At SingleStore, we see an in-memory, distributed approach to big data as the path forward to cost-effective deployments. Recently, Gartner released a report titled “Five Data Persistence Dilemmas That Will Keep CIOs Up at Night”, which reinforces this approach to data management.
The report outlines three key impacts of utilizing new technologies across HTAP, or Hybrid Transaction/Analytical Processing, for in-memory processing, the compromises of NoSQL DBMSs, and the growing importance of agile cloud computing approaches.
Key Impacts from the Gartner Report
The convergence of transaction and analytic database systems in hybrid transaction/analytical processing (HTAP) systems that use in-memory processing reduces the need for separate dedicated environments and shortens the time to value for new data, but it requires IT Leaders to make process compromises and changes to applications to maximize ROI.
NoSQL DBMSs compromise a priori data models and strong levels of consistency to offer IT leaders high-throughput operations and scale-out architectures.
Agile deployment approaches like cloud computing will present new opportunities that IT leaders and line-of-business heads must seize.
The CIO Dilemmas
The five dilemmas covered in the report generate a number of questions that CIOs must ask with any new database technology. We receive these questions daily from customers seeking to maximize opportunities with HTAP, scalable SQL databases, and flexible cloud deployments.
The Single-Database Dilemma
For decades, data processing has been split into databases for Online Transaction Processing and data warehouses for Online Analytical Processing. HTAP, largely enabled by in-memory computing, collapses the single database model and allows for the definition of new classes of applications, like those that fuse real-time and historical analysis.
The HTAP Adoption Dilemma
Moving from split OLTP and OLAP to converged HTAP requires thorough cost and capacity planning that does not happen overnight. Fully realizing the benefits of HTAP means transactions and analytics are easily integrated with existing or net new applications. HTAP results in less precomputation and more real-time queries.
The Consistency Dilemma
NoSQL databases gave up traditional consistency, and abandoned SQL, to achieve scalability. Fortunately, you can have scalability, performance, simplicity and SQL with an in-memory database like SingleStore.
The Schema Dilemma
You can define your structure up front, or define it later. However, multi-model databases like SingleStore support structured SQL and semi-structured data types like JSON, so you get the best of both worlds.
The Cloud Dilemma
While some database offerings restrict deployment choice, SingleStore can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud.
Try HTAP, Scalable SQL, and Cloud Databases Today
If you would like a hands-on look at HTAP, scalable SQL, and cloud deployments with in-memory databases, try SingleStore Community Edition, available for free with unlimited capacity and scale. If you would like support or high availability features, try SingleStore Enterprise Edition free for 30 days.
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