Blog

The Role of Databricks Architecture in Data Engineering

Since it was founded in 2013, Databricks has revolutionised enterprise data management and analytics. Built on Delta Lake, an open source storage format, the set of data engineering tools it prides itself on processing enormous amounts of data, then transforming them into datasets that are primed for exploration via machine learning (ML) models. At Oakland,…

Can You Improve Data Quality Without New Tools?

When was the last time you did a data quality check? If you’re struggling to remember, know this: the cost of poor data quality to organisations is almost $13 million on average every year, according to Gartner. It’s an eye-watering figure! Whether you ran a quality exercise last month or last year, the importance of…

How Does Data Management Help People Take Ownership of Data?

When we talk about data management, we’re looking at how an organisation collects, processes, organises, and maintains data. An efficient and robust data management system is at the core of organisations whose processes run effectively and align with their target operating model. However, achieving data management best practice can be challenging, meaning opportunities to streamline…

What is Data Platform Architecture?

What is Data Platform Architecture? Is your data architecture designed to ensure scalability, reliability, and long-term success? We know that organisations are increasingly investing in data platforms to bring their data together in a world driven by data. And while this enables you to gain the insights you need to make better business decisions based…

How Microsoft Fabric is Reshaping the Enterprise Data Platform

At a recent Oakland event co-hosted with Microsoft, we had the pleasure of welcoming Chris Webb, a seasoned Microsoft Fabric expert and member of the Fabric Customer Advisory Team. Chris ran a session exploring Microsoft Fabric in full, answering: Below, we round up the insight Chris shared during the informative session – a must-read if…

Plugged In or Left Out: The UK’s Readiness for Generative AI

Generative AI is no longer a geeky tech term only technology enthusiasts or industry trendsetters are interested in. It has entered the c-suite boardroom and strategic roadmaps of enterprises, promising transformative possibilities across every sector. Yet, as Oakland’s recent report, Plugged In or Left Out, reveals, the UK’s journey towards meaningful adoption of generative AI…

Why Is Data Important for Business?

Businesses rely on data to make informed decisions, measure performance, and drive continuous improvement. Whether it’s improving operational efficiency, shaping business strategies, or enhancing customer experiences, understanding and utilising data is key to long-term success. At Oakland, we believe that data is not just a useful tool but a critical element in every aspect of…

Data Governance in the Age of AI

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising industries, many organisations embark on ambitious AI projects with the hope of driving efficiency, automation, and competitiveness. However, a significant portion of these projects falter due to foundational data challenges. According to Gartner, by 2025, 30% of generative AI projects will be abandoned due to poor…

Target Operating Model: Delivering your Business Strategy

Chances are that your organisation’s operations are under constant pressure to stay competitive. At the heart of the transformation required to align your business operations and your business strategy successfully is the Target Operating Model (known as a TOM to its friends) – which is used as a strategic framework to describe your business capabilities…

What is Agentic AI?

Here at Oakland, we’ve been talking about our Intelligent Agents for quite some time. Now, it seems everyone from Gartner to Microsoft is with us, except we have a new name: agentic AI. And it’s Gartner’s top tech trend for 2025.  But what is agentic AI? In its simplest form, the term describes semi-autonomous machine…

What is the Role of Data Governance in AI? Should You Even Care?

 Data Governance is having a moment or, at the very least, is about to. Governance was one of the key topics discussed in the opening address at the recent Gartner IT symposium. Obviously, it goes without saying that the main topic was Artificial Intelligence and Agentic AI. But before we get carried away, here’s some context…

Should you Adopt Microsoft Fabric as your Data Platform?

As Microsoft Partners; here at Oakland we’re being asked by more and more clients if Microsoft Fabric could help them to drive better more profitable outcomes from their data? Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-fabric Microsoft Fabric has been out on general release for a while now and is increasingly seen as a serious alternative to a bespoke Data…