DataOps Takes CIOs by Storm

Arik Hesseldahl wrote recently in CIO Magazine, DataOps is a new category that is taking shape, one defined by companies focused squarely on solving debilitating data friction challenges. The ‘data friction’ conversation among CIOs is picking up, as evidenced at the recent CIO 100 Symposium in Colorado where a number of the world’s largest organizations and industry insiders gathered to discuss the next wave of transformation to get faster outcomes.

In one CIO 100 keynote address, Delphix CEO, Chris Cook, presented the compelling need for DataOps and along with StubHub CIO Marty Boos, discussed the business impact a DataOps approach and platform had in scaling the world’s largest ticket marketplace (watch the full conversation here). The level of transformation StubHub has been able to deliver on its mobile customer experience is tremendous, and Marty made it clear that a great deal of their success began when he realized that the first step was to rethink the traditional data management model and the way his teams operated.

Through a DataOps approach and platform, they were able to boost application development times 10-12x to an astounding 2500 releases a year (with the goal to get this number to 10k!) The ability to ensure the right data is delivered to the people that need it, when and how they need it, has been a major key to helping StubHub be agile to address market requirements.

DataOps was also the featured topic in a dynamic breakout session where there was open dialogue about the challenges of data growth and the impact data friction has on business outcomes. Rick Hopfer, CIO at Molina Healthcare, was joined by Chris Kohl, CIO at Vertex, Inc., and spoke about the benefits of using new platforms to open up access and close debilitating data gaps in teams. Hopfer shared with other CIOs, "Through DataOps, Molina was able to eliminate data friction."

Executives acknowledged that they need to make a change in their approach to data, and that the issues of data friction is something that keeps them up at night. They know the legacy tools and techniques they have been using will likely result in more technical debt and lagging projects in the future. Companies need to be open to going on the journey to evolve and disrupt themselves with new methodologies and new platforms. Just ask Marty Boos, Rick Hopfer and Chris Kohl.