Data is an important factor in any business nowadays. We search everything on Google and generate millions of queries every day. Collectively they become a powerful source of data and a brand can identify future trends, make better business plans, and take proactive actions in favour of their business. It all can be done with the right analysis of the data.
Google operates a Google Cloud Platform (GCP) that provides a myriad of cloud computing services and BigQuery is one of them.
So, let’s learn more about BigQuery and its usage.
What Is GCP BigQuery?
Google Cloud Platform’s BigQuery is a serverless data analytics platform that helps brands analyse large amounts of data and produce insightful results which assist them in making managerial decisions. People can use BigQuery without any virtual machines to use it, it automatically allocates computing resources as per the user’s requirements. Its objective is to collect, analyse, and present data. One can also create slots in BigQuery to store compute capacity for future usage.
Organisations can comfortably use BigQuery to organise and analyse data securely.
Google follows a hybrid pricing model for BigQuery and it
Features Of BigQuery
Machine Learning
It is an artificial intelligence-infused technology that can predict results and upgrade itself by learning human behaviour. It is a complex technology and one of the prominent features of BigQuery. It can help you generate large results and customise them accordingly as per your preference.
Business Intelligence
Business intelligence is the term used for technologies or software that help businesses make insightful decisions based on their generated reports, charts, graphs, and dashboards. It analyses the business data and helps management in making informed decisions.
Geospatial Analysis
Geospatial Analysis generates data analysing geographical information, location data, high-resolution imagery, computer vision, spatial data, and more to generate structured results helpful for certain industries and businesses.
Why Should You Use BigQuery?
BigQuery is a useful tool for businesses, there are many reasons for using it, such as;
Zero Infrastructure Management
BigQuery doesn’t require any kind of infrastructure management of your own. Google has its supercomputers, large space for data storage, and the most advanced technology that you could ever acquire to perform your task. A person just needs to subscribe to BigQuery to enjoy all its benefits.
High Performance
BigQuery uses a powerful engine to answer any query, it has a scalable and disturbed analysis engine while allowing terabyte queries in seconds and petabyte queries in minutes.
Separate Layers
Segregation of duties is important in any technology to perform operations better. BigQuery has separate layers for the storage and computation of data. The storage layer conducts actions like ingesting, storing and optimisation of data. The compute layer handles all analytics-related work. This work process produces efficient results.
Limitations Of BigQuery
BigQuery also has certain limitations, such as:
Hard To Operate
BigQuery is a complex technology for non-tech people, even tech-knowledge people will find it difficult to operate on the first time. It is important to learn BigQuery wisely to generate the desirable results.
Costly For Small Businesses
Small businesses often suffer from low research budgets, it is important to understand that BigQuery has a hybrid model and only limited features are available free of cost. To utilise its full potential, clients need to pay a fee, which may be unaffordable for new/small businesses.
How To Use BigQuery?
Using BigQuery can be understood with these simple steps:
- The first and most basic step is to create a Google Cloud Platform account by visiting www.console.cloud.google.com/ and logging in.
- You will see multiple cloud services and select BigQuery Among them.
- Create a project and upload all necessary details to create a workspace.
- After creating a workspace, you can connect with the BigQuery service.
- Now it is time to create a data set in BigQuery, click on Create a data set and one can upload it in multiple formats such as JSON, Avro, CSV, and more.
- After creating the data set, now run your query in an SQL format, one needs to be familiar with SQL format to use BigQuery.
- Users can present their query results in multiple ways using visualisation tools and share them with other people as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BigQuery Free?
It is not completely free, you can use its limited features without paying any cost. If you are a user, then you can also use Google credit money, as of writing, Google is providing free $300 credit to utilise on new accounts, it can change in future, check their website for new limits.
What Is The Cost Of Using BigQuery?
The cost of using BigQuery varies on multiple factors and project requirements. BigQuery lets users use its services on two price models, pay per-use and fixed price model (ideal for big projects)
Conclusion
The right analysis of data helps us to make insightful decisions for an enterprise. The internet is filled with AI platforms claiming to help you with their technology, but we all know how efficient Google is. BigQuery is a serverless data analysis platform that helps businesses to make the right decisions. In this post, we discussed details about BigQuery – powerful data analytics for mass storage and analysis.
