- Modern data analytics cover a wide range of tools and frameworks besides traditional SQL-based analytics, leading to the need to transform traditional data warehouse solutions into data platforms. In this paper we focus on ecosystem integration, query performance and ease-of-use as key differentiators. We spotlight capabilities we introduced into our analytical database system Actian Vector with respect to these differentiators and highlight challenges we faced when applying research ideas to a production-ready system. The described capabilities cover ecosystem integrations with Apache Spark and a containerized services framework, cost model optimizations for robust query planning and several features to improve usability and manageability of the system.
