The Other Side of the Coin: How Big Data Makes Life Better for Consumersb

To put it simply, real-time database replication entails synchronizing data between two or more databases, or the process in which data is instantaneously copied to one or more locations as it is being generated from its source system. In this term, the idea of “real-time” is relative to the slight time lags incurred while data is being copied—this time lag, which can take from several seconds to several minutes, is called data latency. Nowadays, software companies find themselves on the move to close gaps in data latency and to move data across systems in faster, safer, and more efficient ways.

The benefits of real-time database replication is obvious to the businesspeople who avail of such solutions. Companies no longer need to make decisions based on traditional “batch” systems of data; with the real-time technology, they can commit to a wider customer base and therefore gain an edge over their competitors.

But what about the other side of the coin? Just how much of a difference can real-time database replication make on ordinary lives—i.e., on the side of consumers? How does the ease of bidirectional or multi-directional data replication in a company’s service system improve the lives of its customers?

Here’s our short list of ways that big data makes life better for consumers.

• Less downtime on services. Real-time database replication efficiently moves data across systems, which means that it is easy to acquire backups, and also easier to avoid system overloads. This means that consumers who depend on these services won’t suffer from the cost of downtime, and therefore save time and money.
• Getting important messages in real-time. This technology enables the receipt of log-based data capture in real-time. It’s important that an efficient data system be able to manage real-time updates with minimal impact to the system. This is the kind of database system that enables consumers to receive important messages through email or social media in real-time, for example if there is a change in their flight schedule.
• Ensured recovery and security of their data. Real-time database replication is the kind of technology that grants consumers peace of mind. Companies should be able to assure customers that their data is safe and recoverable in the case of damaged servers, glitches in the system, or cyber-attacks.
  
• Ensured efficiency among satellite branches. Database replication software is a boon to public or private institutions with several satellite branches, as the system’s files can be distributed from office to office, or among offices to a central location. This mechanism of automatically mapping data between its source and destination helps each satellite office access the same data sets in real-time. That means that they can provide consistent service to customers all throughout, and that customers can expect a uniform service delivery standard from the brand.
• Quicker response from institutions in case of emergency. This technology does not only close the gaps between provider and consumer in the commercial industries. It is also an essential tool for lead government agencies to serve their constituency. These concerned agencies can harness the replicated data to assess impact, and then launch nuanced responses to traffic accidents, or to natural disasters. It also ensures that in times of catastrophe, important constituent data is not completely lost, and will have been copied and backed up to another server.

Real-time data analytics is a field whose impact may be somewhat “invisible” to consumers. It’s hard to comprehend how fast and how efficiently data can move across systems, all in the blink of an eye. Regardless, real-time database replication is one of those seams that holds us all together, as we navigate the real-time challenges of the 21^st century.