A Breakup Letter to Data Warehouses

Dear Data Warehouse,

We have been trying to make it work for a long time, some would say too long, and it’s just not working anymore. I want to say “it’s not you, it’s me”, but actually – it is you. You have too many issues that make working with you limited and challenging. It’s time for me to find a new way.

You’re limited

When we started working together, a place for all my structured data was the only thing I needed. But now, I have grown past you. In order for my data teams to innovate with data science and machine learning, I need to work with unstructured and semi-structured data too, and you can’t support me in this. Staying with you would mean I’ll fall behind while others move forward. It’s just too limiting, I can’t take it.

You lock me in

I don’t know how to say this lightly, but I want to work with other systems. Your proprietary lock-in just means that you are gaining, while I am losing. The world is moving to be more open, and I need to too.

You’re expensive

Lastly, you’re too high maintenance - and it’s hurting my wallet. I have other priorities and can’t invest all my budget in you alone, especially when there are better alternatives out there. Since keeping costs low is extremely important, and efficiency matters, you’re just going to have to go.