A cloud data warehouse guarantees relevant scalability, performance and overall data management benefits. Therefore, choosing one is increasingly important for companies and organisations; however, understanding which one to implement is a multifaceted question.
Several factors can influence the decision to use a cloud data warehouse. These include the services already in use, the data that will be stored in the warehouse and the type of offer that best meets the needs of the business.
The starting point: business needs
The first thing to consider before choosing a system for the data warehouse is to understand the specific needs of your business.
Each company has specific data volume, query complexity, data integration with other platforms and budget requirements. A careful evaluation of these aspects is essential to identify the most suitable solution.
So, it is appropriate to ask yourself a few questions, including:
- Which are the most commonly used types of data?
- Is there a need for real-time processing?
- What is the estimated maximum number of simultaneous queries?
Cloud data warehouse: scalability and performance
One of the main advantages of cloud-based data warehouses is their ability to scale in response to business needs dynamically. However, not all providers offer the same level of scalability and performance.
It is important to evaluate the ability of the cloud data warehouse to scale horizontally and vertically, as well as its ability to manage difficult and heavy workloads. The architectural type is designed to manage the latency of queries and the processing of multiple queries simultaneously.
The business use case is an important starting point: handling queries, answering rapidly and processing some types of data, for example, are aspects that can differentiate two cloud data warehouses.
In the performance chapter, it is important to consider the supported data formats of the cloud data warehouse. It would be ideal to assess solutions that can accommodate the most commonly used formats in a company during its everyday operations. Better still if the cloud data warehouse is compatible with semi-structured data, to make operations more efficient. Today, many solutions allow an automatic conversion of semi-structured data into queries.
In addition, several cloud data warehouse vendors offer digital services that could be utilised in-house, such as business intelligence systems. In other words, integrating a solution of the same vendor implies a higher compatibility and a more cohesive application ecosystem. However, a strategy of gathering many applications from a single vendor may also have unintended consequences: one of these could be the risk of a vendor lock-in. These are evaluations that all companies must do based on their profile and their needs.
Cloud data warehouse: integration matters too
Another crucial aspect before choosing a cloud data warehouse is its ease of use and integration with other platforms and business tools. This verifies that the services already used in a company are inborn and supported by the cloud data warehouse solution, to continue to operate without substantial differences. This approach allows users to utilise the same applications with no additional intermediary steps.
Furthermore, an intuitive user interface and effective management data tools can significantly streamline the analysis and reporting process.
Cloud data warehouse: be careful with costs and the pricing model
In conclusion, costs related to the cloud data warehouse are a crucial aspect to consider. Besides the initial cost of implementation, it is important to evaluate the pricing model of the supplier, which can vary from prices based on the effective use of data (pay per use, for example for every terabyte you used) to monthly or annual subscription models.
Hidden costs or extra commissions can influence the final choice. Many vendors propose additional features at a higher price. However, the initial risk for customers is always to ask for more than what is required. A focused solution, especially at the beginning, will help your organisation to use the system at best, therefore it would be beneficial to ask for a consultation to get support, too.
Selecting the optimal cloud data warehouse for your business is a pivotal decision that can significantly influence your business operations and overall performance. With the right solution, companies can fully use their data potential and get a competitive advantage in today’s increasingly digital market.
