In 2021 and the coming years, those businesses that drive data innovation will satisfy their customers and lead their industries.1 Currently, every business experiences growth in the amount of data,2 the use of data, and the value of data to performance. Technology’s advances in ways to store, protect and apply the data are both responses to and causes of the increasing business value of data.
By building data innovation as a strategic business value, companies establish their data presence. Data presence results from the successful application of data management, data analytics, and data-driven decisions that produce customer satisfaction, competitive advantage, and operational efficiency. A strategy supported by services solutions that streamline and modernize data management produces such results. This article examines how to base that strategy on advancing your technology and evolving your workforce, thereby establishing a data presence.
What ingredients are key to a strategic data presence?
Given the context of data growth and technological advances, an effective data management strategy must include data storage, data protection, data recovery, data backup, and more. Cloud, including cloud storage and cloud computing, is the newest environment layer, complementary to physical and virtual environments for data storage and utilization. Dell Technologies’ PowerProtect Data Manager pulls these elements together, applying the key ingredients to a sound strategy.
1) A holistic approach to data management
The most beneficial strategy integrates those several data factors, coordinates the various operation environments, and—perhaps most beneficially—provides data management in ways that contribute value to the business. A list of tactical provisions from such a strategy would include:
- Data protection safeguards: physical, virtual, cloud
- Quick unlocking of the data’s value
- Cyber recovery capabilities
- Software as a Service (SaaS) for monitoring and reporting
- Backup and restore from native database applications
- Transition to broader cloud data protection
2) Tools that provide insight and protection in real-time
Dell Technologies’ PowerProtect Data Manager integrates tools and services into a strategy that is software-defined, optimized by multi-cloud usage, and provides the capability to configure self-service data protection. This extends beyond the Data Manager’s previous focus on data backup and recovery.
As the familiar function of data backup and recovery is automated into the strategy, the Applications Administrator can gain insights from which to build competitive business advantages, which include:
- Addressing IT complexity
- Ensuring protection of both applications and data
- Transition to broader cloud protection
- Modernization of physical data centers
3) Built-in resiliency
More specific and of increasing importance in the current setting is business resiliency. Such resiliency comes from the comprehensive and inclusive solution from PowerProtect DM that provides confidence in withstanding and rebounding from threats to a business’s operations. A few of those benefits are:
- Cyber recovery
- Automated workflows
- Rapid resumption of normal business operations
Unlocking workforce transformation with this strategy
The introduction of PowerProtect DM will enable the IT workforce to focus on data-driven business solutions that benefit the business. For example, customer data can serve as source material for Artificial Intelligence solutions3 in areas such as customer satisfaction, market identity, and revenue. By applying data insights internally, AI/ML can automate and provide personalized learning opportunities, thereby reducing boredom, increasing productivity and employee engagement.
IT professionals leading this new function will have a broader span of control of both application administration and data management. They will need to be better equipped to manage the treatment and use of data, with increased knowledge of cybersecurity from a more strategic level. As the role will encompass utilizing data to build applications that drive business value, strategic thinking, data-driven decision making, and appropriate business skills will be of premium value to IT directors.
By developing these new skills, IT professionals have more opportunities than ever to grow in their careers and leave a lasting impact on their businesses’ data presence.
A clear path to get the most out of the PowerProtect Data Manager
The Power Protect Data Manager training available from Dell Technologies Education Services is a comprehensive course key to unlocking the value of the PowerProtect Data Manager. Topic-based for ready access and practical comprehension by learners, the training is single-sourced and delivers a uniform high level of instructional quality. Flexible for your business needs, the program is available in all formats: classroom instructor-led, on-demand, and virtual instructor-led. The content is identical in all versions, and all three offer the hands-on lab to develop practical awareness of the solution and its application. All the training can be completed in just four days, preparing the learner at once for certification.
Learn More
Check out the extensive overview of the Dell PowerProtect Data Manager.
Learn more about the Dell Technologies Education Services PowerProtect Data Manager training offerings.
Sources
- Drive Data Innovation to Create New Value, Dell Technologies
- The Digitalization of the World: From Edge to Core, IDC, Nov. 2018
- Go from AI-possible to AI-ready, Dell Technologies
