With 2017 on the horizon, the technology industry has been in transition over the past year. A new year is a chance for restrategizing and technological advancements. Cloud computing has helped revolutionize many companies over the past few years and with data being the core value of many companies, it has been a game changer. In order for your company to work more efficiently, we are going to look at what’s in store for the cloud in 2017 to maintain your balanced and productive business flow.

Hybrid Cloud Technology

More companies will start relying on a hybrid approach to the cloud that consists of on-premise data storage and cloud integration. Smaller companies will be able to easily migrate to the cloud fully with this method. For enterprise level businesses, adopting this method of on-site and off-site data storage requires buy-ins from across the organization.

As enterprises usually store the majority of their data on site and in company controlled servers, it’s not as quick of a transition like smaller businesses. While there are high upfront costs for big companies moving their data to the cloud, the hybrid cloud approach reduces costs and saves a significant amount of money in the long-run.

Shifting Toward Big Cloud Providers

With more companies shifting toward an all cloud solution and hybrid approach, companies like Amazon have been dominating the market for cloud platform services and will continue to gain momentum. They provide a platform that enables companies to incorporate a secure agile infrastructure, which allows companies the flexibility they require. Although some enterprises have dedicated their resources to launch their own private clouds, third party services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure have made it difficult to compete with them internally. Amazon is assisting those companies better manage their hybrid infrastructure with constant monitoring and cost management tools. Microsoft Azure is competitive in pricing and might be a more viable route for companies looking to save money.  Azure will continue to gain momentum in hybrid and container technologies in 2017.

According to Investopedia, “Cisco Systems Inc. will shut down its Intercloud Services public cloud by March of 2017.” With Amazon’s additional features, Cisco is not the only company it’s knocked out of the cloud race. Many large companies attempting their own private cloud servers come to realize the time and expense are outweighed by the ease and cost-effectiveness of using third-party providers. With the constant shift in the cloud industry, companies have adapted their strategies accordingly.

New Improvements in Cloud Security

With more companies adopting the cloud, security threats will continue to be a concern for organizations. With data growing in the cloud, hackers will be motivated to find new methods to breach service providers. Security as a Service (SECaaS) will become a larger factor and organizations will look to implement additional cloud security and monitoring. With many cloud platforms offering subscription based SECaaS, security services including intrusion detection and 24/7 monitoring reduce the burden on your IT team. Security will become an important differentiator when it comes to choosing service providers in 2017.

Conclusion

With big cloud providers like Amazon and Google, enterprises and organizations have been shifting toward a multi-platform strategy. Managing multiple cloud platforms is going to require enhanced monitoring and cost effective strategy.  If you or your company is switching to the cloud, there’s no need to throw away your server hard drives and equipment.  You can sell your used and new IT equipment to Big Data Supply, Inc. and will professionally erase the data.

Contact us today with your list of equipment and let’s get you started.

Big Data Supply, Inc.
According to Forbes contributor Lisa Arthur, big data isn’t anything to be afraid of – rather it is something that must be embraced.

She defines big data as, “A collection of data from traditional and digital sources inside and outside your company that represents a source for ongoing discovery and analysis.”

We happen to like this definition for a handful of reasons. Firstly, it isn’t anything to be afraid of – rather, it is simply all of the information and files that help define the meaning and value of an organization. Secondly, each and every organization has different types of data that make them tick (some digital and some non-digital). And finally, big data is there to help you decipher meaning and pave the way for a successful future.

There are two basic types of data – Unstructured and multi-structured.

Unstructured data is normally unorganized and quite difficult to interpret. In today’s world this includes things like metadata, social media posts, and Tweets.

On the other hand, multi-structured data is created when people and machines interact. This includes everything from text, to photos and videos, to web applications, and online business transactions.

If you’re just beginning to take inventory of your organization’s data and developing a roadmap for data storage success, it is important you:

1. Define your goals and gain a deep understanding as to what role your data.
2. Classify our data and decide what will be accessed regularly and what (if any data) can be stored offline.
3. Consider your bottom line and invest in a data storage infrastructure that makes the most sense financially.
4. Make sure you select the right mix of data storage technologies. For example, a growing number of organizations are using a strategic combination of disk, magnetic tape, and cloud storage.
5. Don’t forget that e-waste recycling is a massive problem. Get an education on best practices and technologies that exist for recycling and reuse.

While the concept of big data can be overwhelming, it is vital that we all embrace it. Make data your friend and develop an infrastructure that leads to higher levels of success and freedom.

Have questions about big data? We’d be happy to help steer you the right direction. Send us an email or drop us a call!

Contact us today: Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633

How to Organize an Enterprise Data System

Getting your data storage system installed and ready to use is only half the battle in the world of data management. According to technology expert Cliff Longman, it is essential that you look deeply into your business problems and seek to develop processes that will best serve your present and future.

The following are steps you can take to assure that you successfully manage your data:

• Set clear objectives. The more you understand what your data storage infrastructure was developed for in the first place, the better you can manage your data. Ask yourself questions like: How is the data we are storing going to benefit the organization? What data is the most important? How will we start the data storage process?

• Develop a business case. Gain an understanding of how your organization will benefit from the system and define its value in terms of operational efficiency, higher levels of business intelligence, and regulatory compliance. This will allow for a better understanding as to the value of the data being stored and the reasons behind developing the system in the first place. Also, it is valuable to understand the consequences of poor or lost data on the bottom line and service quality.

• Establish a governance process and rules. Prior to jumping into the data storage process, it is important to establish rules for maintaining data quality, efficiency, and consistency. There should never be a question as to who is responsible for making sure that data is being stored in the very best manner possible. Additionally, rules should be given to organizational member to assure they are benefiting the process.

• Inventory all data. Before adding massive amounts of data to your infrastructure, it is an excellent idea to conduct a full data inventory. This means not only discovering what types of data you own, it also means fully understanding how data is currently created, modified, and stored. The process will help you analyze what is currently working and what needs to change.

• Know who your business champions are. Identify key individuals throughout the organization across all departments who can help better the data storage process and define the steps that need to be taken to meet real-world needs. IT must have partners to make a true and lasting impact.

• Educate the organization. It is essential that you educate the organization on the importance of the data storage system and develop proper training. It is also a great idea to set up a knowledge base or forum that answers specific questions that may arise over time.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for all organizations, but it is important that you consider the big picture at all times.

Have questions about data storage technologies and organization methods?

Contact us today: Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633

cross