Data Summit 2023 Event Recap

Data Summit 2023 was filled with thought-provoking sessions and presentations that explored the ever-evolving world of data. From the technical possibilities and challenges of new and emerging technologies to using Big Data for business intelligence, analytics, and other business strategies, this event had something for everyone. I’ll recap our presentations and everything else the Datavail team learned at Data Summit 2023.

About Data Summit 2023

Data Summit 2023, held in Boston, MA, May 9-11, had the overarching theme of “Unlocking the Power of Your Data.” It featured keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and presentations from global leaders in data. Attendees were able to explore solutions and strategies to help them unlock the power of their data and turn it into actionable insights.

The event tackles topics on artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, data management, predictive analytics, and business analytics. Sessions ranged from providing an overview of emerging trends to actionable best practices for achieving data success.

Datavail was proud to be a part of this event as a platinum sponsor, and our team presented on the changing role of database administrators, the power of cloud analytics, and picking the right database for your use case. Plus, we gave away an awesome LEGO NASA Space Shuttle!

From DBA to Data Engineer—The Strategic Role of DBAs in the Cloud

Over the past few years, the IT landscape has experienced significant disruptions. Many of these transformations are reshaping database administrator roles in organizations, from the introduction of new technologies to the increasing size and complexity of the database environment. Additionally, emerging data types and modern applications drive enterprises to adopt new data platforms. DBAs are under pressure to continually evolve to support ongoing innovation. The roles and duties traditionally performed by DBAs have changed as cloud adoption and automation become commonplace.

Steve Doughty, Director of Solution Development at Datavail, spoke about the strategic role of DBAs in the cloud during the presentation “From DBA to Data Engineer – The Strategic Role of DBAs in the Cloud.” He noted that over the last few years, advances in technology have had a major impact on database administrator roles and responsibilities. Although these changes are causing disruption in the IT landscape, they also provide opportunities for DBAs to expand their skillset and develop their careers.

Doughty outlined how DBAs can take advantage of new technologies such as cloud computing to advance their role. He explained how modern applications and data types require companies to adopt new data platforms, thus creating an environment that is more conducive to DBA-led innovation. Doughty also discussed how automation and cloud adoption are changing traditional DBA duties as well as providing a platform for greater efficiency and scalability.

His presentation provided insight into how DBAs can move from being database administrators to becoming data engineers in order to stay ahead of the curve in today’s ever-changing technology landscape. He discussed the key technical skills required for this transition and emphasized the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of both relational databases and non-relational databases such as NoSQL or Hadoop. Additionally, he highlighted the need for DBAs to have a deep understanding of cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. Finally, he concluded by emphasizing the importance of understanding data engineering principles such as data governance, security protocols, scalability strategies, etc., in order to ensure successful transitions from DBA roles into data engineering roles.

Are You Picking the Right Database?

Michael Agarwal, Director and Global Practice Leader – Cloud Databases, NoSQL, and Site Reliability Engineering, Datavail, delivered tips on picking the right databases for your modern application and analytics needs during the presentation “Are You Picking the Right Database?”

Agarwal discussed the latest trends in cloud database modernizations. He highlighted how customers can benefit from a move to cloud-native databases like those offered by AWS and Azure. He discussed various use cases as well as comparing Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) databases.

Agarwal emphasized that each organization has unique requirements when it comes to selecting the right database, and that there is no single solution that works for all customers. He outlined several key criteria to consider such as scalability, performance, cost, reliability, security, and support. In addition, Agarwal shared best practices for cloud migration including assessing existing workloads in order to determine if they are suitable for cloud-native solutions or require on-premises deployments.

Harnessing the Power of the Cloud to Solve Analytics Challenges

Finally, I go into detail on my Data Summit presentation, “Harnessing the Power of the Cloud to Solve Analytics Challenges”, in this blog post. For a quick summary, I discussed how companies can leverage the power of cloud technology to meet their analytics need and outlined the steps necessary to achieve a successful migration to the cloud, including selecting the right cloud provider and designing an effective architecture. I also discussed best practices for developing and deploying data-driven solutions in the cloud, including leveraging automation and advanced analytics tools.

Other sessions at Data Summit 2023 covered data fabric, AI and Machine Learning, DataOps, the importance of data literacy throughout organizations, and open-source technologies.

Overall, Data Summit 2023 provided attendees valuable insights into cutting edge data management and analytics technologies being used today, allowing organizations to stay ahead of their competition and harness new trends.