A data platform is a software solution that operates in the cloud to store data, such as in a data warehouse or data lake. The cloud platform can help ensure that proper data management is being utilized, such as maintaining database structures and ensuring proper security protocols. Furthermore, most cloud data platforms enable additional uses of data rather than just simply leaving it in storage, such as data analysis and data sharing.
One of the biggest advantages of cloud data platforms is the ability to automatically analyze data sets. Data analytics can easily be integrated throughout big data platforms. Rather than only running on a set schedule, analysis can be performed on large amounts of data, in real time, as it is ingested into the platform. This type of analysis has long been a focus of data science, and there are multiple machine learning algorithms available to ensure the most accurate and useful analyses are performed on the existing data. Business intelligence (BI) tools, such as Microsoft Power BI and Amazon Web Services (AWS) QuickSight, allow for the collection, analysis, and presentation of data to help drive growth. BI tools help businesses and organizations present data-driven conclusions to decision makers in order to plan for future strategies. The use of data analytics enables organizations to maximize the use of both their data and their cloud platform.
The use of data platforms and data warehousing also help secure against data loss and data breaches. These platforms generally include the ability to duplicate data across geographic regions, which helps reduce the risk of data loss because of a catastrophic event such as a fire or flood. Additionally, this duplication can occur in real time, ensuring that the backup is always up to date. Such data services also enable subscribers to limit who can access data and can include enhanced security features such as Multifactor Authentication (MFA) to further ensure legitimate access. Additionally, data platforms allow for secure sharing of data as business and organizational needs dictate.
Data platforms can benefit organizations and businesses through:
- Quick ingestion and analysis: Data platforms enable the seamless integration of data ingestion and analysis. Machine learning can be run on data as it is being integrated into the platform. This allows for immediate access both to the analysis and to the data itself.
- Scalability: Data platforms can be upgraded or downgraded as needed. If a small amount of data is needed to be stored one month, but a large amount is expected the next, it is easy to change the subscription as needed. Similarly, if data analysis needs to be expedited one day, but can be scheduled on another, sevice plans can be adjusted to meet each need.
- Easy budgeting: Rather than investing heavily in capital expenditures (CAPEX), data platforms require very little start up expenses, and can easily be budgeted for as part of operational expenses (OPEX). Generally, data platforms can easily predict what spending will look like month to month, and frequently have tools in place to help track expenditures.