A Guide to SAP HANA Data Lake — Architecture, Features and Benefits
Data lakes are optimized storage options for all types of data. However, in the modern business environment, data lakes have become more than simply data storage repositories and help a great deal to meet the challenges of data management.
Cloud-based SAP Data Lake in data architecture
To better understand where cloud-based SAP data lake fits into data architecture, visualize a pyramid.
At the bottom of the pyramid rests raw data that is rarely used and cannot be accessed quickly. Though it has low operating speeds, the advantage is that it’s cheaper and large amounts of data can be stored.
The top of the pyramid holds the critical data that is to be accessed frequently and immediately. This is the most valuable data and most expensive storage operationally.
The SAP data lake is located in the middle of the pyramid. Typically, this area would be treated as cold storage but not with SAP HANA data. This relational database structure maximizes speed and simplicity of data analysis while rapidly accessing massive volumes of data. Hence, the cloud-based SAP data lake manages data through a mid-range life cycle.
Features of SAP data lake
Some of the cutting-edge features of SAP HANA data lake are as follows:
•Works independently of HANA DB, and is highly elastic with the ability to scale up to petabytes of data on-demand. Businesses need not invest in additional hardware to meet increased demand for data.
•Based on SAP IQ technology
•Superior data analysis capabilities
•Can complement and be administered automatically with HANA Cloud
•Provides quick and smooth links to cloud storage services such as Amazon Web Service S3 and Google Cloud Platform Cloud Storage.
•High-speed ingestion technology
These advanced features help SAP data lake to offer a host of benefits to businesses.
Benefits of SAP data lake
•All types of data ingestion enabled — both structured and unstructured form, on-premises, or cloud sources
•Low TCO — Total Cost of Ownership. It is a financial estimate to decide the direct and indirect cost of the SAP data lake
•Can be easily configured and used
•Columnar architecture enabling easy and fast analytic processing.
With these many benefits, here is a look at the type of businesses that gain the most from the SAP data lake.
Users of SAP HANA data lake
•Those who need a high-performing yet a cost-effective data lake solution
•Organizations who are using on-premise SAP HANA can choose to migrate to the HANA Cloud as a hybrid option
•Businesses that prefer to migrate databases from on-premises environment to the cloud
•Organizations facing a surge in demand for data storage and do not have the financial capability to invest heavily in additional hardware and software.
•Those looking for affordable storage options without facing any lag or drop in performance.
Summing up, SAP data lake provides excellent and affordable data lake solutions and fast access to data whenever needed.
