NoSQL databases — also known as document databases — have become standard in enterprises around the globe. Who uses NoSQL? Hundreds of Global 2000 companies, including the major public cloud providers. Over the last 10 years, the number of NoSQL use cases has exploded along with exponential growth in the volume and variety of corporate data.
There are virtually no limits to the available document database use cases. Consider NoSQL for ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). With PDFs, image files, audio files, metadata, and more now considered essential corporate intelligence, the traditional relational ERP database has begun to look like a relic; The NoSQL data model is helping to fill the gap. The upgrades don’t stop there. But before we get into the top applications of NoSQL databases, let’s first review why NoSQL is gaining traction.
Why NoSQL, and Why Now?
First, let’s talk about the basic difference between relational database management systems (RDBMS) and document-oriented NoSQL databases. Schema and structure set them apart. Originally created in the early 1970s, the relational data model relies on a strict schema built for tabular data organized in columns and rows. By contrast, NoSQL databases store documents using JSON and may also use key-value schemes to retrieve information quickly.
Improvements in data management in recent years have dramatically improved the speed and query capabilities of most NoSQL databases, accelerating their inherent scale advantages. Unlike the more linear, fixed relational data model, NoSQL systems are built to run across multiple servers and horizontally scale to process vast amounts of information concurrently. In today’s environment, where multimedia data sits alongside spreadsheets as essential corporate data, the ability to store, process, retrieve, and analyze inherently heterogeneous data sets at scale is a must. High-performance, scalable NoSQL databases were built for the moment we’re in.
The Top 10 Enterprise Use Cases for NoSQL
Below is a guide to the top 10 enterprise NoSQL use cases we’re seeing in the market today. We based the list partly on formal survey data compiled a few years ago and partly on current conversations with customers and prospects. The top 10 are:
- Personalization
- Profile Management
- Real-Time Big Data
- Content Management
- Catalog & Inventory
- Customer 360 View
- Mobile Applications
- Internet of Things
- Digital Communication
- Fraud Detection
These enterprise use cases include overviews, the business and technical requirements, the solutions, customer highlights, and customer spotlights. If any of these use cases reflect a need you have or anticipate having, we encourage you to read on and learn how NoSQL solutions can help you.
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