Data Science at Work
7 things to consider when selecting tech for data teams
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When it comes to data modeling and analysis, a professional data science workstation is a world away from the standard PC. The differences go beyond just power and include software solutions, specific components, and a range of other elements that make data science more fluid, cost-effective, and secure.
Read on to see the edge that true data science workstations can give you versus a standard PC.
Software Stack
Save time with a preloaded data science software stack
Data scientists rely on version management and a specific range of software tools—making sure these tools are compatible can pose a considerable challenge, even for experienced data scientists. Those companies preloading data science workstations with a version- managed software stack are preventing a great big headache and enabling productivity from day one.
Data science with a standard PC
Hours of installing, configuring, and dealing with software version management impedes data scientists’ work, leads to downtime, and can become a problem for IT.
42%
Of data scientists say that configuring their environment takes too much time.1
Data science with a Z workstation
With essential software preinstalled and version controlled, data scientists can get to the fulfilling parts of their jobs from the start.
“All I had to do was turn on my workstation and get started right away.”
Ruchi Bhatia
Data scientist at OpenMind, graduate student at Carnegie Melon University, and a Z by HP Data Science Ambassador2,3
Speed
Achieve unthrottled speed and performance in the most demanding workloads
Data science work can be massive. It’s going beyond terabytes well into petabytes now, and while CPU and GPU power is not the only story, it makes a difference. A recent case study described how Z customers reported a 150 times boost to processing speeds after they transitioned a large project from their old workstation to an HP Z8 workstation. And they were working with 20 petabyte files, so the difference was tremendous.4
Data science with a standard PC
The kinds of PCs deployed across companies work well for typical business users, but they disappoint during resource-intensive data science workloads. When standard PCs cannot deliver the performance necessary, data scientists must rely more heavily on the cloud.
41%
Of data scientists say they must break down tasks due to limited compute.1
Data science with a Z workstation
With up to 56 cores of scalable Intel® Xeon® processors5 and next-generation NVIDIA RTX™ Ampere-based professional GPUs,5 the Z8 and other Z data science workstations are made to withstand heavy usage. Data scientists can run complete models without downsampling, which improves the discovery process with a continuous supply of analytical power.
“I have a Z8 workstation. It’s a monster. I have terabytes of memory. [Comparing it to an ordinary PC] is like comparing a regular car to a jet fighter.”
Firat Gonen
Head of data science and analytics at Getir, and a Z by HP Data Science Ambassador3,6
Cloud Costs
Choose workstations that reduce your cloud bill
The field of data science may run on imagination, but cloud costs should not. Cloud expenses may lead businesses to consider maximising data science workflow efficiency and optimising cloud usage. Encourage the cloud enthusiasts at your company to keep costs predictable using a supplementary local hardware solution.
Data science with a standard PC
It’s not fun to wake in a panic wondering if you remembered to power down your virtual machine on the cloud. Data scientists know how easy it is to rack up a huge bill due to a minor oversight.
54%
Of data collection and management is done on the cloud compared with 44% on local computers.1
Data science with a Z workstation
Compared to the cloud, data science workstations can provide a quicker, more cost-effective way to run time-consuming workloads. This financial predictability restores control over the IT environment and gives users more options so that they can pick the most time- and cost-saving route.
“Before Z, I usually preferred cloud solutions, and it made the whole thing very pricey. It becomes pricier and pricier every day, considering all
these foreign exchange rates.”
Firat Gonen
Head of data science and analytics at Getir, and a Z by HP Data Science Ambassador3,6
Trouble-Shooting
Access troubleshooting and diagnostic support whenever you need it
Data teams are happy to call on IT when things go wrong, but sometimes they don’t know what they don’t know. Having the guidance of an expert is an asset to both departments: Data scientists get round-the-clock support from staff who intimately understand their work, and IT pros get a reprieve from responding to unfamiliar, complex technical problems.
Data science with a standard PC
When faced with a technical issue, most data scientists turn to computer support groups or try to figure it out themselves. Because typical user groups aren’t familiar with data scientists’ needs, they often get stuck trying to fix something that would take an expert little time.
What slows down and gets in the way of everyday work?1
Data scientists say:
37%
Hardware needs
35%
Software needs
Data science with a Z workstation
Dedicated support from HP’s experienced staff helps preserve IT’s sanity and erase downtime from data scientists’ workdays. With a crew of experts who understand the mission of data scientists, specialists can quickly and easily get the relevant information they need.
“If I have any issues with any of the Z by HP solutions that I’m using, I know exactly who to call. They’re informed about the data science lifecycle and process. They can help me diagnose these things. That level of support is, in my mind, unparalleled.”
Ken Jee
Adjunct professor at DePaul University, head of data science at Scouts Consulting Group, and a Z by HP Data Science Ambassador3,7
Mobility
Taking data science
capabilities anywhere
Mobility is critical in the new work world. That’s especially so for data scientists, who work spontaneously, logging in from anywhere to run models and train datasets whenever inspiration strikes them. Their computers must enable fluid, productive collaboration with colleagues, without exposing any of the sensitive data they work with.
Data science with a standard PC
Among the standard PCs powerful enough to handle data science, few are mobile enough for today’s work-from-anywhere approach. And the alternative of connecting to the cloud for an out-of-office work solution presents serious cost and security issues.
37%
Of data scientists say the technology they have makes work more difficult.1
Data science with a Z workstation
The remote access solution from HP and Teradici provides a security advantage over others by transmitting only the pixels. This keeps sensitive intellectual property off the web, freeing up users to work fluidly and collaborate as they please, enjoying consistent, highly secure access to their powerful workstation from any device or system—even a smartphone.
“Z by HP remote solutions help me to access my workstation remotely from a lower-powered desktop or laptop, so I don’t actually have to be at home to run my data science experiments.”
Ruchi Bhatia
Data scientist at OpenMind, graduate student at Carnegie Melon University, and a Z by HP Data Science Ambassador2,3
Security
Security that takes care of itself
Data scientists at your company likely run through terabytes, even petabytes, of data in a day, much of which contains sensitive, personally identifiable information or intellectual property. Looking after the security of dozens of open-source tools and libraries (which may not be approved by IT) is not a topic on which data scientists are focused or even especially knowledgeable. Instead, their computers should do the heavy lifting regarding security so the data scientist can get back to making discoveries.
Data science with a standard PC
Data scientists—who aren’t usually security experts—are often left to fend for the security of their open-source software, remote connections, and more. Tasking these data specialists with the responsibility for their own system security can increase the risk of a breach.
73%
Of data scientists want to see extra security measures taken to keep their data secure on the cloud.1
Data science with a Z workstation
Z workstations are designed to meet the most stringent security requirements. That’s why organisations with stringent security standards—like NASA—use it. Z keeps everything native and prevents data exposure, while the HP and Teradici remote access solution shields intellectual property.
“I am someone who hates to think about security. I like to think about data science. The fact that HP is focusing so much on security and taking care of the things I don’t want to be thinking about—I can rest a lot easier.”
Ken Jee
Adjunct professor at DePaul University, head of data science at Scouts Consulting Group, and a Z by HP Data Science Ambassador3,7
Software Flexibility
Navigate from Windows to Linux in seconds
Windows and Linux®5 are both useful operating systems but with different strengths. Linux provides compatibility with utilities and applications specific to data science, while Windows provides security, manageability, and business tools like email and collaboration applications. With Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2),8 data scientists gain the best of both worlds and can seamlessly switch between operating systems on the same workstation.
Data science with a standard PC
Without a workstation equipped with WSL 2, many data scientists resort to having two entirely different devices, or dual-booting, to have the benefits of both Windows and Linux.
43%
Of data scientists say the interruptions they experience make it harder to get things done.1
Data science with a Z workstation
Z workstations are designed to meet the most stringent security requirements. That’s why organisations with stringent security standards—like NASA—use it. Z keeps everything native and prevents data exposure, while the HP and Teradici remote access solution shields intellectual property.
“The fact that you have WSL 2 already available on a Windows workstation, and you don’t have to think about whether or not it has been downloaded properly, because it’s already been done by masters in the branch, makes everything very seamless.”
Andrada Olteanu
Data scientist at Endava, development expert at Weights & Biases, and a Z by HP Data Science Ambassador3,9
Z by HP for Data Scientists & Analysts
Get rapid results from your most demanding datasets, train models and create visualisations with Z by HP data science laptop and desktop workstations.
Exceptional performance
with Intel® Xeon®
and Intel® Core™ i9 processors.
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Disclaimers
- HP proprietary research (Understanding Data Scientists, November 2021).
- Ruchi Bhatia, in discussion with the authors, 2021. Ruchi Bhatia is part of the Z by HP Data Science Ambassador program and is provided with products.
- Z Data Science Ambassadors are provided with products for personal use.
- Mike Leone and Josh Clark, ESG Case Study: “Monitoring the Surface of the Sun with NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, Z by HP, and NVIDIA,” January 2021.
- All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
- Firat Gonen, in discussion with the authors, 2021. Firat Gonen is part of the Z by HP Data Science Ambassador program and is provided with products.
- Ken Jee, in discussion with the authors, 2021. Ken Jee is part of the Z by HP Data Science Ambassador program and is provided with products.
- WSL 2 requires Windows 10 or higher, Intel Core i5 processor or higher, and is available on select Z workstations. It requires the user to run Windows 10 version 21H2 or higher (Build 19044 and higher) or Windows 11.
- Andrada Olteanu, in discussion with the authors, 2021. Andrada Olteanu is part of the Z by HP Data Science Ambassador program and is provided with products.
Ruchi Bhatia, Firat Gonen, Ken Jee, and Andrada Olteanu are Z by HP Ambassadors who were provided with a variety of Z by HP Workstations and peripherals. The observations they’ve provided are their own.
4AA8-1223ENW, March 2022.
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