Tech Guest Viewpoint: Think Solutions When Managing Your Retail Data

Data migrations and system upgrades usually require at least some downtime. In fact, 81% of companies schedule migrations overnight or on weekends when fewer people are working, and fewer customers can potentially be disrupted by downtime. Particularly in this era of 24/7 online ecommerce, some degree of business risk always accompanies downtime.

Downtime costs the retail industry $18 billion annually, according to market research firm IDC. But it doesn’t have to.

What companies may not realize is that leveraging the right technology to support live migrations can minimize this risk, protecting data in the process. Data migration with near-zero downtime is a reality. It all comes down to seeking solutions vs. software.

The Power of Integration

Software solves a single problem.A solution is a comprehensive answer to a business opportunity. Integrated solutions unite technology, methodology and services to create huge strategic business benefits.



Staples, for example, previously ran its North American operations from one server with a backup server some 20 miles away, using tape as its preferred backup method. It opted instead for an integrated solution enabling easy switching between primary and secondary servers, accommodating regular maintenance and system failures with near-zero downtime, and importantly customers and employees were none the wiser when migrations occurred. The move also enabled Staples to swap and shift its workload around from system to system, making better use of its resources than if it simply bought hardware and/or faster processers.



Keeping Business Running

Despite the possibilities, more than half of IT leaders say they experience anywhere from one to 12 hours of downtime during migrations, according to Vision Solutions’ State of Resilience survey. Almost two-thirds delay migrations due to downtime concerns.



While most users will tolerate brief downtime periods, sustained episodes can breed serious discontent.



On high-volume days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, when terabytes of information flow through the systems of online retailers, any downtime at all can become front-page news. With business continuity solutions in place, retailers can conduct data migrations during planned downtimes, eliminating the fear of data loss.



The easy fix would be to simply upgrade server and storage hardware, but that’s more of a bandage than a panacea. The real solution needs to account for the ever-growing data pool.

Migration software sets definable threshold points for the data, which can then be archived, reorganized or deleted, all while users remain active. These solutions prove their value over time by addressing the growing data needs for retailers today and in the future.



Solutions, such as real-time replication, inserted into a solid methodology (including testing) can optimize your migration strategy while making your process both repeatable and predictable, regardless of the platform or environment.



Protecting Your Reputation

In some countries, the number of smart phone sold actually exceeds the nation’s population. Each one of those devices interacts with companies, accessing and sending data across social media, applications and email. With this constant flow of inbound data, companies simply can’t afford to let their systems go down.



If people can’t communicate with you, they can’t buy the things they want. If they can’t buy them from you, they’ll go to your competitor. And they may very well never come back.



A solid data migration strategy will support your servers anytime you make an upgrade or move to a new environment. A solution-based approach to migration is the key to uninterrupted business – whether it’s Black Friday, Cyber Monday or any other day of the year.



Once you identify a realistic timeline, engage the right software and outline a testing methodology, you’ll likely opt for a solution vs. software every time.



Alan Arnold is CTO of Vision Solutions