Technology innovation has helped businesses to realize the rewards of simplified processes and cost-effective activities. But for companies of all sizes, the only thing that is becoming a huge success is the accessibility of data from any conceivable source: sensors, social media, business apps, and so many more.
These massive data warehouses that overwhelm businesses all day every day are officially known as big data. Many have read of it, most are seeking to leverage their opportunity to move their company further, but only some have really accomplished in doing that.
Similarly, cloud technology has been embraced by businesses to boost their IT processes and build better software more quickly. A dynamic mix that can change the enterprise is the integration of big data with cloud computing. Let us discuss in detail.
What is big data?
Big data is defined as high-speed, high-volume, and high-variety data assets that require budgeted and creative ways of transmission of data that allow improved insight, automation of processes, and decision-making.
Big data on cloud
Usually, big data projects begin with data storage and implementation of simple analysis frameworks. Nevertheless, you will have to offer good ways to manage and evaluate this information when you explore ability to separate data on a much wider scale, that will possibly entail technology upgrades.
To adapt to the fast-expanding analysis demands, you can add more resources to your in-house DWH (data warehouse) or power additional nodes. Although your network may ultimately not be able to cope pace even with upgrade of your on-premises system. This is when, or perhaps more appropriately, when the big data moves to the cloud, the cloud computing comes in.
Why cloud is the perfect solution for big data?
Big data requires data manipulation of petabytes of information, and the flexible environment of the cloud technology enables data-intensive programs to be implemented that drive business analysis. The cloud technology also streamlines networking and communication within an enterprise, providing access to applicable metrics to more workers and streamlining the access of information.
While the benefits of placing big data on cloud are easy for the leaders to understand, having C-suite managers as well as other key stakeholders on board might not be as easy. However, for big data and cloud technology pairing, there is indeed a strategic argument to be made because it offers managers a clearer view of the enterprise and improves data-driven strategic thinking.
Big data supplemented via an adaptive cloud service may cause major changes in the way your company operates and meets your goals, regardless of the viewpoint you might have.
There are several companies already making the shift. A survey done by Forrester reported that cloud service big data solutions would grow about 7.5 times stronger than on-premises alternatives.
Benefits of big data on the cloud
Taking into consideration the many advantages that the potent combination of big data analysis and cloud technology can offer the transition to big data on the cloud is not unexpected. Below are the main benefits.
Minimizes CAPEX
Since companies realize it in a positive way, the cloud has radically changed IT expenditure. Big data ventures, as we discussed earlier, need enormous computing capacity, that would typically also entail high on-site investment in capital expenditures i.e., CAPEX. But the IaaS models of the cloud have enabled businesses to virtually eradicate their biggest CAPEX costs by moving them into the operating expenditure i.e., OPEX column.
Scalable
Increased computing capacity, storage and more are needed for large volumes of both unstructured and structured data. The cloud offers not just readily accessible network, as well as the opportunity to really easily scale this infrastructure so that significant fluctuations in traffic or use can be handled.
Cost-effectiveness
The analysis method has been made less expensive by mining big data on the cloud. You could also save on expenses associated with system upgrades and improvements, energy usage, facilities management, and much more, in addition to reducing on-site services. You can think less for the technological aspects of big data analysis and concentrate more on insight development. Furthermore, the cloud technology’s pay-as-you-go process is cost-effective, with minimum resource wastage.
Bring Agility and Innovation to the Work Environment
A mentality that really should be practiced within every company is the capacity to invent. This kind of environment can lead to innovative ways to achieve a competitive edge with the use of big data, and the cloud technology makes it easier to build up the structure needed to do just that. You could more quickly and easily find insights that help you increase product lines, improve operating performance, enhance the customer experience, and even more when the team focuses on analyzing data rather than handling web servers and datacenters.
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Solutions
Conventional data recovery techniques may no more do the job in number of cyber, power failures, or faulty equipment. In readiness for a catastrophe, the job of copying a data center with redundant storage, databases, network devices, and other resources is boring, complicated, and costly. In addition, getting the information stored on the cloud technology will allow the company to recover more quickly from accidents, ensuring sustained access to data and valuable insights into big data.
Potential challenges of big data in the cloud
The transfer of big data on the cloud poses different obstacles. To address such, IT leaders need a collective campaign. Below are a few main obstacles of the deployment of big data clouds.
- Security is a concern as cloud allows less control over the visibility and accessibility of data
- Cloud has lesser control over compliance as compared to on-premises
- Cloud has more network latency and dependency issues
Conclusion
The amount and pace at which information is increasing can be daunting, particularly for startups, but Big data is still a privilege. It can help your organization to become an effective, data-driven enterprise by using the cloud technology for big data projects. If you want to explore big data or launch your career in big data analysis, then enroll yourself into Microsoft data science certification programs and give yourself a kickstart.
