Data streaming visualization - why is it necessary?

We’ve all heard of data streaming. And we’ve all heard about data visualization. We’ve covered both of these topics in our blog posts on our website and here as well. But, with the uprising importance and benefits of data streaming comes the need for data interpretation and presentation through visualizations.

With Kafka and Spark as the frontrunners in data streaming, it’s integral to implement tools that can take real-time data and put it into perspective for the end user. All is well when you have access to raw data, or even calculated metrics and insights, but we all know that having this information outlined in visual form can bring more benefits to various users.?

Of course, in most cases, it is easier to visually present static data or data from batch processing. Dynamic data from streaming is constantly in motion and therefore poses a challenge in having real-time visualizations that change at the same rate as data.?

But, as more and more companies employ data streaming as an integral part of data processing, the need for such visualization arises as well. So, why, are visualizations important? What can you gain from combining real-time data and visualization tools??

Easier real-time data interpretation - We all know that when something is directly outlined, it’s easier to perceive. In huge amounts of data, it is easy to misinterpret or even miss valuable information. With data visualization, all data collected or generated at the moment can be presented in a way where users can simply understand what’s going on.?

Quicker reactions to micro and macro influences - With data streaming and direct access to current data, users can act on it more swiftly. With internal and external micro and macro influences and changes, business operations always hang in balance. On-time responses to such changes are make-it-or-break-it moments. With visualizations, users spend less time searching through data, and more on acting on it.?

Optimal decision-making based on visual representations - By introducing visual aspects to data, key findings are presented to users, thus reducing the clutter and information that is not vital to other certain users. Visual representations of real-time data or even real-time KPIs make for optimal decision-making and taking actions on things that matter the most.?

Better user experience - If we look at data visualizations beyond business users, we can all agree that end-users of data-based digital products get more satisfaction and better experience when interacting with data that comes in visual forms, like maps or charts.?

Easier reporting on current business operations status - If real-time data is instantly ready for reporting through visualizations, it’s much quicker and easier to present that data and those findings to other stakeholders or team members. It gives a comprehensive overview of business operations and their status.

Quicker information, metrics, and insights delivery - Decluttered and visually appealing data can be delivered more quickly across different departments. It’s far easier to automatically share KPIs and metrics in a graph or chart than to deliver sheets of data that have to be processed by the user.

Where does data streaming visualization come into play? There are many use cases where visualizations of real-time data can take the focus, especially in business operations that generate or collect huge amounts of data.

Current trends and patterns identification - Spotting trends and patterns in real-time means that users can form the whole picture of current events. Identifying occurring events can help prevent negative influences or spot new opportunities. Also, it’s much easier to see a trend if it's graphically presented as on the rise or decline in graphs, rather than through numbers.?

Resource management - With real-time visualization, it’s more efficient to recognize the expenditure of resources, and how and where they are spent. This way some resources can be allocated to where they are needed most and cut from where there is no use for them. This leads ultimately to cost optimization.?

Fraud detection and prevention - Data graphically presented in one place can help prevent risky situations and issues in everyday operations. Real-time data helps identify those situations more quickly. Fraudulent activities are noticed instantly before they do too much damage to business organizations.?

Goals and KPI monitoring - It is more optimal and efficient to constantly keep track of goals and KPIs to evaluate the level of success in reaching them. Graphically, users can spot whether their actions resulted in achieving the goal. Also, KPI movement is more easily observed if it happens in real-time and not after an event occurred.?

Crisis management - When and where to take action when a crisis occurs is the ultimate question. It is also important to recognize threats or discrepancies on time. With great amounts of data, it is often hard to see what can pose a negative influence on business performance. Through visualizations of data, as it comes in, it’s more effective to perceive risk-inducing factors.

Customer support - Excellent customer support depends on providing the right information at the right time. This is where data streaming comes in handy. But, when customers expect feedback in an instant, visualizations help providers give the information more swiftly.

With the world, and data for that matter, moving so fast, it’s imperative to stay on top of things. Data streaming is set to have a large impact on all industries and its proper utilization will depend on great data visualizations. Already we were witnesses to how data streaming and real-time data change our view of businesses and their operations.

#data #datadetectives #datavisualization #datastreaming