Only a fool would stand in the way of true progress. Cliche as it may be, the statement “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results” is arguably true in the world of systems and databases that organizations utilize. The entire market consists of what we call point solutions. Point solutions are siloed compositions of back end structures,point solution data models and point solution front-ends. It is not a fault or blame that this is what it is. It has been the explosive revolution in technological capabilities, data and transformation to a digital age that has allowed this to happen.
The result of this structural technological reality or what can be called traditional, or today’s standards has resulted in a dilemma that many are trying to rectify. Entrenchment of what are now traditional standards has many technology and data providers scrambling to construct ways to mitigate this entrenched structure. Expediency, urgency, new fads such as AI are driving resources in attempts to change this entrenched structure.
A problem with this is understanding. When there is a problem or dilemma that should be addressed, identified, and dealt with, understanding what it is and acknowledging it is the first crucial step in the process. One can argue that changing today’s standards of point solution structures requires true understanding of how the structures are designed, how the structures came into being over four or more decades, and what the flaws in the structures are. One can not begin the process of mitigation without knowing and understanding this in its entirety. The next steps once armed with the knowledge is what it takes to transform to a new, better standard that is mutually beneficial for organizations, their employees, their clients, and societally. In other words, progress. Think about it.
