What’s one of the most common problems businesses experience when they implement new data replication solutions? In our experience in ITSM, we see one particular challenge appear time and again: how to manage the technical lags that interfere with performance.
Technical lags in replication manifest as (a) high bandwidth requirements for the chosen solution, (b) inefficiencies around source data removal, and (c) the overly-complex practice of using separate tools for replication and archiving. Fortunately, easy workarounds for these roadblocks exist, which we describe below.
The Problem With Data
Data storage is a common challenge for businesses. It’s a moving target that’s difficult to hit, and it changes constantly. As the business grows, commensurate increases in business data require business owners to constantly re-evaluate how they manage their information, with substantial amounts of value on the line.
"The amount of digital data created over the next five years will be greater than twice the amount of data created since the advent of digital storage,” notes Dave Reinsel, senior vice president of IDC's Global DataSphere. “The question is: How much of it should be stored?”
Data management questions are not easy to answer. Even with replication and archiving tools in tow, there’s a lot of foot-dragging around the concept of replication strategy. Those sensitive to change may cite the increased time and attention that internal teams must apply to the new solution, as well as the increased complexity and network traffic they bring.
Our answer to this boils down to a simple question: How much money do you lose through high storage and processing costs because you have redundant data across multiple locations?
Addressing Data Replication Technical Lags
In our time implementing data replication and archiving tools, we’ve found that the above technical lags can be addressed with ease if you choose the right ITSM implementation partner. At Precision Bridge, we’ve developed standardized processes to address each of these technical lags in turn. To return to our above challenges:
The technical lag of high bandwidth replications can be subverted with one easy change: Apply a solution that replicates deltas and nothing more. By duplicating only data that has been modified since the last replication, businesses limit bandwidth usage and ensure that their tables remain accurate.
To ensure always-accurate source data, we suggest that users select a replication tool that offers the option to perform safety checks that guarantee only replicated data is removed from the source.
For the technical challenge of coordinating both replication and archiving, we offer, perhaps, the simplest solution of all: Choose a tool that allows both within the same platform. With a single tool for both, the platforms stay synchronized, support each other, and provide a better user experience across the board.
While these three roadblocks encompass the most common problems we have seen in replication projects, they’re by no means the only problems you may encounter. Data storage is an ongoing challenge, and if you are not sure of the best way forward, you are not alone. Let Precision Bridge help you with the details and deploy a replication solution that cuts costs. Contact our team to learn more about what we can do.
