If you’re immersed in the field of data technology and haven’t come across Snowflake, there are only two possible reasons: either you’ve been keeping your head in the sand, or your newsletters for the past 3-5 years have mysteriously landed in spam (and that’s something you should probably fix!).
The popularity of Snowflake has skyrocketed in recent years, extending beyond the technology industry. Snowflake Inc., the company behind the acclaimed Snowflake Data Platform, made a significant mark on September 16, 2020, with the largest software IPO in US history, boasting a valuation exceeding 70 billion dollars.
Since then, global user numbers have surged, and the platform has seamlessly integrated with various software and services. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this immense popularity.
A Brief Database Overview
Before we explore what sets Snowflake apart, let’s grasp how other solutions operated until now. Traditionally, all company workloads (data ingestion, ETL, BI, Data Science, etc.) relied on a single compute cluster. Despite different products using varied scaling methods, the end result was the same – all workloads shared the same cluster.
This becomes challenging when various workloads attempt to run queries simultaneously, leading to the need to split computing power between them. Adjusting resources for specific workloads becomes a complex task, often resulting in a fixed amount of computing power.
Scaling up becomes necessary when a workload slightly exceeds the system’s total capacity. Each round of scaling usually doubles the horsepower and increases running costs permanently.
Snowflake’s Pay-per-Use Innovative System
Snowflake introduced a smart and user-friendly solution to address these longstanding problems. Its data platform allows scaling up when needed, scaling down when unnecessary, and stopping payments during periods of inactivity.
Snowflake manages workloads differently from traditional databases. It offers various ready-to-use computing resources dedicated to each workload, all simultaneously accessing the same data copy for both read and write operations. Assigning independent compute clusters to the same data copy is at the core of what makes Snowflake stand out.
This innovative approach positions Snowflake as a leading data platform, serving as a replacement for on-prem and cloud-based traditional solutions across numerous large and small companies. Automation with minimal administration is a key factor in Snowflake’s success.
Multi-Cloud Strategy
Snowflake goes even further—it doesn’t tie you to a specific cloud vendor. Whether it’s Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud, Snowflake operates seamlessly. If you have a multi-cloud strategy or a global operation requiring data accessibility across different cloud providers worldwide, Snowflake offers unparalleled flexibility. Data synchronization across the globe and various cloud vendors is effortlessly handled by Snowflake, ensuring data isn’t locked into a single provider.
In essence, Snowflake 101 teaches us that it brings a revolutionary approach to data management. Now that you know, spread the word, and don’t forget to give this article a LIKE if you find it helpful!
