Data has become one of the most important resources in the world. The digital economy relies on data in order to market to specific demographics. For companies to find target markets, data is the most integral component. Some people say that data is now more valuable than oil and it will continue to get more valuable as the digital economy expands.
When you are a business, it is imperative to organize your data and utilize it to your best ability. There are two definitive options. You can store the data in the Cloud either with a third-party, on your own, or with on-site management. Both have their pros and cons, but to reach your digital business’s full potential you should decide what’s right for you.
The Cloud
You have probably heard a lot about the Cloud. It is the term used for storing data, files, and more on off-site servers. Companies sometimes choose to outsource their Cloud storage so they don’t have to do it themselves. If you want to switch off the server, leaving the management of these tasks to a third-party.
This is also a way for you to avoid compromising the security of your company data and information. When you deploy Cloud-based master data management you’ll be enabled to access the server that is hosted by your MDM vendor with the internet. This prescription-based service provides agility, security, and flexibility but you won’t have direct access to all the data at your disposal because you won’t be the one working with it.
On-Site MDM
Another way to store data is to use on-site master data management. When you choose this method of storing data, you’ll have the authority to maintain the activities in your business without interference from a third-party. While your company has to take on the work involved with on-site MDM, it will benefit from working with the data on a daily basis. Having control and access to it is very valuable. The MDM server will be installed in the business’s servers. By utilizing on-site MDM, your company will be completely in charge of its data, software, and hardware. No one will get in the way. However, managing and maintaining your servers comes with backing them up and doing the work involved.
Using Your Data
If you’re not using the data you have from your digital business, you should rethink this. The data you have from customers and others offers pertinent information in all kinds of ways. You can use the data you have to find out what is working for your business and what isn’t. How can you find a better market? Who is your target demographic? You can determine all of this and more by utilizing the data you have. Not only can you create data points and graphs that will help you find out what you need to do, it will provide a way to discover creative solutions, new products, and services you hadn’t thought of.
Cost, Complexity, & Security
While few companies in the digital economy don’t need their data, if your business truly doesn’t need it you can cut down on cost and complexity by outsourcing MDM with Cloud-based storage. This software is generally charged under a monthly subscription plan with a relatively low initial set-up. This runs the storage and maintenance costs. You’ll have to set-up and install hardware and software, and will be responsible for the costs and risks involved in the implementation and repair. It is obvious that storing data on your own server is more complex. Cloud services are quickly implemented and can be cheaper than an on-site server, which needs IT involvement and a longer time-frame.
Still if you choose for your company to manage their own data with an on-site server, you will have tighter security because it resides in your organization. You will have authority over it while customizing and controlling the data. If you want no one outside of to have access to your data and want to work with it frequently to your advantage, storing data on-site is a great option.
While it depends on your business and its goals, you have two distinct options for data storage. You can store your data on the Cloud yourself, but most people pay a third-party to do so. The other option is to keep your data stored on servers in your premises, giving you more access and security. If you’re trying to expand your company, grow, and take it into the future, having control of your data is key to succeeding in the digital economy.
Ryan Beitler is a writer, journalist, and blogger who has written for a variety of publications, including Paste Magazine, The Slovenia Times, Deadline News, AI Time Journal, and more.