02
Sat, Nov
2 New Articles

Data Access in a Big Data World

Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Get beyond the hype and conquer your IBM i data.

 

Written by SEQUEL Software, a division of Help/Systems

Editor's note: This article introduces the white paper "Data Access in a Big Data World" available for download free from the MC White Paper Center.

 

With organizations collecting more customer, transactional, and relational data than ever, data volumes are expanding past their system's processing capacity. But big data doesn't have to be alarming. In this white paper, learn:

  • Why big data matters
  • The three Vs of big data: Volume, velocity, and variety
  • How to build a conquering strategy
  • The keys to solving the IBM i partitioning paradox
  • What tool you need to go beyond the fear and hype of big data

 

Organizations have started to explore what they can do with their volumes of data, which has led to an intense interest in big data technology. Before investing in new solutions, it is critical to understand the scope of information growth, the challenges associated with big data access and analysis, and how to overcome those issues.

 

In 2005, the International Data Corporation (IDC) estimated the total volume of enterprise data at 130 exabytes. That number is on pace to double every two years, reaching 40,000 exabytes by 2020. Because traditional databases were not equipped to handle that volume, big data emerged as both a problem and a solution. On one hand, pulling together large volumes of information from numerous platforms and systems can offer more comprehensive insight not afforded by traditional analytics. On the other, big data, by definition, has such a large volume that legacy databases and software don't have the necessary architecture or functionality to deliver data quickly and effectively.

 

"Data at scale" is a popular data management practice for growing volumes on IBM i. Unfortunately, it creates a partitioning paradox. In dealing with rapidly escalating volumes, IBM i operators use table (or range) partitioning. This allows IT to break files into multiple components. Up to 32,767 data partitions can be created on IBM i, making it a viable option for breaking through capacity constraints.

 

However, legacy software such as Query/400 allows access to only one partition member at a time. In a big data environment, IT departments likely need to draw on information from several members, which would require several queries. The issue of volume is not isolated to IBM i, as it can also create demand for new storage hardware and make processing tasks more resource-intensive.

 

Solutions are available for the sole purpose of managing big data. However, big data initiatives need to address the core issues associated with the technology:

               • Volume of information

               • Speed at which it must be accessed

               • Wide range of data types and sources

Big Interest in Big Data Analytics

While big data creates challenges for IT professionals and business users, many decision-makers believe it's worth it. For instance, IDC's "Big Data, Analytics, and Cloud Drive Enterprise Software Growth in 2012" report attributed much of the revenue growth of the application develop­ment and deployment (AD&D) market to enterprise interest in analytics. Considering that AD&D accounted for 24 percent of all software revenue in 2012, the big data sector has definitely benefited from healthy investment.

 

It's important to adopt business processes and technology solutions that streamline collection and data management activities because organizations can gain significant value from overcoming the obstacles of using big data technology effectively.

 

Gartner revealed that much of the pressure to adopt analytics solutions comes from the data center, with 42 percent of IT leaders already benefiting from big data deployments or planning to invest in the technology within a year. In fact, according to Gartner, one of the most prominent concerns among adopters is that their deployments have come too late, putting them behind the competition.

Big Data Challenges: The Three Vs

The defining attributes of big data—volume, variety, and velocity—make it challenging to deal with. The amount of data entering business technology ecosystems is more than what traditional technology solutions were meant to deal with, and it's only getting larger. In InformationWeek's "2013 State of Storage Survey," the percentage of respondents managing 100 terabytes of data or more nearly doubled between 2009 and 2012.

 

The exploding data volume issue is further complicated by the fact that information is coming in from a greater variety of sources. For IT managers, this means data must be collected from numerous systems that may be running different platforms.

 

When it comes to data variety, a large portion of data in enterprise IT systems today is considered unstructured, adding another layer of complexity to the problem. This type of information does not have a defined data model and does not fit well into traditional relational databases. Con­sidering that researchers from Dataversity estimate between 40 and 80 percent of enterprise information is unstructured, it is essential to ensure that this information can be effectively categorized and searched.

 

The final V of big data—velocity—means that companies must be able to find and use critical information quickly. The value of any given data diminishes over time. For example, an IT employee looking at the number of scheduled jobs completed on time would benefit from know­ing which ones failed sooner rather than later; the same concept applies to data analytics initiatives whether they deal with large or small amounts of information.

Want to Know More?

Download the free white paper "Data Access in a Big Data World" from the MC White Paper Center.

 

0 0

The realm of cybersecurity and automation is always changing, and we’re evolving right alongside it. Say hello to Fortra, the new face of HelpSystems. We’re bringing you the same people-first support you’ve come to expect from HelpSystems, only now we’ve been Fortra-fied with the purpose of providing you with exceptional protection and peace of mind along every step of your journey. 

Our team of expert problem solvers is ready to find answers to your organization’s toughest problems, and our best-in-class portfolio ensures that we’ll land on an integrated, scalable solution that’s right for you. 

We’re tenacious in our pursuit of a stronger, simpler future for cybersecurity. 

Who’s with us?

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: