In this blog, we will look at what is the usefulness of a modern data stack for the business intelligence of organizations and companies.
A lot of organizations today cannot avoid data. They collect data and try to draw conclusions from it. This is very useful, but often simply necessary. In a data-driven world, not only are we expected to do something with data: organizations and companies that do nothing or too little with it are left behind. The consequences can be profound.
De manier waarop gegevens vergaard, geanalyseerd en gepresenteerd worden kan een grote impact hebben. Aan de ene kant bepaald dat wat voor en hoeveel inzichten er uit de data gehaald kunnen worden. Meer informatie, maar vooral ook betere informatie, zorgt ervoor dat er binnen een organisatie succesvollere beslissingen kunnen worden genomen. Dat is wat datagedreven werken zo belangrijk maakt. Aan de andere kant bepaald deze inrichting ook hoeveel tijd medewerkers kunnen besteden aan welke dingen. Daarbij kan heel veel tijd (en geld) verloren gaan, of juist gewonnen worden. We zien bijvoorbeeld dat er binnen organisaties veel tijd wordt besteed aan verouderde systemen in de lucht houden. Het is jammer als in die tijd niet kan worden gewerkt aan nieuwe bedrijfsinzichten!
What is a data stack?
Met data stack bedoelen we hier de verzameling tools die nodig zijn om de business intelligence (BI) van een organisatie te voeren. We hebben het dan bijvoorbeeld over tools om data op te slaan, bewerken, visualiseren, analyseren, etc. Bij The Information Lab Netherlands hebben we specifieke ideeën over welke technologieën hier het meest geschikt voor zijn, maar de belangrijkste vraag daarbij blijft wat het beste bij een organisatie past. Het doel is het generen van inzichten en informatie voor de bedrijfsvoering. Daar gaat business intelligence over. Hoe dat het beste gedaan kan worden, verschilt per organisatie. Dat is ook afhankelijk van welke software al gebruikt wordt, welke kennis er in huis is en wat de informatiebehoeftes zijn.
A modern data stack
So the design of a data stack is different for each organization. That doesn't mean there aren't important guiding principles. First of all, we see the cloud taking an increasingly important position. That's also what modern in modern data stack mainly stands for. Moving to the cloud means more flexibility, wider availability and better scalability.
In addition, it is also important for an organization to have ownership of the data. This is not just about the data, but precisely how it is transformed and what resources are used in the process. It should always be clear what is being done and why. Ideally, this should include how the solutions have evolved over time. Equally important is that the data is collected in a central location and is accessible to everyone who needs to use it. Creating a single version of the truth is often one of the main reasons for implementing a modern data stack.
Furthermore, it is crucial to be able to collaborate well. The tools used must provide sufficient opportunities for this. This becomes increasingly important as an organization grows, but is also already essential in small teams. By the way, this does not only apply within a BI team. It is precisely the intention that other people within the organization also have access to the data and can extract insights from it themselves. In this regard, it helps if the tools enable broad data self-sufficiency.
What's the point?
Finally, a good, modern data stack is more than just the sum of its parts. When all the tools work well together, it creates something that can add tremendous value. Often, a data stack consists of several components. These must be good at what they are intended for, but most of all, they must combine smoothly with each other. This saves time and creates focus in the BI team that doesn't have to be busy with the technology, but with enabling business insights that move the organization forward!
Sometimes it's good to ask the following questions: are we getting enough insights from our data? Are we spending more time on technology than on gaining insights? Does our data stack form a working whole that gets information to the right people? These problems can hold an organization back. A modern data stack offers a way forward.
Want to know more?
Curious about how we can help implement a modern data stack? Then get in touch with us.
Bedankt voor het lezen van deze blog. Bekijk onze blog page voor meer blogs over Snowflake, dbt, Tableau en Alteryx.