Big Data April 2012

Practical IT Research that Drives Measurable Results

Big DataApril 2012

Info-Tech Research Group 1

Introduction


In appreciation for your participation in this survey, we have created this exclusive summary of results.

The data you provided is being leveraged in our research.

Thank you for your participation.

This document has these three main sections:Key Insights

Respondent Demographics

Survey Question Graphs

If you have any questions or concerns please contact:

Scott KoopmanPanel CoordinatorInfo-Tech Research GroupE-mail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Info-Tech Research Group


Key Insights

Respondent Demographic

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Don’t jump in the car without a map; start with a business problem, and find a solution that may include big data tools

Don’t hit the panic button just yet! Yes, the volume, velocity, and variety of data is increasing, but that doesn’t mean that your organization needs a big data solution.

Too many organizations are jumping into big data deployments without knowing the consequences. Don’t abandon your traditional relational database management systems (RDBMS) just yet. Slow down and think about what you are going to do with your data before jumping into any new initiatives.

In the big data market, use case is key. Figure out your businesses problems, explore and evaluate your options, and then select a solution – whether it involves big data technologies or not.

Organizations are reporting steep increases in the amount of both structured and unstructured data they manage.

While most believe they are effective at managing structured data, they consider themselves ineffective at managing unstructured data.

But this does not necessarily require an entirely new approach to managing data.


Your big data solution might be a combination of big data platforms and relational databases• Your organization likely uses a relational database to

manage your data. Most organizations surveyed feel that their current databases are managing their structured data quite well, so why give up on a good thing?

• Relational databases may no longer be able to handle all of your data needs and, in that case, adding a big data technology might be necessary.

• However, because there are still advantages to using SQL (structured query language) that would be lost in a big data-only strategy, many organizations are using a combination of new tools and SQL in order to best manage their data.

An online store has an existing SQL database that manages its authorization system and storefront. SQL is necessary in order to ensure no lost transactions and full ACID compliance.

The store also tracks its social activity using a Key/Value database. This database provides speed and can easily store large amounts of data, but provides less consistency than an SQL solution. However, as social data is not as critical as transactional, this solution is appropriate.

The store also provides recommendations to customers about products they might like. They use a Column database for this purpose. SQL is not necessary because the information is not relational.

Example

Note: This strategy isn’t new. Organizations already make use of a number of different relational database platforms. Adding a big data database won’t be without its complications, but it can be just another database in the mix.




Key Insights


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Key Insights


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• Within the coming weeks, Info-Tech will be launching several more short surveys that will offer similar results to these.

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• To ensure you are included or for more information please email Scott Koopman


mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Big Data April 2012