Big data and Cloud computing: integrated strategies for business success

We are inundated with data. The amount of digital information—created or replicated—multiplies with the use of devices and the adoption of technologies. 

Just to understand the magnitude: from 2010 to 2020, the world went from two zettabytes in 2010 to 64 zettabytes in 2020, and the most conservative projection, according to Statista, points to exceeding 180 zettabytes in 2025. This represents an average annual growth of nearly 40% in five years. What does it say, where is it heading, and what insights should we be developing with this information? 

Technological developments increase, data increases 

The gradual introduction of IoT (Internet of Things), the development and adoption of 5G, and the daily use of social networks represent a sustained—and developing—increase in the generation, use, and storage of data. 

Therefore, the risk that data creation and replication would grow at a faster rate than the installed storage capacity was a serious concern in the industry, but with the synergy of big data and cloud computing, a horizon capable of ensuring data availability and optimization opened up. 

A solution, like a gift from Heaven 

Wasting data due to lack of performance or computing capabilities is unacceptable because with the loss of data, business opportunities and strategic intelligence are lost. 

Thus, when engineers saw the intersection between big data and cloud computing, they found potential for the storage, processing, and analysis of large volumes of data. 

It is no wonder that players like Amazon, Netflix, Apple, Coca Cola, and Starbucks adopted big data to guide their decision-making based on information, with the opportunity to discover consumption patterns and anticipate market trends. 

Why do we talk about a strategic asset? 

Where would such an amount of information be stored? The data warehouse represents a strategic asset in any cloud big data strategy. This storage infrastructure was designed to store large amounts of data from various sources in a structured and accessible format for analysis. Thus, in the context of cloud operations, a data warehouse relies on the scalability and flexibility offered by the cloud computing environment. 

Another critical benefit of this data management system is that organizations can increase their storage capacity according to the company’s strategic and operational horizon without the need for large investments in hardware. 

Additionally, the cloud provides an ideal platform for implementing advanced data analysis solutions, enabling the agile extraction of information from their data. 

The value of integrating big data and cloud computing lies in the synergy of data storage and processing to generate business value.

There is another fundamental element in the relationship between big data and cloud computing: the cloud computing process. As companies generate and accumulate immense amounts of data, the need for more advanced computational resources to process and analyze this information effectively becomes evident. 

Cloud computing provides access to a wide range of on-demand computing resources, allowing companies to scale their processing capabilities according to their demands and carry out complex big data analyses efficiently. 

But the story doesn’t end here. The cloud offers specialized tools and services designed for big data processing and analysis, drastically simplifying and speeding up the analysis process. 

How to integrate Big data and Cloud computing into your Company? 

Now that you find business sense and strategic value in the synergy between big data and cloud computing, it is natural to wonder how to make it a reality in your company. 

First, you need to clearly define the short- and long-term goals your company pursues and then validate how these technologies can help achieve them. Some of these goals may include finding business insights you didn’t have before, improving internal processes, or implementing a plan to enhance the customer experience. 

After this, you should select a cloud service provider that aligns with your expectations of security, scalability, and compatibility with the analytical tools you have. 

Once you have this, you should create a training plan for your team to master the skills needed to handle these technologies. This usually goes hand in hand with outlining and implementing a data governance strategy to ensure the quality and security of your information. 

These changes you are implementing not only aim to have new competitive tools but also represent a genuine transformation of processes and business mindset. Therefore, consider implementing an induction to a data-oriented organizational culture, which will boost innovation and growth in your company. 

Ikusi is a leading digital transformation company that guides, accompanies, and ensures that organizations maximize the potential of their integrations between big data and cloud computing.