What is the IBM Cloud Pak for Data and how does migration work?

The demands placed on modern data landscapes are increasing rapidly. More and more systems, higher data volumes, stricter compliance requirements and the pressure to use data intelligently are presenting companies with new challenges.

If you already use IBM DataStage or want to modernize your ETL processes in general, Cloud Pak for Data (CP4D) is the right platform for you.

IBM Cloud Pak for Data offers comprehensive functions such as data integration, AI-supported analyses, automation and secure data management. The platform combines various services and enables a flexible, scalable architecture for a wide range of applications.

At FIDA, we primarily work with DataStage and support companies with migration and application. CP4D's platform approach enables you to operate DataStage more efficiently, flexibly and future-proof - regardless of whether your infrastructure is organized on-premises, in the cloud or hybrid.

As an IBM platform, Cloud Pak for Data supports the company-wide integration, organization and analysis of data, ensuring seamless data processing across system boundaries. This is precisely why so many companies are currently planning to make the switch. Let's take a look at the features, benefits and why you should consider making the switch.

Why is a changeover necessary now?

IBM has continuously developed its DataStage product family over many years. However, as with many software solutions, support for older versions ends after a certain period of time. This means that companies are required to switch to the latest versions in order to continue to receive security, updates and technical support.

Support for individual releases has already been discontinued. Users are advised to switch to newer versions or to modern, cloud-native versions such as IBM Cloud Pak for Data.

If you would like to check which of your versions are currently still supported, you should contact us! Have you already decided to make the switch? Then we are the right partners for your Data Stage migration and will provide customized training to ensure that your team is able to use the system properly.

How can FIDA help with the migration?

The switch to Cloud Pak for Data is an important step that should be well planned and professionally accompanied. FIDA supports you with comprehensive expertise in all aspects of IBM DataStage migration. To get your team up and running quickly, we offer practical introductory training courses that teach the basics of DataStage. For users who already have experience and want to use the full range of functions of the new platform, we also offer specialized migration training. This ensures that your organization is optimally prepared for the new platform operation, both technically and professionally.

How companies benefit from IBM Cloud Pak for Data

The use of a flexible, integrated data & analytics platform that already includes machine learning and AI functions has been proven to give companies a clear competitive advantage. Many are aware of this, but in practice they still face challenges that often slow down or even prevent a modern analytics landscape. These include scattered data silos, a multitude of sources that need to be brought together for reliable decisions, a lack of AI expertise or different platforms in cloud and on-premise environments on which important information is distributed.

IBM Cloud Pak for Data (CP4D) addresses precisely these issues. The platform helps you to reduce complexity and make your data processes significantly more efficient. CP4D covers the entire DevOps lifecycle and adapts flexibly to the requirements of your company. You can use the solution on-premises, managed in the private cloud or in the public cloud. Numerous preconfigured services make it easy to get started and data from almost all sources - whether internal or from clouds such as Google, AWS or Microsoft - can be seamlessly integrated.

With CP4D, you get a platform that strikes a sensible balance between effort and cost while giving you maximum flexibility, agility and data efficiency.

The advantages at a glance

• Minimum effort with maximum flexibility, agility and data efficiency

• High scalability, strong performance and strict security

• Optimum use of scarce resources such as personnel and capital thanks to AI support

• Integrated, scalable data and AI platform for comprehensive data management

• Support for various cloud services for maximum flexibility

• Seamless integration of heterogeneous data sources

• Data can be used and analyzed anywhere - regardless of storage location (on-premise, cloud, hybrid)

• User-friendly interfaces for different users

• Cost efficiency through flexible set composition of components and reduced infrastructure costs

• Various licensing and deployment models for individual requirements

• Compliance and data protection

• Ensuring and improving data quality through integrated monitoring and checking mechanisms

• Relief for data engineers

• Dissolution of data silos, structured organization and comprehensive management of all data sources

• Integration of Watson Studio

What cost and quality benefits does IBM Cloud Pak for Data (CP4D) offer?

If you want to accelerate data processes and reduce costs at the same time, IBM Cloud Pak for Data offers you a very clear basis for this. The platform makes a significant contribution to reducing operating costs and improves data quality through automated monitoring and ensuring consistent data.

Thanks to the integrated data virtualization and the many self-service functions, teams can work faster without having to constantly set up new ETL routes or manage complex infrastructure.

How can IBM Cloud Pak for Data be used?

The platform enables the integration of various data sources and simplifies access to relevant information. IBM Cloud Pak for Data provides you with a wide range of preconfigured services - from AI and analytics, dashboards, data governance and industry solutions to data source connectors and developer tools.

You can use the platform flexibly in different cloud environments and use data anywhere - regardless of where it is stored. The solution supports users of all experience levels and optimizes work processes through automated workflows.

This allows you to implement many data-driven use cases immediately. Below you will find some tried-and-tested deployment scenarios that deliver high added value to companies particularly quickly.

Data warehousing & data transformation

A company that is growing rapidly and taking over several new business units is often faced with the challenge of merging different systems, databases and reporting structures. Data virtualization layers from IBM enable you to do just that. Different data silos, storage locations and formats can be merged into a common view with high performance. The platform supports efficient data movement and the integration of various data sources, so that data from different silos can be consolidated without physical relocation.

The platform also significantly simplifies data access. This relieves the burden on data engineers in particular, as manual tasks are reduced and data integration and provision are automated.

If you want to implement a classic enterprise data warehouse, CP4D also supports you. ETL processes become more efficient, cheaper and easier to maintain. For the subsequent analysis and visualization of the data, you can work with IBM Cognos Analytics, which is an optional component of the platform.

For specialist users: the AI self-service "AutoAI"

Many companies want to use AI to improve forecasts or make data-based decisions - but often lack specialized data scientists. This is exactly where AutoAI comes in. AutoAI supports companies with automated data discovery and data analysis in order to efficiently identify relevant patterns in large volumes of data.

Business users simply select the relevant data. AutoAI automatically checks different model approaches, evaluates their strengths and weaknesses and provides you with a finished result.

Different models are tested to achieve the best results for different use cases. This gives you an immediately usable basis for decision-making that can be integrated directly into processes without the need for in-depth AI expertise.

Quickly from zero to one hundred together: The end-to-end AI solution platform

If you want to standardize the work of your analytics teams, CP4D offers a central platform that serves as a common development and operating environment for different user groups and supports the optimization of work processes. It enables data scientists, business analysts, data engineers, controllers, business users and app developers to organize and comprehensively manage all relevant data sources in a structured manner.

This specifically breaks down data silos, accelerates collaboration and enables AI applications to be rolled out much faster across the company. This leads to a significantly higher penetration of AI throughout the entire company.

Making optimum use of scarce resources

Almost every company has to make efficient use of limited resources - be it personnel, time, materials or capital. CP4D helps you to optimize this use of resources based on data. The platform therefore increases the efficiency of work processes, reduces operating costs and delivers measurable, positive results for your company.

Summary of functions:

With IBM® Cloud Pak for Data, you get a modular platform that helps you to collect, organize and efficiently evaluate data. The solution combines integrated software components for analysis, data management and governance - either as a self-hosted installation or as a managed service in the IBM Cloud.

CP4D enables you to break down data silos and use data across locations without having to move it around. At the same time, you ensure that data protection and usage guidelines apply consistently to all data.

Thanks to customizable interfaces - whether code, no code or graphical canvas views - users of all skill levels can work with Cloud Pak 4 Data. Based on a data fabric architecture, CP4D connects distributed data sources across hybrid cloud landscapes and thus increases the productivity of your teams.

How do the licensing models work and which modernization bonus applies to existing IBM customers?

If you are already using IBM solutions and want to switch to Cloud Pak for Data, you will benefit from a modernization bonus. The platform offers various licensing and deployment models that can be flexibly adapted to different requirements - whether on-premise or cloud-based. You can also choose from a set of modular services to put together your individual system landscape in the best possible way. Licensing is based on the workload of the respective services.

Conclusion: Use the right time now and migrate successfully with FIDA

Migrating to IBM Cloud Pak for Data offers you the opportunity to modernize your data landscape. The platform combines data management, analytics and automation in a flexible environment that adapts to your requirements - whether on-premises, in the cloud or hybrid. By migrating, you will achieve measurable results in terms of data management and decision-making, benefit from a positive user experience and increase the concrete benefits for your company. The choice of Cloud Pak for Data is a decisive decision for the future viability of your data landscape.

To ensure a smooth transition, FIDA supports you at every step of the DataStage migration: from analyzing your existing DataStage and data architecture to planning the optimal target environment to full implementation and productive operation. You benefit from in-depth IBM expertise, proven migration methods and solutions that exactly match your business requirements.

If you want to take the next step towards a future-proof data platform, we will accompany you reliably - efficiently, securely and with a clear focus on measurable added value.