Adopting new technology can be viewed from different perspectives. It could be an attempt to impress the uninformed elite on Wall Street, a move to embellish one's resume, or a genuine effort to serve the company's best interests. Regardless, staying current with technology is crucial for professionals in the field. I am constantly seeking ways to enhance our systems in a cost-effective and necessary manner. I embrace every workshop and demo, respond to each vendor, request white papers, and if it seems promising, I ask for a demo. If we're sufficiently impressed, we proceed with a proof of concept. In today's world, we must utilize every available technology to our benefit. The key is to keep up and to take the leap when the time is right.

If we are talking about the choice of skills we should learn in the context of building a data warehouse, we must understand that technology is changing rapidly, but underneath it are certain fundamentals. If you know SQL very well working with any database will not be a problem for you. If you know how to use Spark you will cope with its cloud versions. It is useful to know what is the basis of each technological area and what is simply an interesting option in this one particular implementation of the chosen technology.

From my experience and what I’ve learned from my mentors, staying connected with the right people - through forums, communities, or discussion boards - is invaluable for staying updated, not just in data warehousing but in any domain. Continuous learning is equally important, whether through internal training portals or external subscriptions. And finally, hands-on experience is irreplaceable. Taking on challenging tasks, even those beyond your immediate responsibilities, helps you solve real-world problems and accelerates your growth.

One of my key strategies is to stay up-to-date with industry developments by subscribing to events and following the latest blogs from leading platforms. This approach helps me stay current on advancements from major players like Databricks, Azure, and Palantir, which I believe are at the forefront of the field. I recently attended a Databricks event, which was a game-changer. They held live workshops on their latest technology, and the insights were incredibly informative.

Over the years, I’ve experienced several transitions, from IBM DB2, Pentaho Data Integration, SAP BO DS, SAP HANA to SAP Datasphere, and from traditional reporting tools to SAC. Each shift introduced new architectures, integrations, and data modeling techniques that required a balance between leveraging existing systems and adopting new capabilities. One thing I've found essential is staying focused on the fundamentals of data warehousing. A well-structured data model, clear business requirements, and strong data governance. By focusing on these, I’ve been able to harness the strengths of new platforms while ensuring a smooth transition that supports both strategic and operational insights for stakeholders.

Dedicate regular time to learning through online courses, webinars, or industry publications focused on the latest tools and practices. Engage with professional communities and attend tech conferences to exchange knowledge and gain insights from peers. Additionally, experimenting with new tools on a small scale before fully adopting them can help you get comfortable. Staying proactive in learning ensures you remain effective and competitive in a fast-changing field.