Data-storage has become an increasingly important issue for companies to consider and invest in, considering the large and continually growing amount of data that is collected evey day, or even every minute. Effective data storage is crucial not only for the protection of data, but its accessibility and use. Most companies, or anyone that uses a computer or collects data of any kind, use some kind of back-up system to ensure data will not be lost or tampered with, and can easily be replaced should something go wrong with data storage or processing. This is the same idea which John McFadden presented to our class, explaining the importance of backing up data, even if a person’s chooses to simply use a flash drive for important documents.
The problem many companies run into, however, is discussed by Moulton is his article "Data Storage: It’s Time to Grow Up". The issue they face is ineffective data storage, which causes issues with general efficiency and data security. Transactional data, which is always changing and being edited, needs to be updated and backed up frequently to ensure secure, up-to-date data. Reference data, however, does not change and as such does not to be backed up as frequently. While this would seem like a good thing for data storage, it causes problems because all of the data is backed up together, so both the transactional and Reference data is copied each time the data is backed up. The reference data, however, remains unchanged, and as such there is no need to copy it again. For that matter, copying unchanged data may even become a security risk, in that unnecessary copies of data exist but are not in use. Back-up data, in the past, was most often stored on disks; according to the article, Reference data takes up approximately 85% of disk space unnecessarily, wasting a great deal of room for new, potential data or transactional data updates.
The excess of unnecessary data also causes problems with data effectiveness and efficiency. Excess amounts of unnecessary data crowds out storage space, making it difficult to locate and organize data as needed. This drastically reduces productivity in addition to data security and organization, however companies are still resistant to modified data storage. Moulton targets job security as the leading factor, explaining that more efficient data storage systems allow a more easily explained and understandable system, and detracting from job security of those who are in charge of data storage. However, strides have been made with deduplicatiopn and cloud software to increase data storage efficiency, in spite of employee hesitation.
Moulton’s idea for data storage, however, is slightly more advanced than clouds or deduplication. By using what Moulton calls a “smart archive,” data can be stored in a tiered system, copying and backing up only the information which is necessary, using data storage space effectively and securely. This tiered system not only seems incredibly organized, but is not so different from current systems that its uniqueness would deter new users to try the innovative data storage technology. Data storage can be just as important as the data itself, and as such is important to look into when evaluating company data and efficiency. This type of “smart archive” may be the new approach to efficient, effective data storage.
1. Bobby Moulton, "Data Storage: It’s Time to Grow Up". TechNewsWorld.Mar 13, 2010http://www.technewsworld.com/story/data-management/69540.html. Mar 18, 2010.
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I agree when you say that the data storage can be just as important as the data itself. Reason for this is because if you can never access the important, crucial data because there is nonsense and useless data clogging up the space, then that important data will never be accessed anyways. I believe that this new tiered storage system is crucial if a company is trying to improve their efficiency and ultimately their success.
ReplyDeleteIt seems for one thing that this inefficiency in data storage hinders the effectiveness of the knowledge worker. The idea of a tiered system seems pretty smart, but how many companies don't have this already? How expensive is it to implement? Maybe companies see that the one-time fee of implementing this system isn't worth the backup that they have already. Once it becomes cost-effective, you'll see more companies switch to this model.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Tim said for the most part, but wouldn't more efficient data over time eventually pay for itself? Employees will be able to access data they use for every process more rapidly as the databases lay them out in a logical way, cutting down the time they take to make their decisions, input, etc. Whether this model is as cost efficient as it will be in the future, just the fact that the tiered system will be improving efficiency and cutting down on wasted space within the database will be worth the expense to any company.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the question Mike posed I believe that more efficient data will eventually pay for itself over time. This tiered system seems like it will be an effective way to manage all the data in an efficient and user friendly way. I believe that data storage should be a major concern for companies for many reasons but especially in regards to data security. We live in an age in which everyones' personal and confidential information is stored via technology. If we are going to entrust this information to the technological world then we have to have a system that can efficiently and securely manage and store it all. I think it is important to spend the time developing a system that can handle all this information, sort it effectively, and allow the crucial data to be accessed without delays and blockage from the less important information.
ReplyDeleteI'm very frustrated right now because I had a very long comment and the Internet failed as I was posting it. Basically, I agree that data storage can be just as important as the original data itself. I also agree with Tim's comment about the price of new storage systems. It has been mentioned multiple times in class that companies are often hesitant to pay alot of money for IS storage that they do not actually physically see benefiting the company. This is a roadblock that the companies will have to overcome for this program to be successful.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have discussed the issue of inefficient innovative technology, I can not ignore that it is a recurring theme throughout the technology world and our blog. Technology is "improving" certain aspects of our lives faster than we can put them to practical use efficiently and effectively. While part of the technology improves our lives, certain aspects only complicate our lives. This is evident within the article. Although the backing up of data is crucial and improves our lives if our systems fail, the backlash that comes with this improvement is the problem of excess useless information. This clutters up our virtual workspace, the same way a messy desk stacked with duplicates of useless memos clutters up our physical workplace. A clean workplace, physical or virtual is a useful aspect in completing efficient and effective work.
ReplyDeleteA tiered system is definitely a good idea that I think more companies should implement. If 85% of storage space is taken up by unnecessary reference data, there is not much room for new or fresh data to be stored. Deduplication is becoming an increasingly popular system for efficient data storage, and I agree that more companies should use it in order to help free up more storage space for new and crucial information.
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