Optimizing Modern Data Stack

What if You’re Already on a Modern Data Stack and Still Struggling?

Introduction

In our blogs, we talked about the benefits of moving from older data systems to a modern data stack—how using the latest tools and technologies can make your business more efficient and flexible.

But the journey doesn’t end with modernization. Even with the advantages, modern data stacks come with their own set of challenges. In today’s fast-paced world, many organizations have switched to cloud infrastructure, advanced analytics, and data management tools. Yet, despite these upgrades, companies still face significant hurdles. Rising costs, complex compliance, tech overload, and data duplication are just a few issues that can prevent you from making the most of your modern data stack.

Why do these issues happen? Often, the tools don't match the organization’s specific needs, workflows aren’t optimized, or there’s a lack of proper oversight. These problems can build up, leading to higher costs, data silos, compliance risks, and tool overload. That’s why it’s essential to implement and regularly monitor, refine, and align your data stack with your business goals.

At Kitesight, we understand that transitioning to a modern data stack is the first step. The real work begins with ensuring that your stack is optimized, cost-effective, and aligned with your business needs.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how Kitesight can help you tackle these challenges and fully unlock the potential of your modern data solutions.

1. Rising Costs: Keeping Your Cloud Spending Under Control

Cloud services are powerful and flexible but can become expensive if not managed well. Many companies incur higher bills than expected as storage, computing, and processing costs increase.

How Kitesight Can Help:

• Cost Optimization: We help you understand your cloud usage, find areas where you're spending too much, and apply cost-saving strategies. We use tools like Reserved Instances, autoscaling, and cost-monitoring dashboards to ensure you only pay for what you need.
• Resource Management: We ensure that your cloud resources, like storage and computing power, are used efficiently. This helps prevent overspending and keeps costs down.
• Custom Alerts & Reporting: We set up alerts and reports to keep you updated on your cloud spending so you don’t get surprises at the end of the month.

For example, we recommend storing frequently accessed data in the cloud instead of querying data multiple times, which can increase costs. This cost-effective method speeds up data retrieval, ultimately saving money.

2. Data Governance: Keeping Your Data Safe, Compliant, and Private

Keeping data secure and following the rules can become complicated as data grows. It’s essential to protect your data, make it accessible to the right people, and stay compliant with regulations.

How Kitesight Can Help:

• Comprehensive Data Governance Framework: We create robust frameworks that match industry standards. We ensure your data is secure, well-organized, and accessible to authorized users.
• Automated Compliance Monitoring: We help you automate compliance checks to ensure your data meets all necessary regulations. This reduces the risk of fines, breaches, and reputational damage.
• Data Classification & Access Control: We help you classify data by sensitivity and set up controls to ensure that only the right business stakeholders can access the necessary information. This makes it easier to stay secure and compliant.

For example, by classifying and restricting access to sensitive customer data, we help you prevent unauthorized access and ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR, reducing risk and protecting your reputation.

3. Tech Stack Optimisation: Simplifying Your Toolset for Better Efficiency

With so many data tools and platforms available, feeling overwhelmed is easy. Managing too many tools can lead to inefficiencies and a lack of clear direction in your data strategy.

How Kitesight Can Help:

• Tool Consolidation: We review your current tools and find ways to consolidate them. By reducing the number of tools and focusing on the best ones, we help you streamline your operations and reduce complexity.
• Integration Expertise: We ensure your tools work well together, creating a smooth and efficient data environment. Our expertise in platforms like dbt, Snowflake, and Databricks ensures that everything runs as a cohesive system.
• Operational Efficiency: By optimizing workflows and eliminating unnecessary tools, we help you work more efficiently by reducing tech debt. This allows your team to focus on key business insights rather than managing the stack.

For example, by consolidating your data tools and integrating platforms like dbt, Snowflake, and Databricks, we simplify your operations and enhance efficiency, enabling your team to focus more on insights and less on managing disparate technologies.

4. Auditing: Making Sure Your Data is Traceable

Auditing is critical to keeping data accurate and following the rules. But tracking where data comes from, how it’s changed, and where it goes can be challenging, especially in complex data systems.

How Kitesight Can Help:

• Data Lineage Tools: We use advanced tools, like DataHub, to map out the data flow within your systems. These tools help track and document every step in your data’s journey, making auditing easier and ensuring compliance.
• Audit Trails: We create detailed logs of who accessed data, what changes were made, and where the data went. This transparency is crucial for both internal checks and external audits.
• Compliance Reporting: We help you generate automatic compliance reports, making it easier to prove you follow the rules during audits.

For example, we can track where your data goes and who accesses it, making it easy to comply with regulations like GDPR and pass audits with automated reports.

 
Getting the Most Out of Your Modern Data Stack

Switching to a modern data stack is a big step but comes with challenges. Whether you need help managing costs, keeping data secure, handling audits, simplifying your tools, or reducing data duplication, Kitesight is here to help. We ensure your data stack is modern, optimized, efficient, and aligned with your business goals.

At Kitesight, we turn data challenges into opportunities for growth. Let us help you unlock the full potential of your data stack and drive your business forward with confidence. Discover how Kitesight can make your data work for you.

In our next blog, we'll focus on one of the biggest concerns for companies today—keeping cloud costs under control. We'll look at easy ways to lower your cloud spending, like storing data smartly and avoiding extra charges. Stay tuned to learn how to manage your cloud budget without missing out on the benefits of your modern data stack.