Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
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®
Strategic IT Survey Results:
Data Management Introduction
This report is based on the findings of an online survey to determine the ongoing challenges and strategies of organizations attempting to tame the relatively recent rise of so-called “big data.” In addition to gaining a better understanding of the importance and prevalence of data management strategies, the survey also measured the factors that are currently driving data management strategies as well as the real and perceived barriers that prevent organizations from implementing more advanced data services to better serve their business. Perhaps the best way to understand and solve a problem is to learn from others in similar situations and there are a very large number of organizations — both large and small — which are grappling with these same issues. To that end, was to find out exactly how organizations of all types and sizes are managing data as well as what’s most important to them not only today but also in the future. What we found is that most organizations understand how important data management is but also struggle to overcome challenges such as capacity, performance, and real-time access. In fact, meeting real-time business needs such as operational analysis and reporting is the most important factor driving data management strategy for more than a quarter of survey responses. Also, respondents also indicated a rising need for integrated data management platforms, possibly as a way to improve real time decision making which was also viewed as important in a majority of responses. The following is a complete overview of the results as well as commentary from the Ziff Davis Strategic IT Survey on Data Management.
ziffdavis.com
Page 1 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
When asked “How important is data management in your organization,” not surprisingly, 95% indicate that data management is at least “Important” (30%) and nearly two thirds say data management is “Critical” (65%). Based on the rise in data from a growing number of systems and sources, data management is essential for organizations of all types and sizes. More importantly, data management will undoubtedly become even more important as volumes of data continue to grow and organizations rely even more heavily on data reporting and analytics.
ziffdavis.com
Page 2 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
Despite the number of respondents who listed “data management” as “Important” or “critical,” less than half (49%) actually have a data management strategy. Even if you dismiss those who indicated that a data management strategy is “Under consideration” at their organization (25%) or they “Just don’t know” if they have a data management strategy (6%), that still leaves two out of ten people (20%) who say their organization does not have a data management strategy Data management strategies are absolutely necessary as information becomes an increasingly important business asset. This particular data is a strong indication that many organizations are not paying enough attention to how they acquire, maintain, distribute, consume, and secure their information.
ziffdavis.com
Page 3 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
Data management is extremely challenging for many good reasons and not surprisingly responses to “What are your greatest challenges in terms of data management” we relatively equally distributed. “Performance” is a challenge for nearly a quarter of those who answered (24%) followed closely by “System capacity” (22%) and “Reporting” (21%). Performance, capacity, and reporting are clearly the core concerns and perhaps rightfully so. These three challenges may in fact be the basis for a comprehensive data management strategy. All three provide a good starting point for preliminary investigation into the issue of network infrastructure and whether a particular organization is prepared to manage and leverage its data more strategically.
ziffdavis.com
Page 4 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Real-time data analysis and reporting” (27%) and “Application and technology consolidation” (26%) are clearly high priorities in term of developing a data management strategy. In other words, these are problems that organizations are trying to solve with their data management strategies as opposed to actual data management challenges. It is worth noting that both “Real-time data analysis and reporting” and “Application and technology consolidation” may in fact be dependent on the other three priorities (Storage and hardware optimization, Platform integration, Mobile applications and accessibility) which were chosen by fewer respondents. In most if not all cases, all five of the priorities listed in this survey are equal parts of a strong data management strategy.
ziffdavis.com
Page 5 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Real-time business needs” emerged as the top choice (26%) for those who answered the question, “What are the most important factors driving your data management strategy?” “Large volumes of information” (20%) and “Application integration” (20%) also captured a lot of votes which makes good sense because making decisions based on real-time business requires both large volumes of information and deep application integration. Furthermore, application integration will inherently help in the effort toward “Streamlining information technology” (18%) and perhaps the most “Advanced user requirement” (16%) is the ability to address Real-time business needs with right-time decision making. There is no one thing driving data management strategy which is highly situational based on the size and type of organization. However, addressing real-time business needs is certainly a valid top consideration.
ziffdavis.com
Page 6 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
When asked “How important is an integrated software platform to the overall data management needs of your organization?” the vast majority of respondents answered “Important” (51%) or even “Critical” (31%). Even among those who do not feel that an integrated software platform is important, those who are “Neutral” (10%), “I don’t know” (6%), and “Not important” (2%) likely don’t know enough about the concept or it simply doesn’t make sense for their particular type of organization depending on a large number of factors and variables. Overall, integrated software platforms are becoming more important to the secure, reliable, and efficient management of all types of data. Integrated software leads to integrated data which should be easier to manage
ziffdavis.com
Page 7 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Operational insight and decision making” (23%) is the business need most often provided when asked “Which of the following business needs in your organization would benefit from an integrated data management platform?” However, all business needs were also cited as potentially benefiting from an integrated platform with “Productive analysis and forecasting” and “Cost management and reporting” each selected by 20% of the respondents as well as “Strategic management and profitability” even higher at 21%. While “Financial planning and consolidation” (16%) was chosen less often, it may be more a matter of form over function. Arguably, financial software falls into a category in which data is managed differently than any of the other business needs identified for this survey and integration may not necessarily be viewed as beneficial.
ziffdavis.com
Page 8 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Efficiency” (29%) and “Performance” (24%) stand out when survey respondents were asked “Which of the following IT needs in your organization would benefit from an integrated data management platform?” “Scalability” (17%) was the third most-often chosen benefit with “Consolidation” and “Innovation” following at 15% each. Efficiency and performance are not only important benefits of integrated data management but also the primary priorities of any successful data management strategy. Other business benefits will likely follow if an organization can achieve the level of efficiency and performance that is possible with an integrated data management strategy and the right integrated data management platform.
ziffdavis.com
Page 9 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Lack of standardized processes” (31%) was chosen most often when it comes to the question of “What are the greatest data management challenges in your organization?” “Lack of strict governance” (23%) is also a top concern with “Legacy systems from different vendors (20%), “Heterogeneous environment” (18%), and “Inherited systems from mergers and acquisitions” (8%) rounding out the responses. Heterogeneous, legacy, and inherited systems are specialized problems that primarily apply to very specific situations in which general change management is the more acute and therefore more primary challenge. However, the lack of standardized processes and lack of strict governance are challenges felt by most if not all organizations and therefore make sense as the most often chosen challenges for this survey.
ziffdavis.com
Page 10 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Maximize useful data” (32%) is by far most important when asked “What are your goals in terms of data platform integration and optimization?” Far behind was “Focus business efforts (20%), “Increase storage efficiency and performance” (19%), “Improve existing database resources” (16%), and “Optimize database investments” (13%). Too many people, perhaps, are overlooking the value of the ability for platform integration to optimized database investments which was the least chosen response in this survey. Looked at from another angle, the optimization of database investments would arguably encompass all other goals in this category. In other words, an optimized database would focus business efforts by maximizing useful data, increasing storage efficiency and performance, and improving existing database resources.
ziffdavis.com
Page 11 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“How important is the need for real-time data in your organization?” “Important” (45%) to “Critical” (38%) according to those who responded to this survey. The remainder responded “Neutral” (12%), “Not important” (2%), or “I don’t know” (3%). Real-time data empowers right-time decision making which is paramount in a more competitive market. Real-time data, especially when it is integrated with a wide variety of sources, can be an extremely powerful business benefit that provides the foundation of greater efficiency, productivity, and performance.
ziffdavis.com
Page 12 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Accelerating decision making” (33%) is clearly most important when it comes to the question of “What is driving the need for real-time data in your organization?” “Organizational accountability” (25%) was the next most often chosen answer. “Prioritizing requirements” (19%) as followed closely by “Aligning priorities” (17%) and another 6% indicated that this question was “Not appcable.” Real-time data provides an accurate view of what is happening in the business right now. It therefore makes sense that so many would identify decision making and accountability as their top drivers for real-time data since both are exceedingly dependent on timely and accurate information. Furthermore, prioritizing and aligning are generally viewed as strategic whereas real-time data is perhaps most useful when it is tactical such as the case for making decisions and measuring performance.
ziffdavis.com
Page 13 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Budget” (27%), “Prioritization” (24%), and “Expertise” (22%) were all chosen quite often by those who were asked “What is currently preventing your IT department from delivering real-time data to the rest of your organization?” “Education” (11%) and “Personnel” (16%) are apparently less of a challenge. Budget is a universal barrier when it comes to business and IT decision making and a fundamental reality that requires discipline and commitment to overcome and therefore not surprising was the top choice. However, when a project such as delivering real-time data is properly prioritized (the second largest number of responses) then the budget becomes less of a challenge. What’s most interesting here is the issue of expertise as a barrier to the delivery of real-time data to the rest of the organization. In reality, a comprehensive data management strategy that includes real-time data does require some additional expertise beyond that which is needed for setting goals, prioritizing objectives, and taking action. However, for most, the investment in people and technologies will almost certainly pay off for the business in terms of smarter and more informed decision making.
ziffdavis.com
Page 14 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
Conclusion Based on the results of this online survey, data management is clearly an increasingly important consideration for business and IT decision makers. Data management strategies are clearly driven by the need for accelerated decision making and accountability while the barriers appear to be education and expertise. Respondents also appear to be concerned about the growing volume of information from a multitude of sources which would explain the majority who also stress the need for an integrated data management platform. Add to that the need for storage, increasingly advanced analytics and real-time access (to name just a few) and it’s easy to see how data management may very well be the new cornerstone of IT services. According to this survey, the goals most often cited for a comprehensive data management strategy are to maximize useful data and focus business efforts. Perhaps illuminating the challenges and opportunities in your own organization will provide some fresh insight for future data management strategies and investment.
About Ziff Davis Ziff Davis, Inc. is a leading digital media company specializing in the technology market, reaching over 40 million highly engaged in-market buyers and influencers every month. Ziff Davis sites, which feature trusted and comprehensive evaluations of the newest, hottest products, and the most advanced ad targeting platform. Ziff Davis B2B is a leading provider of online research to enterprise buyers and high-quality leads to IT vendors. More information on Ziff Davis can be found at ziffdavis.com.
ziffdavis.com | Copyright 2012 Ziff Davis, Inc. | v110512
Page 15 of 15
®
Strategic IT Survey Results:
Data Management Introduction
This report is based on the findings of an online survey to determine the ongoing challenges and strategies of organizations attempting to tame the relatively recent rise of so-called “big data.” In addition to gaining a better understanding of the importance and prevalence of data management strategies, the survey also measured the factors that are currently driving data management strategies as well as the real and perceived barriers that prevent organizations from implementing more advanced data services to better serve their business. Perhaps the best way to understand and solve a problem is to learn from others in similar situations and there are a very large number of organizations — both large and small — which are grappling with these same issues. To that end, was to find out exactly how organizations of all types and sizes are managing data as well as what’s most important to them not only today but also in the future. What we found is that most organizations understand how important data management is but also struggle to overcome challenges such as capacity, performance, and real-time access. In fact, meeting real-time business needs such as operational analysis and reporting is the most important factor driving data management strategy for more than a quarter of survey responses. Also, respondents also indicated a rising need for integrated data management platforms, possibly as a way to improve real time decision making which was also viewed as important in a majority of responses. The following is a complete overview of the results as well as commentary from the Ziff Davis Strategic IT Survey on Data Management.
ziffdavis.com
Page 1 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
When asked “How important is data management in your organization,” not surprisingly, 95% indicate that data management is at least “Important” (30%) and nearly two thirds say data management is “Critical” (65%). Based on the rise in data from a growing number of systems and sources, data management is essential for organizations of all types and sizes. More importantly, data management will undoubtedly become even more important as volumes of data continue to grow and organizations rely even more heavily on data reporting and analytics.
ziffdavis.com
Page 2 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
Despite the number of respondents who listed “data management” as “Important” or “critical,” less than half (49%) actually have a data management strategy. Even if you dismiss those who indicated that a data management strategy is “Under consideration” at their organization (25%) or they “Just don’t know” if they have a data management strategy (6%), that still leaves two out of ten people (20%) who say their organization does not have a data management strategy Data management strategies are absolutely necessary as information becomes an increasingly important business asset. This particular data is a strong indication that many organizations are not paying enough attention to how they acquire, maintain, distribute, consume, and secure their information.
ziffdavis.com
Page 3 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
Data management is extremely challenging for many good reasons and not surprisingly responses to “What are your greatest challenges in terms of data management” we relatively equally distributed. “Performance” is a challenge for nearly a quarter of those who answered (24%) followed closely by “System capacity” (22%) and “Reporting” (21%). Performance, capacity, and reporting are clearly the core concerns and perhaps rightfully so. These three challenges may in fact be the basis for a comprehensive data management strategy. All three provide a good starting point for preliminary investigation into the issue of network infrastructure and whether a particular organization is prepared to manage and leverage its data more strategically.
ziffdavis.com
Page 4 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Real-time data analysis and reporting” (27%) and “Application and technology consolidation” (26%) are clearly high priorities in term of developing a data management strategy. In other words, these are problems that organizations are trying to solve with their data management strategies as opposed to actual data management challenges. It is worth noting that both “Real-time data analysis and reporting” and “Application and technology consolidation” may in fact be dependent on the other three priorities (Storage and hardware optimization, Platform integration, Mobile applications and accessibility) which were chosen by fewer respondents. In most if not all cases, all five of the priorities listed in this survey are equal parts of a strong data management strategy.
ziffdavis.com
Page 5 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Real-time business needs” emerged as the top choice (26%) for those who answered the question, “What are the most important factors driving your data management strategy?” “Large volumes of information” (20%) and “Application integration” (20%) also captured a lot of votes which makes good sense because making decisions based on real-time business requires both large volumes of information and deep application integration. Furthermore, application integration will inherently help in the effort toward “Streamlining information technology” (18%) and perhaps the most “Advanced user requirement” (16%) is the ability to address Real-time business needs with right-time decision making. There is no one thing driving data management strategy which is highly situational based on the size and type of organization. However, addressing real-time business needs is certainly a valid top consideration.
ziffdavis.com
Page 6 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
When asked “How important is an integrated software platform to the overall data management needs of your organization?” the vast majority of respondents answered “Important” (51%) or even “Critical” (31%). Even among those who do not feel that an integrated software platform is important, those who are “Neutral” (10%), “I don’t know” (6%), and “Not important” (2%) likely don’t know enough about the concept or it simply doesn’t make sense for their particular type of organization depending on a large number of factors and variables. Overall, integrated software platforms are becoming more important to the secure, reliable, and efficient management of all types of data. Integrated software leads to integrated data which should be easier to manage
ziffdavis.com
Page 7 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Operational insight and decision making” (23%) is the business need most often provided when asked “Which of the following business needs in your organization would benefit from an integrated data management platform?” However, all business needs were also cited as potentially benefiting from an integrated platform with “Productive analysis and forecasting” and “Cost management and reporting” each selected by 20% of the respondents as well as “Strategic management and profitability” even higher at 21%. While “Financial planning and consolidation” (16%) was chosen less often, it may be more a matter of form over function. Arguably, financial software falls into a category in which data is managed differently than any of the other business needs identified for this survey and integration may not necessarily be viewed as beneficial.
ziffdavis.com
Page 8 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Efficiency” (29%) and “Performance” (24%) stand out when survey respondents were asked “Which of the following IT needs in your organization would benefit from an integrated data management platform?” “Scalability” (17%) was the third most-often chosen benefit with “Consolidation” and “Innovation” following at 15% each. Efficiency and performance are not only important benefits of integrated data management but also the primary priorities of any successful data management strategy. Other business benefits will likely follow if an organization can achieve the level of efficiency and performance that is possible with an integrated data management strategy and the right integrated data management platform.
ziffdavis.com
Page 9 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Lack of standardized processes” (31%) was chosen most often when it comes to the question of “What are the greatest data management challenges in your organization?” “Lack of strict governance” (23%) is also a top concern with “Legacy systems from different vendors (20%), “Heterogeneous environment” (18%), and “Inherited systems from mergers and acquisitions” (8%) rounding out the responses. Heterogeneous, legacy, and inherited systems are specialized problems that primarily apply to very specific situations in which general change management is the more acute and therefore more primary challenge. However, the lack of standardized processes and lack of strict governance are challenges felt by most if not all organizations and therefore make sense as the most often chosen challenges for this survey.
ziffdavis.com
Page 10 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Maximize useful data” (32%) is by far most important when asked “What are your goals in terms of data platform integration and optimization?” Far behind was “Focus business efforts (20%), “Increase storage efficiency and performance” (19%), “Improve existing database resources” (16%), and “Optimize database investments” (13%). Too many people, perhaps, are overlooking the value of the ability for platform integration to optimized database investments which was the least chosen response in this survey. Looked at from another angle, the optimization of database investments would arguably encompass all other goals in this category. In other words, an optimized database would focus business efforts by maximizing useful data, increasing storage efficiency and performance, and improving existing database resources.
ziffdavis.com
Page 11 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“How important is the need for real-time data in your organization?” “Important” (45%) to “Critical” (38%) according to those who responded to this survey. The remainder responded “Neutral” (12%), “Not important” (2%), or “I don’t know” (3%). Real-time data empowers right-time decision making which is paramount in a more competitive market. Real-time data, especially when it is integrated with a wide variety of sources, can be an extremely powerful business benefit that provides the foundation of greater efficiency, productivity, and performance.
ziffdavis.com
Page 12 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Accelerating decision making” (33%) is clearly most important when it comes to the question of “What is driving the need for real-time data in your organization?” “Organizational accountability” (25%) was the next most often chosen answer. “Prioritizing requirements” (19%) as followed closely by “Aligning priorities” (17%) and another 6% indicated that this question was “Not appcable.” Real-time data provides an accurate view of what is happening in the business right now. It therefore makes sense that so many would identify decision making and accountability as their top drivers for real-time data since both are exceedingly dependent on timely and accurate information. Furthermore, prioritizing and aligning are generally viewed as strategic whereas real-time data is perhaps most useful when it is tactical such as the case for making decisions and measuring performance.
ziffdavis.com
Page 13 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
“Budget” (27%), “Prioritization” (24%), and “Expertise” (22%) were all chosen quite often by those who were asked “What is currently preventing your IT department from delivering real-time data to the rest of your organization?” “Education” (11%) and “Personnel” (16%) are apparently less of a challenge. Budget is a universal barrier when it comes to business and IT decision making and a fundamental reality that requires discipline and commitment to overcome and therefore not surprising was the top choice. However, when a project such as delivering real-time data is properly prioritized (the second largest number of responses) then the budget becomes less of a challenge. What’s most interesting here is the issue of expertise as a barrier to the delivery of real-time data to the rest of the organization. In reality, a comprehensive data management strategy that includes real-time data does require some additional expertise beyond that which is needed for setting goals, prioritizing objectives, and taking action. However, for most, the investment in people and technologies will almost certainly pay off for the business in terms of smarter and more informed decision making.
ziffdavis.com
Page 14 of 15
Ziff Davis | Strategic IT Survey Results: Data Management
Conclusion Based on the results of this online survey, data management is clearly an increasingly important consideration for business and IT decision makers. Data management strategies are clearly driven by the need for accelerated decision making and accountability while the barriers appear to be education and expertise. Respondents also appear to be concerned about the growing volume of information from a multitude of sources which would explain the majority who also stress the need for an integrated data management platform. Add to that the need for storage, increasingly advanced analytics and real-time access (to name just a few) and it’s easy to see how data management may very well be the new cornerstone of IT services. According to this survey, the goals most often cited for a comprehensive data management strategy are to maximize useful data and focus business efforts. Perhaps illuminating the challenges and opportunities in your own organization will provide some fresh insight for future data management strategies and investment.
About Ziff Davis Ziff Davis, Inc. is a leading digital media company specializing in the technology market, reaching over 40 million highly engaged in-market buyers and influencers every month. Ziff Davis sites, which feature trusted and comprehensive evaluations of the newest, hottest products, and the most advanced ad targeting platform. Ziff Davis B2B is a leading provider of online research to enterprise buyers and high-quality leads to IT vendors. More information on Ziff Davis can be found at ziffdavis.com.
ziffdavis.com | Copyright 2012 Ziff Davis, Inc. | v110512
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