Following Global Trends, Indonesian Businesses are Increasingly Leveraging Data to Enhance Operational Efficiency and Competitiveness

Data is no longer merely a supporting tool; it has become a key driver in making smarter and more strategic decisions. According to an OmniSci report, data centers in Indonesia are projected to grow by 11 percent over the next five years. However, a major challenge faced by local businesses is optimizing data utilization to gain deeper insights.

Historical Data: A Roadmap to Strategic Decision-Making

Historical data plays a crucial role in business transformation. It includes information from various sources, such as social media posts, emails, inventory records, and financial reports. By analyzing historical data, companies can understand past patterns to predict future trends, identify problems, and optimize operations.

The advantages of historical data include:

1. Enhancing Daily Operations
   Historical data allows for real-time operational adjustments, improving efficiency and meeting customer needs more effectively.

2. Long-Term Research Efficiency
   This data complements market analysis to see the bigger picture, reduces costs, and eliminates inefficient processes.

3. Risk Prediction and Mitigation
   By understanding past risk factors, businesses can mitigate potential losses in the future.

However, the value of historical data diminishes over time. Therefore, it is essential to categorize the data into:

• Hot data: Frequently accessed and stored on fast hardware like flash drives.

• Cold data: Rarely used and stored on low-cost storage platforms.

Historical Data Implementation: Case Studies

The application of historical data has proven successful across various sectors. Here are some examples:

1. Public Transportation
   Operators can analyze historical data to identify peak hours, enabling them to adjust fleet numbers optimally.

2. Culinary Industry
   Restaurants can determine the best times to promote certain menu items based on customer purchasing trends, such as offering coffee and pastries when consumers are most likely to buy them.

3. Manufacturing
   With historical data, companies can identify product defect patterns to prevent similar issues in the future.

Maximizing Potential with Big Data Solutions

According to Emtec Digital, optimizing the use of historical data requires a structured strategy and the right software. Key steps include:

1. Mapping a Strategy
   Define business goals to be achieved with historical data.

2. Identifying Focus Areas
   Concentrate analysis on areas with the most significant business impact.

3. Collecting and Analyzing Data
   Leverage technologies like machine learning and big data analytics to gain deep insights.

By synergizing historical data and technology, businesses in Indonesia can make faster decisions, improve efficiency, and stay relevant to the ever-evolving needs of their customers.

Data: A Pillar of Sustainable Business Growth

Data is not just a digital asset; it is a vital pillar in building a sustainable business future. Now is the time for Indonesian businesses to take concrete steps in optimizing the potential of historical data for more significant growth.