Transforming Data Operations at Compra Agora with Databricks

Compra Agora, the first B2B platform for retailers in Brazil, recently adopted Databricks to transform its data operations. This transition resulted in significant productivity gains compared to Azure Data Factory (ADF), thanks to the platform's enhanced flexibility and scalability.

The Need for Change

Previously, our team faced challenges processing large volumes of data. While ADF efficiently moved and orchestrated data, it fell short in optimizing execution times and supporting complex, real-time analyses.

Key Challenges

1. Low Scalability: Processing slowed down and costs increased as data volume grew.
2. Management Complexity: Maintaining ADF workflows was time-consuming, limiting team responsiveness.
3. Data Quality Issues: Integrating multiple data sources was inconsistent, complicating strategic decision-making.

To stay competitive, we needed a solution that offered agility, parallel processing capabilities, and seamless integration. That’s when we turned to Databricks.

Why Databricks?

Choosing Databricks was more than a shift in platforms—it was about meeting the need for performance, efficiency, and simplicity. Here’s what made Databricks the right choice:

• Scalability: Databricks enables near-infinite scaling of ETL and analytics processes, avoiding the resource limitations of ADF.
• Parallel Data Processing: With Apache Spark, we reduced data processing time by over 40%, boosting team productivity significantly.
• Seamless Integration: Databricks integrates easily with Azure services and other platforms, streamlining workflows and driving innovation.
• Data Democratization: The new architecture promotes data access across the company, fostering a data-driven culture.
• Unity Catalog: Centralized metadata management supports data discovery, tracking, and governance, ensuring all teams have access to reliable information.
• Delta Live Tables: Automated, real-time pipelines reduce manual effort and ensure that analytics are always up-to-date and accurate.

Results After Implementation

The migration to Databricks delivered immediate, tangible results:

• Faster Data Processing: Execution times were reduced, allowing marketing and sales teams to access actionable insights much faster.
• Cost-Effectiveness: By reducing resource requirements for data processes and eliminating bottlenecks, we optimized costs across operations.
• Efficiency Gains: Automated processes and real-time pipelines reduced manual workloads, increasing team productivity.
• Eliminated Silos: Centralized data access improved collaboration across departments, accelerating strategic decision-making.
• AI & Machine Learning Enablement: Databricks unlocked new opportunities for advanced analytics and innovation that weren’t feasible with ADF.

Conclusion

The adoption of Databricks marked a pivotal transformation for Compra Agora, enhancing our ability to handle large data volumes, increasing operational agility, and laying a solid foundation for future growth. Tools like Data Catalog and Delta Live Tables optimized governance and automated pipelines, ensuring real-time reliability and efficiency.

This modernization of our data infrastructure has become a key driver of our competitiveness, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, enabling us to innovate and respond to market needs faster than ever before.