Data Placement Analysis

The purpose of data placement analysis is to define business needs for access to ministry data which will guide both the placement of data on ministry data management servers, and the selection of technology needed to access the data.

 

Background

Until recently(last two or three years) there was little need to make decisions on what server(platform) and what technology would be used for developing ministry business applications. The ministry had developed a corporate data repository on a central platform(VM) where most new business data and applications were held.

 

 

With the placement of data management servers(LANs) throughout the province, and developing/maturing of new technology to manage data and build applications(eg. central vs distributed data, data replication, client/server, DRDA, etc.), the decision of where to place ministry business data and what technology to use for accessing the data is no longer clear -- we have choices!

 

What drives the decisions?

Two sets of factors need to be analyzed in determining the data location and technology mix that will satisfy the business needs. Business Factors defining the ministry's data access needs must be investigated and documented. Technology Factors showing the mix of technology which will best satisfy the business needs must be determined and documented.

 

What is available to help?

The ministry Data Administration group has developed a Data Location Framework to help determine and document factors. The framework looks in detail at several business factors and some technology factors. It requires some serious thinking about business needs for data which will guide technology decisions in a changing world.

 

Who is involved and when?

• Business experts from the application business area will provide business factor answers. They bring a complete understanding of the business function being addressed.
• Data Administration staff will assist the business experts in understanding the framework and analyzing the business factors.
• Application Development and Data Base Administration staff(with support from other ISB staff) will make technology choices to satisfy the business needs.
• Completion of the data placement analysis is done early in the Requirements phase of application development.