Discover the power of real-time data with Mikko Ollila, a leading expert in data platforms at Kesko, Nordic's top retailer.
Modular architecture with standardized development patterns enables his team to deliver value to business operations and the wider ecosystem, including consumers. Listen and learn Mikko's tips for managing the complexity that comes with using the latest best-of-breed technologies.
Real-time data in retailing and in Kesko's business ecosystem is driving a shift from traditional linear business models to an ecosystem approach where actors can interact in real time or near real time. This helps to provide information to the various participants in the ecosystem without unnecessary delays. This shift also enables real-time visibility into processes, such as logistics. It also includes consumers visiting stores, suppliers and partners. The benefits are operational efficiency, cost effectiveness and an even better customer experience.
To support this real-time retail, Kesko is extending its central data platform with a modular architecture. Initially, the development costs will be higher, but it will be worth it.
We've built the data platform in a modular way because we know that technologies are evolving very quickly at the moment and there has to be a way to change the pieces of the puzzle if that's what's needed."
It is a conscious decision to extend the centralized data platform to support real-time use cases, in addition to reporting and analytics, even though this adds some complexity. It is also important to have the ability to perform complex data processing on the fly, as well as operational analytics and situational awareness.
Complexity is manageable and inevitable, so embrace it.”
Kesko drives reusability by implementing standard development practices and patterns in a multi-team, multi-vendor environment, inspired by the "data mesh". For Kesko, data reusability is a key objective.
We are very much into the reusability of data. Instead of doing it just once for a specific use case. Whenever we implement solutions on the data platform, we use it in a way that ensures reusability in the future."
One of the key assets that enables the reusability of data is what Kesko calls the Data Development Handbook, which is a very comprehensive documentation on how to develop on the data platform. It is a guide that we can give to any development team so that they can do the development themselves.
With the Data Development Handbook, we can standardize development so that the data product is reusable. If there's another use case in a few months or a year and the same data is needed, the team can simply tap into the existing data product. “
Key factors in ensuring that these data products work effectively are consistency through standards, data management practices, the establishment of a centralized data catalogue and the maintenance of comprehensive metadata covering both business and technical aspects.
One additional role that we have now identified with the data product approach is that in addition to the more traditional data owners, we also need data product owners. They ensure that the business requirements are met and prioritize the further development of the data product".
Mikko Ollila visits Data Insiders, the #1 data podcast, to share his experiences and insights on how to build successful data ecosystems. Listen to the episode now.