How Do We Know If We Are Ready for Data Virtualization?

Since helping launch the data virtualization market in 2006, I have interacted with thousands of organizations. A common question across these conversations is “How do we know if we are ready for data virtualization?”

What these organizations are really asking is: “When do we know if our existing data integration tools are holding us back?” Socrates and other great philosophers encourage us to “look within to find our answers,” however, I’ve found the best way to answer this question is by asking another – in fact, several.

I would argue that data virtualization adds a key set of missing capabilities to an organization’s data integration toolbox, and without it, chances are your organization is not reaching its full potential. A claim like this requires deeper questioning, wouldn’t you agree? Let’s explore further.

We all understand the first principles of data integration: data exists in silos; integrating it adds value; but integrating it is difficult. It requires business and technical understanding, skilled resources, infrastructure, tools, and time – all of which are dear in today’s competitive environment.

As such, organizations are smart to consider anything that reduces data integration time and resources. Forrester conducted a Total Economic Impact™ study to evaluate the financial impact of investing in the Cisco Data Virtualization solution, and concluded organizations can achieve up to 346% ROI.