Data now drives so many things and it’s a crucial resource for any organization. The insights that can be gained by analyzing data give businesses a competitive advantage that used to be unimaginable.
But in order to make the most use of business data, you need to have the right tools by your side. Let’s take a better look at the issue and list some useful tools that you might want to invest in.
Consider investing in business servers
Using a server can help businesses increase their output and improve their efficiency when it comes to data. On a network, servers manage, store, and distribute data to workstations. They typically offer increased security and simple interaction with backup/recovery software because they are more capable than the average workstation.
Since servers are essential to a disaster recovery plan. They have “hot-swappable” components that may be changed while the server is running and are made to function even in the event of hardware or power failures.
The main reason why it would make sense to invest in a server is business growth. Business growth equals growth in the amount of data you use, so you need to be prepared for it.
If you’re running on a tight budget, you may want to consider picking a used server. For instance, even used and refurbished IBM Power10 servers can and will do a great job for your business because of their high reliability. Consider this when shopping for servers for your business’s needs.
Cloud solutions
These tools were developed both for and on the cloud, which enables them to connect to and integrate a wide variety of data sources by using APIs, Webhooks, or direct Database connections.
For instance, you can find cloud solutions that offer private hosting options. You have complete control over your virtual machine environment with a dedicated private cloud, plus you can utilize all of your flash storage and network resources.
This way, while avoiding expensive hardware upgrades and maintenance, it’s possible to achieve your compliance goals and make use of your own business software licensing.
You should also consider the safety aspect when choosing your cloud tech solution. For instance, a good provider will give you all-flash production storage, which will eliminate spinning disks. This, in turn, improves performance and reliability. Moreover, try to find a plan that includes data protection automatically.
ETL & data integration
Extract, transform, and load is a process that is used in computing to replicate data from many sources into a target system that reflects the data.
This process is referred to as ETL. On the other hand, the term data integration refers to the act of merging data from a number of different sources into a single destination.
You may, for instance, investigate the availability of a trustworthy cloud-based application that enables users to transport data from a variety of different sources into a single data warehouse, which then converts everything into information that is available for analysis.
Alternatively, you may go with a data pipeline that is completely managed and has pre-built connectors that have schemas ready for analysis while also automatically reacting to changes in the source.
It’s up to you to decide what fits your business needs best and select the right option in the field of ETL and data integration.
BI tools
Tools for business intelligence give you the ability to improve your strategic decision-making by transforming the most important data you have into meaningful business insights.
For example, Tableau is a market-leading business intelligence tool that enables users to rapidly design dashboards that can be shared with others and investigate data from virtually any system.
Ask Data, the company’s natural language processing tool, gives users the ability to ask for the information they seek without making use of any query language. Moreover, you can produce forecasts with lightning speed because of its forecasting tools.
Every single member of your team will have easier access to insights if the user interface (UI) they use is based on a drag-and-drop system. Last but not least, data visualizations have stunning aesthetics and are designed to assist in the communication of insights and the decision-making process.
Master data management tools
You can combine all of the business apps used across the whole company into a single file by using master data management tools. These tools are used in a variety of departments.
For instance, there is a program known as Profisee that is a great example of such a tool. It is a master data management system that assembles and distributes reliable and accurate information throughout an organization.
Without requiring even a single line of coding, it will clean, match, and standardize the source data. Additionally, it offers integration in both directions in real time.
Hevo is a Fully Automated, No-code Data Pipeline Platform that supports 150+ ready-to-use integrations across Databases, SaaS Applications, Cloud Storage, SDKs, and Streaming Services. Try Hevo 14-days free trial today and get your fully managed data pipelines up and running in just a few minutes.
Final words
In this article, you had the opportunity to see why companies need a sound data management strategy. Take a look at the different types of data management tools and their essential characteristics. Consider all the features you need and then decide which tools to use based on your needs.
Ingrid Maldine is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Ingrid’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Ingrid has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Ingrid has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
