In our last blog post , we introduced the concept of Change Data Capture (CDC)—a powerful approach for tracking and replicating changes in data sources in real time. We discussed its importance for modern data architectures, enabling businesses to bridge the gap between operational systems and analytics platforms.
Today, we’re diving deeper into how CloudHorizon Consulting INC (CHC) implemented a CDC solution for a retail giant using AWS services. We’ll walk you through the technical details of the project, the value it delivered, and how similar solutions can transform other industries.
Real-Time Inventory Management: A Retail Use Case
Our client, a leading retail chain, struggled with delayed inventory updates caused by a batch-based ETL process. With millions of transactions flowing through their systems daily, these delays led to frequent stock-outs, inefficient replenishment, and missed sales opportunities.
To solve this, we designed and implemented a CDC pipeline using AWS tools that ensured near real-time synchronization between their transactional database and data warehouse. Here's how we did it:
Step-by-Step Implementation
Step 1 : Capturing Database Changes with AWS DMS
- We used AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) (a fully managed service for database migration and replication) to continuously capture changes—such as inserts, updates, and deletes—from the client’s PostgreSQL database.
- This allowed us to stream database changes without interrupting their day-to-day operations.
Step 2 : Processing Real-Time Data with Amazon Kinesis
- Changes were streamed to Amazon Kinesis Data Streams (a real-time data streaming platform) in JSON format.
- Using AWS Lambda (a serverless compute service), we applied transformation logic to enrich the data with key business attributes like product categories, store locations, and urgency.
- Kinesis handled parallel data processing, ensuring scalability to manage high transaction volumes during peak hours.
Step 3 : Storing and Analyzing Data with Amazon Redshift
- The enriched data was loaded into Amazon Redshift (a fully managed, high-performance cloud data warehouse) via AWS Glue (a serverless ETL service for data preparation) which was scheduled to run in a near real time basis.
- Redshift enabled real-time querying and analysis, powering interactive dashboards that displayed inventory levels, sales trends, and replenishment needs.
- To visualize the data, we integrated Amazon QuickSight (a cloud-based BI tool), allowing managers to access actionable insights anytime.
Step 4 : Automating Alerts with Amazon SNS
- Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS) (a messaging and notification service) was configured to send alerts to the supply chain team whenever inventory for high-demand items fell below critical thresholds.
- This automation triggered timely replenishment orders, minimizing manual interventions and delays.
Implementing CDC with AWS
The Impact
This CDC-powered solution delivered remarkable results:
- 25% reduction in stock-outs, ensuring better product availability for customers.
- 15% improvement in operational efficiency, thanks to automated and proactive inventory management.
- Real-time analytics improved demand forecasting, optimizing inventory levels and boosting customer satisfaction.
Cross-Industry Applications of CDC
While this implementation was for a retail client, CDC solutions can bring immense value across various industries:
- Healthcare: Ensure synchronized and up-to-date patient records across hospitals.
- Finance: Monitor real-time transactions to enhance fraud detection systems.
- Manufacturing: Track production updates to optimize supply chains and minimize downtime.
- E-commerce: Enable dynamic pricing and personalized shopping experiences through real-time customer behaviour insights.
What’s Next?
AWS offers a robust suite of tools for implementing CDC, but what about businesses operating in Azure environments? At CloudHorizon, we’re exploring how Azure tools like Data Factory, Event Hubs, and Synapse Analytics can deliver similar solutions.
Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we’ll cover CDC implementation on Azure and how it stacks up against AWS.
At CloudHorizon Consulting INC, we’re passionate about helping businesses harness the power of data. If you’re curious about implementing CDC or transforming your data architecture, let’s connect!
