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The Database Dating Game
Take this database dating quiz to see which management tool is the perfect match for your organization.
Industry Perspectives
July 14, 2015
3 Min Read
Ken Krupa is the Enterprise CTO for MarkLogic.
Looking for the perfect data match? Depends on your likes and dislikes, of course, as well as your data needs. Data dating today is much more complicated than when it was during the time when there were just two options: mainframes and relational databases. And in this era, the stakes are higher.
It’s always been true that data is only as valuable as what you can learn from it. The problem today is its rapid growth: Between 2011-2013 90 percent of the world’s data was created, and that was two years ago. Companies are still trying to reign in this ever-increasing data sprawl, let alone analyze it. And once they have captured this data, organizations then need to manage increasingly unique data types like video and text.
Data is the new competitive weapon for companies today, but to make the most out of it, organizations need a powerful partner to meet their unique and individual needs. Numerous available options make this complicated, so take this database dating quiz to find your optimal data partner:
Potential Match #1: Relational Database
A relational database is tried and true, possibly loyal to a fault and steady as a drumbeat…mostly. It may become a hard habit to break and eventually cost you mentally, physically and fiscally. Here are some character traits of relational databases if you consider these as the best fit for your organization.
Plays matchmaker to tables, connecting them for more efficient and fast searching.
Is the bouncer at the bar, the macho type that typically offers among the strongest levels of security.
Very neat and ordered as all data fits neatly into rows and columns.
Like a warm security blanket, this match is experienced and comforting.
You have money because this is an expensive date.
Lastly, you may already be invested in this long-term relationship and hesitant to venture into the dating data game.
If all of the above is true, then the relational database is for you.
Potential Match #2: Open Source NoSQL
Do you like peace, love and openness? A free, idea-sharing architecture where anyone and everyone can contribute to the greater good? Then take a look at some typical traits of open source NoSQL databases:
Affordable scalability. Most open source NoSQL databases run on commodity hardware that can easily be added to increase resources and reduce the load.
Schema-agnostic for a very open and flexible relationship.
Cheap date, as features such as automatic repair and simple data models make administration and tuning requirements fewer in NoSQL.
Hit a bump in your relationship? There is no specific IT therapist: You need to look to the community for help.
Potential Match #3: Enterprise NoSQL
Are you looking for someone who is strong, smart, has a great memory and is open to new ideas? However, if you change your mind, this person is so adaptable and flexible, he/she can work with your desires in seconds if not in real-time. This may be the perfect match.
A focus on ACID transactions versus the typical Brewers CAP theorem found in NoSQL.
Application and business flexibility as data and models can be changed quickly and easily, with no disruption to the application.
Low server cost and scalability as Enterprise NoSQL runs on commodity servers.
Flexibility accompanied with enterprise-proven features like high availability, security and disaster recovery.
Data-driven features such as search, semantics and bitemporal.
Finding the perfect data mate can be a confusing process with so many options out there. Take this test and find your match made in IT heaven.
Industry Perspectives is a content channel at Data Center Knowledge highlighting thought leadership in the data center arena. See our guidelines and submission process for information on participating. View previously published Industry Perspectives in our Knowledge Library.
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