The Data Platform Revolution: Optimizing Hybrid Cloud

The modern business landscape is awash in data. From customer interactions to internal operations, every click, transaction, and process generates more data with potential valuable insights waiting to be harnessed. But this data deluge creates a new challenge: how to unify, manage, and leverage it effectively, especially in the context of today's complex hybrid cloud environments.

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Rise of the Data Platform for Hybrid Cloud

The Silo Problem and the Rise of the Data Platform

Traditionally, organizations have stored data in siloed systems, hindering comprehensive analysis and collaboration. This fragmented approach becomes particularly problematic for initiatives such as digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI).

Enter the data platform. A data platform is an integrated set of technologies that meets an organization's data needs, enabling storage and delivery of data, the governance of data, and the security of data for a business.

By acting as a central hub, a data platform seamlessly integrates data from diverse sources and locations, regardless of format. This dismantles data silos, fostering a unified data ecosystem that empowers organizations to:

• Break down barriers and gain a holistic view: Analyze data comprehensively across the entire organization, fostering collaboration and informed decision-making.
• Simplify data management: Streamline data governance, access control, and security measures, reducing complexity and improving operational efficiency.
• Enhance data security and compliance: Centralized security controls and consistent policies minimize vulnerabilities and ensure data integrity, promoting trust and compliance.

The Symbiotic Power of Hybrid Cloud and Data Platforms

The benefits of data platforms extend beyond internal IT improvements. A data platform in a hybrid cloud environment unlocks the full potential of AI and fosters a secure, scalable foundation for data management and AI development. This empowers organizations to:

• Innovate faster: Streamlines data access empowers data scientists and business analysts to innovate faster and deliver AI-powered solutions that revolutionize products, services, and customer experiences.
• Drive business growth: AI-powered insights unlock new opportunities for revenue generation, cost reduction, and competitive advantage.

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Optimizing Hybrid Cloud Environments with Storage as a Service

Sustainability – A Hidden Benefit of Modern Data Infrastructure

The environmental impact of data storage is a growing concern. Data centers in North America alone contribute CO2 emissions equivalent to Mexico's entire country. Modern data platforms, with their focus on efficiency and consolidation, can help organizations reduce their data storage footprint and contribute to sustainable business practices.

Furthermore, with increasing regulation around sustainability reporting, organizations need to track and reduce their data-related emissions. Data platforms empower them to do just that, promoting accountability and transparency.

Generative AI: The Next Frontier and the Role of Data Platforms

Generative AI, a rapidly evolving field, holds immense potential to transform businesses. A recent Enterprise Strategy Group survey revealed that generative AI is a top five priority for 97% of organizations that have already begun using it. They see it as a tool for improving data processes, supporting analytics, and boosting employee productivity and operational efficiency.

However, to unlock the true potential of generative AI, organizations need a robust data storage infrastructure. As Scott Sinclair, Practice Director at Enterprise Strategy Group, highlights, "If I'm trying to leverage generative AI in multiple aspects of my company, then I'm going to need a data solution that's scalable and that gives me flexibility."

Read Our Insights Article:

Hybrid Cloud and the Rise of the Unified Data Ecosystem

Data Security Tops Lists AI Concerns

Security remains the top roadblock for organizations working with generative AI, according to the survey. Data quality is another significant concern, with data professionals expressing a stronger agreement (40%) than IT professionals (29%) on the need to address these issues before fully trusting generative AI outputs.

A data platform provides the flexibility and scalability needed for generative AI initiatives. They simplify data management, improve data quality, and address security concerns through centralized controls. This frees up resources for innovation and ensures the trustworthiness of AI models.

In a world of constant disruption, a flexible data platform allows organizations to adapt to unforeseen opportunities and leverage “the next big thing” in AI, whatever it may be. The ESG survey also found that organizations are adopting a multi-vendor approach, using an average of 2.9 storage vendors for GenAI, and increasingly combining internal and external data sources (84%) to fuel their generative AI initiatives.

Data as Competitive Advantage in the Age of AI

The call to action is clear: Organizations that embrace data platforms as the foundation for their hybrid cloud environments are best positioned to thrive in the age of AI. By unlocking the power of their data, they can drive innovation, achieve operational excellence, and secure a competitive advantage in the years to come.

To learn more about the benefits of data platforms, explore this insightful article for which I was honored to be interviewed along with other industry analysts: [Link to MITTR Article: The Rise of the Data Platform Across Hybrid Cloud].

Additional Resources

• BLOG: Hitachi Vantara Revolutionizes Midrange Storage with Virtual Storage Platform One Block Storage Appliances
• VIDEO: Virtual Storage Platform One Block Storage Appliances Explainer
• INSIGHTS ARTICLE: Hybrid Cloud Emerges as Key to Unlocking the Power of Generative AI
  
• LANDING PAGE: MIT Analyst Content