These days, data is generated virtually every second—from social media posts and online shopping, to stock market trends and weather changes. All this information is transmitted in the blink of an eye, and smart businesses know better than to just let the opportunity to gain valuable insights from such data pass them by.
The way that traditional business technology systems and processes were built does not allow companies to cope with the massive deluge of information that continually streams from various sources. The tools for information gathering may be there, but it is the analysis that is key to making quick business decisions and to adapting to the changing business climate in terms of consumer preferences and buying trends.
Harnessing Real-Time Information
Data replication tools offer a great way to make good use of real-time information derived from things that are happening in the world at any given point in time. Instead of dealing directly with the data at its source, related aspects such as data logs are monitored for changes. These changes are then copied to other systems such as those for analytics, to come up with an accurate snapshot of a current situation or phenomenon.
Using this replicated information, companies can now then make the proper maneuvers or decisions about various aspects of business, such as demand, supply, customer service, and the like.
The insights gathered from real-time data replication are valuable for today’s businesses and organizations in so many ways. Here are just some of the practical aspects of why data replication is useful:
- Replicated data allows safe and optimum system testing. Without having to disrupt normal system operations, real-time data replication allows for troubleshooting and testing—whether it be trying out new applications or installing patches to solve kinks, bugs, and glitches. It also allows for thorough review of a system before actual live implementation, saving organizations from inconveniences or potential large-scale information disasters.
- Real-time data replication allows swift recovery and mitigation of data disasters. Speaking of information disasters, a business should never be caught flat-footed in such critical situations. Synchronized data spread across various databases helps ensure that vital information is immediately retrievable or replicable, in turn mitigating financial, operational, or reputational losses.
- Real-time data replication allows faster and more accurate reporting. Almost instantaneously, reports can be generated safely and accurately using a replicated remote database, while allowing the continuous, uninterrupted flow of incoming information in the main system. These reports can then be used for strategic and dynamic analysis and business planning.
- Replicated data boosts system performance. Online transaction processing operates at a high speed and massive volume. By replicating and creating a subset of data required to support such systems, they are kept fast and agile because they do not need to draw from the main production database, which is a potentially slower procedure.
Database replication is truly the name of the game if enterprises wish to succeed and stand against tough competition in their respective industries—from banking and utilities, to retail, manufacturing and shipping logistics. These are just some of the businesses that are putting real-data to good use in everyday operations.
Thanks to advancements in the Internet and mobile communications technology, the information gateway has been moving at almost warp-like speed, and companies need to be able to adapt with the same swiftness when it comes to understanding the market and responding to the forces that affect it.
By utilizing and maximizing the potential benefits of database replication tools and software, companies can lower down costs and system downtime in many ways. Data is new commodity, and they can avoid potential informational meltdowns by ensuring data is replicated and utilized properly.
