Moving analytics to the cloud provides flexibility, improved performance, and cost savings while eliminating the need for on-premise infrastructure and regular updates.
Before deciding to move everything to the cloud, organizations should consider alternatives and evaluate specific requirements, costs, and risks.
Deep dives
Benefits of moving analytics to the cloud
Moving analytics to the cloud offers flexibility, improved performance, and cost savings. Cloud platforms provide the necessary infrastructure and tools for efficient data analysis, allowing data scientists and analysts to work more effectively. It eliminates the need for on-premise infrastructure and regular updates, offering greater flexibility and reducing costs. Organizations can also focus on strategic technology decision-making instead of managing platforms. Overall, moving analytics to the cloud provides increased scalability, agility, and operational efficiency.
Different paths to move analytics to the cloud
When migrating analytics to the cloud, organizations can start with the storage layer, using cost-effective options like Amazon S3, Azure blob, or Google cloud storage. Then, they can connect it to their enterprise data analytics warehouse or database. It is recommended to begin with moving files to the cloud and worry about analytics later. Other paths in the analytics stack include the integration ingestion layer and processing layer. By gradually moving different components, organizations can optimize their cloud transition process.
Considerations and alternatives in cloud migration
Before deciding to move everything to the cloud, organizations need to consider alternatives such as a full on-premise infrastructure, a hybrid infrastructure combining on-premises and cloud resources, or an all-in-cloud approach. The flexibility and ability to design architectures according to specific needs make the cloud an optimal choice. However, some organizations may have regulatory concerns or the need for full control over their infrastructure, leading them to remain on-premises. It is essential to evaluate the specific requirements, costs, and risks to determine the best approach.
Security, economics, and triggers for cloud migration
When moving analytics to the cloud, security is a critical consideration. Public cloud providers prioritize security and follow stringent measures to ensure data protection. However, organizations opting for full on-premise solutions must handle security on their own. Cloud migration also offers economic benefits such as reduced upfront expenditures, increased scalability, operational efficiency, and faster provisioning of resources. Triggers for cloud migration include meeting business needs, reducing costs, and mandates from executives. Proper planning, goal definition, and involving business and tech teams are vital for a successful cloud migration project.
As companies scale and become more successful, new horizons open, but with them come unexpected challenges. The influx of revenue and expansion of operations often reveal hidden complexities that can hinder efficiency and inflate costs. In this tricky situation, data teams can find themselves entangled in a web of obstacles that slow down their ability to innovate and respond to ever-changing business needs. Enter cloud analytics—a transformative solution that promises to break down barriers and unleash potential. By migrating analytics to the cloud, organizations can navigate the growing pains of success, cutting costs, enhancing flexibility, and empowering data teams to work with agility and precision.
John Knieriemen is the Regional Business Lead for North America at Exasol, the market-leading high-performance analytics database. Prior to joining Exasol, he served as Vice President and General Manager at Teradata during an 11-year tenure with the company. John is responsible for strategically scaling Exasol’s North America business presence across industries and expanding the organization’s partner network.
Solongo Erdenekhuyag is the former Customer Success and Data Strategy Leader at Exasol. Solongo is skilled in strategy, business development, program management, leadership, strategic partnerships, and management.
In the episode, Richie, Solongo, and John cover the motivation for moving analytics to the cloud, economic triggers for migration, success stories from organizations who have migrated to the cloud, the challenges and potential roadblocks in migration, the importance of flexibility and open-mindedness and much more.