Revolutionizing Telemetry Analytics: A Nationwide Endeavor
In my role at TELUS, I embarked on a pivotal project tasked with creating a cutting-edge telemetry analytics platform. This platform needed to handle real-time data streams from over 100,000 set-top boxes scattered across Canada. The primary goal was not merely to manage the sheer scale of data but to empower teams to swiftly make operational decisions, elevating the experience for millions of customers.
Upon diving into the project, it became evident that our existing data infrastructure was a significant hindrance. Outdated systems were impeding the flow of critical data to the teams that depended on it the most. To address these challenges, we devised a strategy centered around leveraging the capabilities of Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Apache Airflow, and Infrastructure-as-Code tools. These technologies would not only overcome our current obstacles but also pave the way for a resilient and adaptable solution.
The Predicament: Unveiling Ancient Bottlenecks and Blind Spots
Before initiating our transformation journey, our operations were heavily reliant on siloed and batch-driven data pipelines. These legacy systems proved inadequate for supporting real-time analytics, giving rise to several pressing issues:
- Data Silos: Our data was fragmented across disparate systems, leading to inefficiencies in data processing and analysis.
- Limited Scalability: The existing infrastructure struggled to cope with the increasing volume of data generated by the expanding network of set-top boxes.
- Delayed Insights: The batch-oriented nature of our pipelines resulted in delays in data processing, hampering our ability to respond swiftly to emerging issues.
Addressing these challenges required a holistic approach that encompassed not only technological upgrades but a shift in our operational mindset. By embracing modern tools and methodologies, we aimed to not only resolve existing bottlenecks but also future-proof our analytics platform for scalability and agility.
Stay tuned for the next installment, where we delve into the strategies employed to modernize our infrastructure and propel our telemetry analytics platform into the realm of real-time intelligence.