Page 194 - Data Architecture

Chapter 5.1: The Siloed Application Environment

Fig. 5.1.1 Siloed applications.

So, what are the problems that eternally escalate in the face of siloed applications? There

are many.

Maintenance. Once an application is built, it needs constant maintenance. And over time, the need for
maintenance never de-escalates. The completion of one maintenance project spawns three other new
projects for maintenance. And as there are more applications that arise, the need for maintenance grows
exponentially.
Integrity of data. It is one thing to have data. It is quite another thing to have data that can be believed.
Multiple siloed applications breed disintegrity of data. Marketing says we are losing money. Finance
says we are breaking even. Sales says we are making money. Who to believe is like drawing straws.
One day, we believe one source. The next day, we believe the next source. And nobody is saying the
same thing as anyone else. Who to believe is a constant political battle within the walls of the
organization. The problem is not in having data. There is plenty of that. Instead, the issue becomes
which data to actually believe. Making good corporate decisions becomes difficult in the face of data
that cannot be believed.

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