data movement
process. If you’re still trying to shoulder it, chances are your overhead looks
a lot worse than competitors that have moved on.
That’s not the only problem worth addressing, though.
There’s also the huge growth of data that’s continuing to head north. We’ve
touched on this, but the problem is so prevalent that there’s a term for it
throughout every industry: Big Data. Obviously, it refers to the fact that
there is just so much information out there, but the fact this term exists also
shows how much it affects all kinds of companies.
Big Data is also a statement about its creation. Its sheer
proliferation is massive. Every year, the amount increases at an exponential
rate. There’s just no way the old methods for storing and finding it will work.
Finally, customers expect that you’ll be able to find
whatever information you need to meet their demands. Whether it’s actual
information they want from you or it’s just information you need to carry out
their transaction, most won’t understand why this isn’t possible. After all,
they use Google and other search engines every day. If those platforms can find
just about anything for free, why can’t your company do the same?
The Solution Is Data Virtualization
If all of the above sounded a bit grim, don’t worry. There’s
a very simple solution waiting for you in data virtualization. This type of
software overcomes the challenges that come with your data being stored all
over your enterprise. You never again have to run a million different searches
to collect it all or come up with some halfway decent workaround. Finally,
there’s a type of platform made specifically for your company’s data gathering
needs.
This software isn’t just effective. It’s convenient too. You
work through one, single interface and can have access to the entirety of your
company’s data store. What it does is effectively separate the external
interface from the implementation going on inside.
How It Works
Every data virtualization platform is going to have its own
way of working, so it’s definitely worth researching this before putting your
money behind any piece of software. However, the basic idea remains the same
across most titles.
With virtualization software, the data doesn’t have to be physically
moved because this technology uses meta data to create a virtual perspective of
the sources you need to get to. Doing so provides a faster and much more agile
way of getting to and combining data from all the different sources available:
·
Distributed
·
Mainframe
·
Cloud
·
Big Data
As you can probably tell, this makes it much easier to get
your hands on important information than the way you’re currently doing it.
Finding the Right Title for Your Company
Although they all serve the same purpose and the vast
majority will follow the outline we just went through, there are still enough
virtualization software titles out there that it’s worth thinking about what
your best option will look like. As with any type of software, you don’t want
to invest your money anywhere it’s not going to do the most good.
The good news is that this software has been around long
enough that there have been best practices established for how it should work.
First, you want to look for a title that will actually
transform the way your mainframe works by leveraging what it can do for every
search. This is just a good use of your resources and gives you more bang for
your buck as far as your mainframe is concerned. Software that uses it for
virtualization purposes is going to work even better than a distribution-based
application and won’t cost any more.
However, it’s also going to work a lot better for that price
too. A lot of companies also love that this way of carrying out a search is
more secure as well. The last thing you want is to pay for a piece of software
that’s actually going to leave you worse off.
Secondly, although this may sound complex, you can and
should find a solution that keeps things simple. Data integration can be
straightforward with the method we just described without any need for
redundant processes that would slow down your ability to scale up.
With data virtualization, there is no downside. Furthermore,
it’s becoming more and more of a necessity. Companies are going to have to
invest in this software as Big Data continues to get bigger.
Mike Miranda writes about enterprise software and covers
products offered by software companies like Rocket
Software.about topics such as Terminal Emulation, Legacy
Modernization, Enterprise Search, Big Data and Enterprise
Mobility.