Data Management and AI: How Saudi Companies Drive Value and Efficiency in the Data Era
Q: The report highlights “data reuse.” How can this seemingly simple concept create substantial value and efficiency for Saudi organizations?
A: Data reuse allows a single data source to serve multiple purposes, reducing duplication and costs while fostering collaboration. Splunk’s report found that it reduces redundant data collection and storage, encourages collaboration across departments, and accelerates insight generation. By enabling organizations to apply the same data to different use cases, it supports cost-efficiency and increases the return on data investments.
Q: What role does “data tiering” play in optimizing storage costs and data access speeds for large data volumes common in the Kingdom’s industries?
A: Data tiering is a key strategy for managing the cost and performance of large-scale data environments. It involves classifying data based on usage frequency and business relevance, storing high-use data on faster, more expensive infrastructure, and moving infrequently accessed data to more cost-effective storage. Splunk found that 50% of adopters rank cost reduction as the top benefit, and it also supports faster access to the most valuable data.
Q: “Data federation” is mentioned as a powerful tool. How can Saudi organizations, with diverse data sources, benefit from its full implementation?
A: Data federation enables accessing and analyzing data from multiple, disparate sources as a single dataset without moving it. The report highlights its impact: 67% of adopters report faster data access, 54% see improved data governance, and 47% report better compliance. For organizations managing distributed or siloed data, federation enhances agility, ensures governance, and helps meet regulatory requirements without adding infrastructure complexity.
Q: What distinguishes “data management leaders” in the Splunk report, and what lessons can Saudi companies draw from their success?
A: Data management leaders stand out by fully implementing three core capabilities: data federation, pipeline management, and lifecycle management. These are not isolated improvements, they collectively enable consistent, secure, and accessible data flows across the organization. As a result, leaders report measurable gains in business performance, including improvements in sustainability initiatives (58%), faster innovation cycles (55%), and enhanced resilience in operations and cybersecurity.
Q: How do data management and AI form a “symbiotic relationship,” particularly relevant as Saudi Arabia invests heavily in AI?
A: The report underscores that effective data management is essential for AI success. 85% of organizations agree their data strategy provides the volume and variety needed for meaningful AI insights. In turn, AI enhances data management by automating processes, accelerating insights, and improving data quality control. This mutual reinforcement creates a cycle of continuous improvement in both areas.
Q: For Saudi businesses looking to “get their data house in order” in the AI era, what are the actionable recommendations from this report?
A: The report outlines clear steps:
- Know and classify your data to align with business use cases.
- Keep your data clean, as accuracy is foundational for AI outcomes.
- Access data without moving it, using technologies like federation.
- Adopt a unified platform approach to gain visibility, reduce complexity, and support scalable data operations.
These actions help establish a robust, future-ready data environment that supports both operational needs and AI innovation.
