Teradata to Snowflake migration has become more popular than ever, all thanks to the auto-scaling capability of Snowflake. However, you must follow a strategic approach to migrate data from one platform to another.
If you’re in the world of data management, you’ve probably heard of Teradata and Snowflake. These are two robust database management systems that have revolutionized the way organizations handle and analyze their data.
In this article, we’ll delve into what Snowflake and Teradata are and explore the reasons why you should consider migrating from Teradata to Snowflake. We will also provide you with a step-by-step migration plan on how to execute a successful migration.
What is Teradata?
Teradata is a popular and long-standing on-premise Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). The data warehousing solution has been widely used in enterprises for decades.
The Teradata Database system is based on Massively Parallel Processing (MPP) architecture. It divides the workload evenly across the system by splitting tasks among its processing and running them parallel.
It is known for its scalability, parallel processing capabilities, and robust data analytics features. Teradata has helped many organizations handle massive amounts of data efficiently and gain valuable insights for strategic decision-making.
What is Snowflake?
Snowflake, on the other hand, is a relatively modern cloud-based data warehousing platform that has gained rapid popularity in recent years. It’s built from the ground up for the cloud and offers a unique architecture that separates storage and computing, allowing for seamless scaling and optimization.
Snowflake’s elastic scaling and pay-as-you-go pricing model have made it an attractive choice for organizations seeking a modern and flexible data management solution. It is built on AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure, and GCP (Google Cloud Platform), which offers an unbounded platform for storing and retrieving data.
Why Migrate from Teradata to Snowflake?
If you’re still using Teradata, you might wonder why you should even consider migrating to Snowflake. Well, there are several compelling reasons to plan the migration from Teradata to Snowflake:
Cloud-Native Architecture: Snowflake was purpose-built for the cloud. This means it takes full advantage of cloud infrastructure, offering virtually unlimited scalability and performance optimization.
Cost Efficiency: Snowflake’s pay-as-you-go pricing model ensures that you only pay for the resources you consume. It charges nearly $1 a day per terabyte of storage, leading to potential cost savings. On the other hand, Teradata charges you both for storage and computing power.
Easy Migration: Snowflake lets users migrate to the cloud easily. You can connect third-party services and products to Snowflake using a plugin. Hence, it eliminates building third-party API integrations.
Performance: Snowflake’s unique architecture and separation of storage and computing deliver excellent performance. This is especially important for complex queries and large datasets.
Concurrency: Snowflake excels at handling multiple users and concurrent workloads effectively. Hence, it ensures smooth operations even during peak times.
How is Snowflake Better than Teradata?
It’s essential to understand what specific features and functionalities make Snowflake stand out compared to Teradata. Below are a few reasons to opt for data migration to Snowflake without a complex process.
Separation of Storage and Compute: As mentioned earlier, Snowflake’s architecture separates storage and compute. Hence, it allows independent scaling of each component. This architecture enhances performance and provides better cost control.
Instant Data Sharing: Snowflake’s secure data-sharing capabilities enable the seamless sharing of data with external partners, vendors, or other business units without the need to move or copy the data.
Zero-Copy Cloning: Snowflake allows for instant and space-efficient cloning of entire databases or individual tables. The cloud data platform makes it easier to create and manage development and testing environments.
Time Travel: With Snowflake’s time travel feature, you can access data at different points in time. It enables easy data versioning and recovery without the need for complex backup and restore procedures.
Data Sharing Economy: Snowflake’s Data Marketplace provides access to a vast array of external data sources. It allows you to augment your data and gain deeper insights from a diverse range of datasets.
If you want to migrate data from SQL to Snowflake, read our guide on ‘5 Things To Consider Before Any SQL To Snowflake Migration’ for a successful migration.
How to Migrate from Teradata to Snowflake?
Migrating from Teradata to Snowflake might seem like a daunting task. However, with strategic planning and execution, it can be a smooth and rewarding experience. Here’s a step-by-step migration strategy to help you through the migration process:
Step 1: Move your Data Model
Begin by thoroughly analyzing and understanding your existing Teradata data model. Identify the tables, views, stored procedures, and other database objects that need to be migrated. Consider the necessary changes to adapt the data model to Snowflake’s structure.
Step 2: Setup Snowflake Account
If you haven’t already, sign up for a Snowflake account and set up your Snowflake environment. Create databases, schemas, and other objects required to accommodate your data model.
Step 3: Migrate Existing DDL Scripts
Next, convert your existing Teradata Data Definition Language (DDL) scripts to Snowflake-compatible syntax. This process involves adjusting data types, constraints, and other database-specific elements.
Step 4: Create New DDL Scripts
For features and functionalities unique to Snowflake, such as time travel, data sharing, and zero-copy cloning, create new DDL scripts to implement them in your Snowflake environment.
Step 5: Load Data from Teradata
Once the database schema is ready, it’s time to migrate the data. Use Snowflake’s data-loading utilities or third-party tools to move your data from Teradata to Snowflake. Ensure data integrity and accuracy during the transfer.
Teradata to Snowflake Migration With Experts
Migrating from one data warehouse to another is a critical undertaking that requires expertise and careful planning. Consider engaging with experienced data migration consultants or Snowflake experts to guide you through the process and ensure a successful migration.
Moving from Teradata to Snowflake can unlock a world of benefits for your organization, from improved performance and scalability to cost efficiency and ease of management. With the step-by-step guide provided in this article, you’re now equipped with the knowledge to migrate data confidently.
If you’re apprehensive about how to execute Teradata to Snowflake migration, consider taking advantage of expert assistance. At Inferenz, we have a team of specialists who are keen to help businesses migrate their data from one data warehouse platform to another.
