In this article, Nicole Preston discusses Copy data management software solutions in very simple terms.
Why copy data management software?
Due to the sheer volume of data generated and stored daily, many companies are drowning in excess copy data. Copy data management has become problematic, leading to numerous productivity, security, and cost issues. Additionally, since many organizations use copy data as a reliable means to safeguard their information, the amount of copies can quickly become unmanageable [1].
Although strategies to copy data management vary amongst vendors, keeping numerous copies of data can result in an array of problems to organizations is indisputable. Copy data management is one solution to the mounting issue of copy data [4].
What is Copy Data Management Software?
Copy Data Management (CDM) is software that stops the unnecessary replications of production data [1]. Production data is the information organizations use to conduct daily business, whereas copy data is all of the data in an organization that does not serve a productive purpose. Oftentimes, the volume of copy data is much larger than the production data. Large quantities of copy data are problematic because they create various issues, such as large storage fees and difficulties with data recovery and backup [7].
How does CDM software work?
CDM software collects all production data from various locations and maintains a sole replica of the data in one comprehensive information network [2]. If/when other replications are needed, “snapshot technology” generates a virtual replication of the information [3]. CDM eradicates repetitive information and offers a single administrative resource for managing replication rates and retention periods for all kinds of information [2].
This data management technique is useful because it allows information to be accessed on-demand while preventing unintentional changes to the backup copy. CDM also permits organizations to have identical copies of their production data without storage being squandered on redundant information [3].
Why is copy data management software important?
Creating duplicates of information serves various business and technological purposes in any industry, but the main goal behind copied data is data security and protection. By producing copy data, companies safeguard their data from theft, disaster, and/or accidental loss [8].
Besides being essential for data protection, copy data is useful to organizations for numerous applications such as analytics, testing and development. Furthermore, having a secondary copy it shields the primary copy from both usage issues and performance problems [8].
Why is copy data management an issue?
Copy data is an issue many industries face and is only estimated to grow [1]. For example, an International Data Corporation (IDC) study released in April 2016 found that 45-60% of businesses’ overall storage capabilities were devoted to holding copied information, and 82% of surveyed companies had ten or more database copies [5].
The study’s findings are especially troubling because, by 2018, the fees for storing copied data in the information technology community will be over $50 billion. Moreover, less than 20% of businesses have properly tackled their copy data issues when surveyed. In essence, it increases costs, wastes storage capacity, and reduces productivity speeds; however, very little is being done to rectify it [5].
What are the benefits of CDM?
Despite the evident consequences copy data generates for businesses, few organizations are implementing CDM. The usage of CDM use would be advantageous to organizations due to the following benefits [5]:
CDM speeds up retrieval of and by applications
- There is no downtime
- Managers can spend less time on issues
- It lowers storage fees
- It generates faster profit turnover
- It helps to maintain compliance
- It improves client approval
- It leads to quicker growth
- It creates better and quicker decision-making
- It helps quality assurance solve issues faster
- It eliminates data loss.
What are the major concerns/downsides with the CDM application?
While it is apparent that replicated data causes various problems for businesses and the use of CDM software would be valuable, there are several concerns and downsides connected to the utilization of CDM [5].
- Disadvantages of using CDM are:
- High costs associated with CDM employment [5]
- Quality of service (QoS) concerns
- Virtualization and on-demand access are valuable, but it also means that numerous divisions of an organization are operating from a sole copy of the data, which creates an increased usage demand [6]
- Security issues
- If corruption occurs, the use of CDM can potentially cause a substantial loss of data [6]. However, some products, such as EDpCloud from EnduraData, combine replication with CDM and archives to guard against such a scenario.
- The huge increase in information copies [5]
- The upkeep of a second system solely for copying information is a drain of resources [5].
Conclusion
Although the evidence greatly supports the use of CDM, only a small amount of businesses utilize CDM. Of the businesses that use CDM, they save money and experience improved operational outcomes rather than the ones who merely recognize the problem and the consequences that come with it. Furthermore, CDM is essential to the success of a business because those who utilize CDM increase their market lead. Lastly, CDM creates better productivity, decreases costs, and simplifies tasks [5].
References
1. “Develop copy management systems for streamlined production.” TechTarget. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
2. “Copy data management”. PCMag. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
3. Posey, Brian (July 2014). “How copy data management differs from traditional backup.” TechTarget. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
4. Kerns, Randy (July 2016). “Make copy data storage a vital part of your storage strategy.” TechTarget. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
5. “Copy Data Management”. IDC. April 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
6. Posey, Brien (February 2017). “What are the downsides of copy data storage management?”. TechTarget. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
7. “Copy data”. PCMag. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
8. Kerns, Randy (28 August 2015). “Drilling down into copy data management.” TechTarget. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
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