What is a Data Platform? Understanding Components, Tools, and Evolution
Last Updated on: May 17th, 2023, Published on: May 17th, 2023
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A data platform, like other types of software platforms, is a foundational system on which other applications, tools, and services are built and operated.
But specifically in the context of data, it can be defined as an integrated technology solution that allows for the collection, processing, storage, management, and analysis of data.
Table of contents
- Understanding a data platform: Key components
- Understanding the components of a data platform with a schematic representation
- Enhancing data platform capabilities with tools
- Traditional data platform vs. modern data platform: Their evolution and what makes them different
- Traditional data platform vs. modern data platform: A tabular view
- Bringing it all together
- What is a data platform? Related reads
Understanding a data platform: Key components
Here are some key elements that define a data platform:
- Data collection and ingestion
- Data storage and management
- Data processing and transformation
- Data analysis and visualization
- Scalability and performance
- Security and compliance
- Interoperability and flexibility
Now, let us look into each of these key elements in brief:
1. Data collection and ingestion
A data platform should be capable of handling data from various sources, such as relational databases, NoSQL databases, log files, streaming data, and even unstructured data sources.
2. Data storage and management
Data platforms are responsible for storing and managing large amounts of data in a secure and efficient manner. They should offer different storage options (like data warehouses, data lakes, or databases) suitable for different types of data and use cases.
3. Data processing and transformation
A data platform should provide functionalities to clean, transform, and process data into a form that can be easily analyzed.
4. Data analysis and visualization
A robust data platform should include or integrate well with tools that allow for data analysis, such as business intelligence tools, data visualization tools, and machine learning algorithms.
5. Scalability and performance
As data volumes and processing demands grow, a data platform should be able to scale accordingly to maintain high performance.
6. Security and compliance
Data platforms must ensure the security of data, including compliance with data privacy regulations.
7. Interoperability and flexibility
A data platform should be interoperable with various data tools and technologies, and flexible enough to allow for the development and integration of new functionalities.
In terms of mutual dependence, a data platform acts as a bridge between data providers (databases, APIs, data streams, etc.) and data consumers (analysts, data scientists, business users, etc.).
The platform provider must ensure the platform’s robustness, scalability, and security, while the developers and users rely on the platform to build, deploy, and operate their data-driven applications and services. The success of the platform provider is tied to the success of the users and developers, creating a symbiotic relationship.
Understanding the components of a data platform with a schematic representation
A data platform consists of several interconnected components that work together to collect, store, process, analyze, and visualize data. In this section, let us explore the key components of a data platform and how they help in data-driven decisions.
A textual schematic could look something similar to this:
[Data Sources] --> [Data Ingestion] --> [Data Storage] --> [Data Processing] --> [Data Analysis] --> [Data Visualization]
| | | | |
(Collects data) (Secures & stores) (Transforms data) (Analyzes data) (Visualizes results)
| | | | |
v v v v v
(Raw Data) (Stored Data) (Processed Data) (Insights/Patterns) (Reports/Dashboards)
Let us understand each of the components in the above schema:
- Data sources
These are the original sources of data, which can include databases, APIs, files, streams, or even real-time data from IoT devices.
- Data ingestion
This step involves collecting or capturing data from the various data sources. It could involve processes like data extraction, data streaming, or batch processing.
- Data storage
The collected data is stored securely in databases, data lakes, or data warehouses. The choice of storage depends on the type and scale of the data, as well as the use case.
- Data processing
This step involves cleaning, transforming, and enriching the data to prepare it for analysis. This could involve data engineering tasks like ETL (Extract, Transform, Load).
- Data analysis
Here, the processed data is analyzed using various techniques and tools, such as SQL queries, data mining, or machine learning algorithms.
- Data visualization
Finally, the results of the data analysis are presented in a visual, easily digestible format. This could involve creating dashboards, charts, or graphs.
Please note that this is a simplified view, and real-world data platforms may include additional or more complex components.
Here’s a picture that represents how data is processed in an organization:
How data is processed in an organization. Source: a16z.
Enhancing data platform capabilities with tools
In this section, we will explore a range of tools that data teams can consider deploying on top of their data platforms, empowering them to maximize the value of their data assets. These tools provide additional functionalities and address specific needs related to data discovery, governance, quality, security, privacy, visualization, collaboration, and automation.
Let’s understand the different categories that they belong to:
- Data discovery tools
- Data governance tools
- Data quality tools
- Data lineage tools
- Data security tools
- Data privacy tools
- Data visualization tools
- Data storytelling tools
- Data collaboration tools
- Data automation tools
Let us look into each of the above category of tools in brief:
1. Data discovery tools
These tools help users find and understand the data that is available to them. They can help to identify data that is relevant to a particular project, and to understand the quality and lineage of that data.
2. Data governance tools
Data governance tools help to manage the data lifecycle, from creation to deletion. They can help to ensure that data is accurate, consistent, and secure.
3. Data quality tools
They help to identify and fix data quality issues. They can also help to ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistent.
4. Data lineage tools
Data lineage tools track the flow of data through an organization. They can help to identify data sources, data transformations, and data destinations.
5. Data security tools
These tools help to protect data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
6. Data privacy tools
Data privacy tools help in compliance with data privacy regulations and even identify and protect personal data. Besides, they give users control over their data.
7. Data visualization tools
These tools help to make data easier to understand and interpret. They can help to create charts, graphs, and other visuals that can be used to communicate data insights.
8. Data storytelling tools
These tools help to tell stories with data. They can help to create engaging and informative content that can be used to communicate data insights to a wider audience.
9. Data collaboration tools
These tools help to facilitate collaboration between data teams. They can help to share data, insights, and ideas, and to work together on data projects.
10. Data automation tools
These tools help to automate data tasks. They can help to save time and effort, and to improve the accuracy and consistency of data processes.
So far, we have discussed a few tool categories that you could consider deploying on top of your data platform. However, the specific tools that you need will depend on the size and complexity of your organization, the type of data you are working with, and your data needs.
Traditional data platform vs. modern data platform: Their evolution and what makes them different
Traditional data platforms, characterized by structured and centralized approaches, relied on relational databases and data warehouses. However, as data volumes, velocity, and variety increased, these platforms faced limitations in handling big data, real-time processing, and unstructured data.
That led to the emergence of modern data platforms that offer enhanced capabilities to meet the demands of today’s data-rich environments. In this section, we will explore the differences between traditional and modern data platforms:
Traditional data platforms
In the past, traditional data platforms typically followed a structured and centralized approach. They primarily consisted of relational databases and data warehouses. These systems were designed to handle structured data and were often on-premises, meaning they were physically located within the organization.
- Relational databases
These databases use a schema to define data relationships, and data must be structured to fit this schema. Examples include MySQL, Oracle Database, and SQL Server.
- Data warehouses
Data warehouses are used for reporting and data analysis. They are optimized to process large amounts of data and support complex queries.
However, traditional data platforms had limitations. They struggled with large volumes of data (what we now call “big data”), they weren’t built to handle real-time data processing, and they didn’t support unstructured data well, which makes up a large portion of modern data (e.g., text, images, videos).
Modern data platforms
Modern data platforms have evolved to overcome these limitations and support the diverse needs of today’s data-rich environments. They have the ability to handle enormous volumes of data, process data in real-time, and manage both structured and unstructured data. Furthermore, they often leverage cloud technologies for scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
- Big data technologies
Tools like Hadoop and Apache Spark allow for distributed processing of large data sets across clusters of computers.
- Data lakes
Data lakes store data in its raw format, supporting structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data. They provide flexibility as the need for pre-defined schemas is eliminated or reduced.
- NoSQL databases
NoSQL databases are designed to handle unstructured data, scale horizontally, and support real-time processing. They can store and retrieve data that is modeled in means other than the tabular relations used in relational databases.
- Real-time processing
Tools like Apache Kafka and Apache Flink allow for real-time data ingestion and processing.
- Cloud-based services
Modern data platforms often leverage cloud-based services for storage, processing, and analysis. Examples include Snowflake, Google BigQuery, AWS Redshift, and Azure Data Lake Storage.
- Machine learning and AI
Modern platforms often incorporate machine learning and AI capabilities, making it easier to build and deploy predictive models.
- Data governance and security
With the increasing importance of data privacy and protection, modern platforms incorporate advanced data governance and security features.
While modern data platforms provide many advantages, they also introduce complexity due to the variety of tools and technologies involved. Therefore, organizations need to carefully consider their specific needs and capabilities when designing their data platforms.
Traditional data platform vs. modern data platform: A tabular view
Here is a comparison between traditional and modern data platforms in a tabular format:
| Feature | Traditional Data Platform | Modern Data Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Data Type | Primarily structured data | Structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data |
| Data Volume | Limited; struggles with large volumes (“big data”) | Handles very large volumes of data (“big data”) |
| Data Processing | Batch processing; struggles with real-time processing | Both batch and real-time processing |
| Data Storage | Relational databases and data warehouses | Mix of relational databases, NoSQL databases, data lakes, and data warehouses |
| Infrastructure | Often on-premises | Often cloud-based, taking advantage of scalability and flexibility |
| Data Analytics | Supports traditional analytics and BI tools | Supports a variety of analytics tools, including advanced analytics and AI/ML capabilities |
| Flexibility | Data must fit into predefined schemas | Flexible schema (schema-on-read), particularly in data lakes and NoSQL databases |
| Data Governance | Basic data governance capabilities | Advanced data governance and security features, often built-in or integrated |
In the table above, we have provided you a general comparison. But, the specific capabilities and characteristics can vary based on the tools and technologies used in the data platform.
Bringing it all together
In summary, data platforms are central to managing and deriving value from data in today’s data-rich environments. They provide the infrastructure and tools necessary for handling, processing, and analyzing data.
They have helped evolve to meet the increasing demands of modern data workloads. In this comprehensive blog, we delved into the world of data platforms, exploring their key components, capabilities, and evolution.
What is a data platform? Related reads
- What Is a Modern Data Platform: Components, Capabilities, and Tools
- Modern data teams: Roles, structure and how do you build one
- Modern data catalogs: 5 essential features and evaluation guide
- What is a data lake? Definition, architecture, and solutions
- What is Data Governance? Its Importance, Principles & How to Get Started?
- What is Metadata? - Examples, Benefits, and Use Cases
- What Is a Data Catalog? & Why Do You Need One in 2023?
- Is Atlan compatible with data quality tools?
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