DBTA E-EDITION
January 2026
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Trends and Applications
In the year ahead, there will be signs of significant transformation at data sites. AI is the driver of change, of course, but it goes deeper, promising to reshape operations, security, customer interaction data, and a host of other functions. To explore the possibilities, we canvassed leaders across the industry on the changes they see ahead in the data world.
Data managers are on the hook to deliver AI and intelligent agents to the enterprise when needed. To achieve these capabilities, they are working within diverse and decentralized data environments while addressing challenges by building AI-powered systems and applications.
What's ahead for data analytics during the next 12, 24, or even 36 months? This area of business technology has seen sweeping changes in recent times, largely thanks to the rise of accessible AI. And with it, there has been a concerted movement toward integrating the tools and platforms that deliver and support analytical applications—be they predictive, AI, or pattern matching.
Columns - Database Elaborations
Words such as "taxonomy" and "ontology" are often thrown around by data architects as if these terms were interchangeable. Generically, the ideas of taxonomy and ontology are similar, but not synonymous.
Columns - DBA Corner
For all the enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and cloud modernization, one fundamental truth continues to surface: None of it works well without high-quality data. It may not be as glamorous as generative AI or as buzzy as vector search, but data quality remains the quiet engine behind operational stability, analytic accuracy, and strategic decision-making. And yet, despite decades of warnings, many organizations still treat data quality as an afterthought.
MV Community
Traditional reporting demands a significant level of manual effort that slows decisions, delays strategy, and drains resources. The future of planning isn't built on heavy lifting, instead it's built on AI that not only removes the manual work but also gives agencies the ability to anticipate trends, spot patterns, and forecast what's coming next, according to Entrinsik.
The increasing adoption of AI-driven analytics, cloud, rising data volumes from Internet of Things devices, and the demand for real-time business insights is contributing to an even larger demand for big data. MV leaders including Kore Tech and Revelation Software continue to make an impact and again top this list.
With 2026 right around the corner, organizations are planning to make strategic moves that will position the company for a successful 2026. Kathy Larson, senior manager, product marketing at Rocket Software, outlined several key areas to watch out for.