Data Management Glossary
Data Mobilization
Data mobilization is the ability to move, copy, or access data across different data storage environments, on-premises, cloud, hybrid, or multi-cloud, without disrupting user or application access or functionality.
In practice, this means moving data where it makes the most sense:
- Based on cost (e.g., cold data to lower cost cloud storage / object storage) See data tiering.
- Based on performance needs (e.g., active data to fast local SSD)
- Based on regulatory, backup, or analytics requirements
Data mobilization, sometimes called data orchestration, is not just about migrating data, but intelligently orchestrating its movement while maintaining visibility, control, and usability.
Why is Data Mobilization Increasingly Important for Unstructured Data Management?
Unstructured data (files, images, videos, logs, sensor data, etc.) now accounts for over 80% of all enterprise data, and it’s growing rapidly. Here are a few reasons why data mobilization is critical to an unstructured data management strategy:
1. Cost Optimization
Vast volumes of cold, or infrequently accessed, data are sitting on expensive high-performance NAS or primary storage. Mobilizing this data to lower-cost storage tiers (e.g., Amazon S3 Glacier, Azure Cool Blob, or on-prem object stores) can reduce costs by 70% or more.
2. Storage Lifecycle Management
As enterprise IT infrastructure is increasingly hybrid and multi-cloud, a modern data mobilization strategy require data tiering, data archiving, data replication, or cloud bursting. Data mobilization ensures data can move freely through its lifecycle without vendor lock-in. Read the path to the cloud without lock-in.
3. Cloud Adoption & Hybrid Strategy
Enterprises need to move data into, across, and out of clouds for backup, DR, AI/ML, or collaboration. Data mobilization supports this fluidity without manual overhead or re-architecting applications.
4. Compliance & Governance
Regulatory rules (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) may require data to be moved or deleted from certain locations. Data mobilization enables faster response to such needs.
5. AI/Analytics Readiness
Data needed for training models or running analytics often resides in silos. Data mobilization enables preparing and staging data in locations suitable for processing.
Komprise Solutions for Data Mobilization
Komprise offers a policy-driven, transparent data mobilization framework tailored for unstructured data management. Key data features include:
Transparent Move Technology (TMT): Moves data (e.g., cold files) to cheaper storage without breaking file paths or user access. Users and apps still see and access moved data via symbolic links or stubs—no retraining or reconfiguration needed. See Dynamics Links.
Policy-Based Tiering: Komprise admins can set policies to automatically move data based on:
- Last accessed date
- File size
- File type or path
- Custom tags or metadata
Read the white paper: File Level Tiering vs. Block Level Tiering.
Read the Guide to Unstructured Data Tiering.
Deep Analytics to Drive Action: Komprise uses a metadata catalog to surface what data should be mobilized and where. Users can simulate cost savings before executing tiering or migration.
Cloud-Native and Cross-Vendor Support: Komprise mobilizes data across:
- On-prem NAS (NetApp, Dell EMC, etc.)
- Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP, Wasabi, etc.)
- Object storage and archive tiers (S3, Glacier, Blob Archive, etc.)
Data Migration Projects: For full data migrations (e.g., vendor replacement), Komprise offers a high-performance migration solution with integrity checks, cutover planning, and progress dashboards. Read our Guide to Unstructured Data Migration. Learn more about Elastic Data Migration.
Smart Data Workflows: Mobilized data can be used to feed cloud-native tools for analytics, backup, or compliance scanning. Komprise allows automation of downstream actions once data is moved.
Data mobilization is essential for managing the spiraling cost, risk, and complexity of unstructured data growth in the enterprise. Komprise is an analytics-based, non-disruptive platform to move the right data to the right place at the right time, turning data sprawl into strategic opportunity.
