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NoSQL database Use case & scenarios - BangDB
Published on Dec 15, 2021

Use Cases and Scenarios Suitable for a NoSQL Database Technology

As you start to think about database solutions for your business, you’ll come across different ways to store and manage data.

Use Cases and Scenarios Suitable for a NoSQL Database Technology

Wherever you are starting from, you have to consider which type of database technology makes the most sense for the needs of your business. 

The NoSQL database is a powerhouse of a management solution best suited for businesses working with a lot of unstructured data in huge volume and in real-time.

If you’re a small business with a low volume of structured data, and if you don’t need the ability to manipulate data in real-time, then you’ll find relational databases (or even just an excel spreadsheet) can be a better option, although not always.

To explore other types of databases, check out this article where we cover both spreadsheets and relational database solutions. Now, let’s dive into some of the different scenarios that might call for the nearly limitless power of a NoSQL database.

NoSQL Database Use Case Number One: Scaling Up

Some businesses always remain small. Others grow to the moon and beyond. Imagine what Amazon was like when it started. They had a limited inventory because their operation was tiny. Over time, Amazon grew much larger.

Today, Amazon has warehouses all around the world. Their inventory is massive, and they operate with so many moving pieces and at such a scale, that trying to accommodate wide-scale inventory adjustments using a relational system would be virtually impossible. Thankfully, Amazon is a smart business. The company is built on a cloud computing solution that scales with them as they grow.  

With NoSQL, businesses can easily manage inventory systems at scale regardless of how large and complex they become. 

But what if you don’t have inventory? Even if you only have a large user base, a challenge could arise as your business grows. If you operate a platform that manages many users daily, then over time, you will find you need a solution to easily call up specific user data quickly.

Managing hundreds of thousands or even millions of users with a relational database would take light years. Relational systems have to read every entry line by line to find and return the requested data, so by the time the system finds the targeted dataset, users are usually long gone.

NoSQL on the other hand takes an entirely different approach by working with unstructured data so that queries run fast, and data can be retrieved quickly no matter how much data is contained within the system.

NOSQL Database

NoSQL Database Use Case Number Two: Real-Time Data

Building from the scenario above, imagine if Amazon couldn’t provide order data to customers instantaneously. In a world where people demand instant results, using a relational database leads to an absolute catastrophe.

The good news is, that non-relational systems operate with such speed and efficiency, that user data can be searched, retrieved, and returned to the end-user almost as fast as they can request it.

If you expect to provide information to consumers regularly, and if you plan to have a lot of people using your platform or service, then you absolutely must use some form of NoSQL to manage your data because the alternative leads to the downfall of your business.

Since there are different types of NoSQL databases, we’ve broken down the storage options to give you an idea of how each type works and when you might want to use one over another. Some are faster than others, so you’ll want to explore your options before choosing a service provider.

Returning user data instantly is one use case. Another scenario occurs when you think about the overarching consumer experience.

Relational databases aren’t particularly useful for creating personalized experiences because they are too slow. When you want to offer personalized advertisements or other engaging and interactive platform elements, then you’re looking for a power found only within NoSQL.

NoSQL Database Use Case Number Three: Affordability

Probably the most sensible reason why businesses turn to NoSQL is affordability. Just because you’re growing an enormous company doesn’t mean you have to settle for enormous costs. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens when you work with relational databases. 

Relational Databases Are Expensive

Some companies worry that upgrading their database will come with endless expenses. The truth is, outdated relational systems cost far more to manage than what you can save by migrating to NoSQL. This happens because relational databases weren’t designed for the cloud. They were built for a different times and to handle different needs.

It’s kind of like how you wouldn’t expect a computer from the early 90s to play a modern PC game. Not only would the older computer not handle the game out of the box, but you would have to rebuild the old computer from the ground up to make it possible.

NoSQL Was Built for the Cloud

Non-Relational databases were created for the internet of things (IoT). Their design works within cloud computing systems which makes them extremely flexible, scalable, dependable, and therefore, affordable. 

When you upgrade to NoSQL, you are making the move to a modern solution that isn’t just designed to handle the challenges of today but also is adaptable for the needs of tomorrow. 

Instead of rebuilding from the ground up, your team can quickly institute solutions while minimizing costs, so even if you invest cash during the migration phase, you end up saving a lot more over time.

That said, if you were to use BangDB’s open-source NoSQL technology, then you could start completely free, and you would save a lot more.

NoSQL Database

Is NoSQL Right for You?

What do you value in business and within your operations? If you need to move fast, provide users with an extremely reliable, engaging, or personalized experience, or if your business has large-scale operations or is likely to grow quickly, then NoSQL is probably the right choice for you. 

If you are a small business working with a limited amount of data that is mostly structured, and if you don’t need 24/7 availability or quick recall of information and datasets, then relational technology is still a viable option. 

However, even small businesses can benefit from NoSQL solutions when they want to bring the power of cloud computing into their services. For instance, if you wanted to offer an app for your customers, part of your business could remain on a relational system while your app is developed using a non-relational solution to maximize speed, minimize costs, and deliver the best possible user experience.

After considering your options, if you find that NoSQL is the right choice for you, then BangDB has a powerful, affordable solution with a range of storage options that extend beyond other providers. Click here to explore our NoSQL technology for your business completely free.

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