October, 2024
Organizations that can effectively leverage their data are the ones leading the charge in innovation, efficiency, and customer experience. At Link, the journey into data transformation has been one of continuous growth, adapting to the changing needs of our clients and embracing the latest technologies to deliver cutting-edge data solutions.
From the Big Data project in 2018 to the latest advancements in Generative AI and Microsoft Fabric in 2024, our evolution in this area has been nothing short of remarkable. As we continue this path, our focus remains steadfast on providing the best in Data Architecture & Engineering, modern Data Governance, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), and analytics solutions that empower businesses to make data-driven decisions faster and more effectively.
The evolution of Data at Link: A timeline of innovation
Our story begins when we embarked on our first major Big Data project in the financial sector using Hadoop during 2018. Since then, it has been marked by several key milestones:
- 2019: We executed our first fully cloud-native data project, marking the beginning of our momentum in cloud adoption. This was also the year of our first Lakehouse project, a pivotal moment in our data transformation journey.
- 2020: A year of experimentation and proof-of-concept projects, as we explored how data solutions could be leveraged for innovation. Major clients were already embracing an “all-in-cloud” strategy, allowing us to implement complex data architectures at scale.
- 2021: With cloud scalability becoming a necessity, our AI use cases began to take flight. We saw the power of cloud-driven data architectures come to life, allowing us to further solidify our expertise in this area.
- 2022: We embraced emerging concepts like Data Mesh, modern Data Governance, and MLOps. This marked the start of our exploration into the modern data landscape, laying the groundwork for future innovations.
- 2023: A breakthrough year, as we implemented our first projects in Data Mesh and modern Data Governance. Our scaling capabilities were put to the test as we expanded our offerings in these critical areas.
- 2024: With the introduction of Microsoft Fabric, we took another leap forward, integrating FinOps, Synthetic Data, and CoPilot into our data solutions. Our focus on augmented analytics and AI-driven insights has positioned us as leaders in the field.
The data circle: A comprehensive approach to data solutions
Our approach to data solutions can be visualized as a three-legged approach: Advanced Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Foundations. These pillars form the base of our data strategy, enabling us to deliver comprehensive offerings across industries.
- Advanced Analytics: Our team develops robust analytics frameworks that allow businesses to derive actionable insights from their data in real time. Whether through self-service BI platforms, data visualization tools or enterprise-level analytics solutions, we empower organizations to accelerate decision-making and uncover hidden patterns.
- Artificial Intelligence: AI is no longer a separate function, it’s deeply embedded in our data architectures. We utilize AI to accelerate time to insights, streamline data preparation, and enhance analysis. Our commitment to Enterprise Copilots ensures that large language models (LLMs) and internal data are seamlessly integrated for rapid, accurate decision-making.
- Data Foundations: Our flagship service is Data Architecture & Engineering. We build modern data platforms that serve as the backbone for our clients’ data strategies. From Lakehouses to Data Mesh architectures, we design solutions that ensure data governance, security, and scalability, enabling organizations to innovate confidently.
AI everywhere: The future of data solutions is AI-driven
Looking ahead, we see AI and data becoming indistinguishable. As enterprise copilots and AI agents become a standard across industries, the role of the data engineer will evolve to include AI-powered tools that optimize data pipelines and automate tedious tasks. Generative AI will be integrated into every facet of data analytics, bringing about augmented analytics that not only accelerate time to insights but also improve data accuracy and preparation.
Data Governance, once a separate discipline, will soon be intertwined with AI to ensure that data used in AI systems is accurate, reliable, and secure. This shift will create new opportunities for organizations to harness the full potential of their data assets while safeguarding their integrity.
Real-world impact: How Link is transforming businesses with data
Our commitment to innovation and excellence has allowed us to partner with some of the biggest names in industries such as banking, retail, and insurance. Here are a few examples of how we’ve helped transform businesses with data solutions.
- Major Portuguese Bank: Implementing a Lakehouse with Microsoft Fabric
In this project, we designed and implemented a data analytics architecture that has revolutionized how the bank manages data. By leveraging the real-time and analytics capabilities of Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Fabric, we provided a framework that enhanced data enrichment, intelligent automation, and overall data management. The platform now enables the bank to react faster and make smarter decisions based on real-time insights. - Leading Portuguese Bank: Data Mesh and Virtualization
For this major bank, we designed and implemented a Data Mesh and virtualization architecture, enabling departments like HR and marketing to access and analyze data more effectively. Powered by Azure and Starburst, it democratizes data access across the organization, allowing various teams to generate insights and make data-driven decisions without the bottlenecks typically associated with centralized data systems. - Retail Leader: Overcoming Data Bottlenecks with a New Data Strategy
We worked with one of the largest retail companies in Portugal to assess and redesign their data architecture. Our solution addressed bottlenecks in their current platform, streamlining operations and setting the stage for future AI-driven innovations. By modernizing their data infrastructure, we positioned the company for growth and enabled them to harness the full power of their data. - Major Portuguese Bank: Automating Data Model Mapping with AI
For this leading Portuguese bank, we implemented a cutting-edge AI system that automates the process of mapping legacy data models to the bank’s new data architecture. This solution eliminates countless hours of manual work, facilitating more efficient reporting and data understanding. By integrating AI into this process, we’ve helped streamline and modernize how the bank manages and processes its data. - Leading Cosmetics Distributor: Financial Data Analytics Across Global Stores
A major player in the luxury cosmetics sector required a modern data analytics platform to handle financial data from their stores worldwide. Partnering with ConsultiaIT, we designed and implemented a solution that ingests financial data from SAP and calculates key financial KPIs, including P&L, using Azure, AWS, and Snowflake technologies. This modern data platform now enables the distributor to generate future insights. - Global Financial Services: Self-Service BI for the Insurance Industry
For an international financial services provider and using Oracle and Microsoft Power BI, we designed a cloud-based Data Analytics & BI platform that empowers the company to track key performance indicators (KPIs) across sales, risk, compliance, and finance. By integrating this self-service BI solution, the client can now make faster, more informed decisions that drive business growth.
The future of data at Link
As we continue to expand our data solutions, we remain committed to staying at the forefront of innovation. Our ongoing work with Microsoft Fabric, Generative AI, and augmented analytics ensures that we’re well-positioned to meet the growing needs of our clients.
As the ancient philosopher Socrates once said, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building on the new.” This timeless wisdom perfectly encapsulates our claim to fame – constantly engineering next-gen technology solutions.
If you’re looking to transform your business with data solutions, we’re here to help. Let’s talk and explore how we can turn your data into meaningful insights and drive your organization forward.
