Revolutionizing Data Integration, AI for Efficiency: Databricks

Q: How would you describe Databricks' current position within the Mexican market?
A: We have experienced continuous growth, supported by our value proposition in data integration and AI. With a global turnover of US$2.4 billion and an annual growth rate of 60%, we are one of the most dynamic companies in the sector. Our platform, which combines Data Lake and Data Warehouse in a single system (Lakehouse), has been adopted by 75% of large global companies, and in Latin America we have seen even more accelerated growth, reaching 80% year-on-year growth.

Q: How do you expect to position yourself for the growing demand for data intelligence in the Mexican market?
A: The establishment of our new offices in Mexico City responds to the great opportunity that the Mexican market represents, both in terms of growth potential and demand for data intelligence. We already have major clients in the country, such as Bimbo, Cemex and Banco Bineo, who use our platform in an integrated manner. This next step in our expansion underscores our commitment to get closer to our customers to provide them with direct technical and commercial support.

The success of our new offices will be measured by our ability to develop market expertise around the use of data and AI, and to achieve true democratization of data. We already have a solid customer base in Mexico and, as we expand, we expect to consolidate a team of sales, solution architects, and professionals that will strengthen our presence. However, real success will come when companies are able to gain a tangible competitive advantage through the use of our products, which will be driven by the proximity of our operation and the intensive support we will be able to provide.

Q: What distinguishes Databricks from other similar platforms in the Mexican and Latin American market?
A: Our differentiator is our unique specialization in data and AI, being the company with the most resources dedicated to these fields in the region. This simplifies access and use of data, allowing companies to optimize their operations more efficiently. Another key advantage lies in the ability to integrate and unify data from various systems and sources within companies, overcoming fragmentation and "data islands" common in organizations with complex technological infrastructures.

One of our greatest added values is the data governance layer, essential to ensure control and security in the management of large volumes of information. Flexibility to operate on the three main cloud platforms, Microsoft, Google and Amazon Web Services, and the possibility of using several clouds at the same time with a unified governance layer, give companies greater autonomy and control over their data.

Q: Can you share success stories that illustrate how you have helped companies leverage their data and optimize their operations?
A: One prominent example is PicPay, a digital bank in Brazil with 60 million customers and 30 million transactions per year. This company faced the challenge of managing large volumes of data from multiple systems and offering personalized incentives to its users. By implementing our platform, they were able to optimize their data analysis, establishing parameters that allowed them to define which customers should receive certain benefits, such as cashback. The result was a 50% reduction in the costs of data visualization platforms, a 25% growth in the use of analytical tools, and a significant improvement in the allocation of incentives, generating savings of US$10 million per year.

Another success story is iFood, a leading delivery company in Brazil, which controls 80% of the market. With more than 60 million deliveries per month, its main challenge was to optimize delivery routes to reduce operating costs. Using data collected through their platform, the company performed more than 10,000 possible route analyses, which allowed them to reduce the cost of each transaction by 10 cents. While this may seem small, this adjustment generated a significant impact given the magnitude of their operations.

Finally, we have the case of Natura, Avon's parent company in the United States, which represents a different challenge due to its long history and the complexity of its infrastructure. With 65 different systems involved in the generation of its sustainability and performance reports, the company was facing long waiting times to process this information, which affected its ability to make quick decisions. By integrating our solution, Natura reduced report production time by 16 times and improved report granularity, delivering much more detailed and accurate reports.

Q: How is Databricks contributing to the development of specialized talent within the industry?
A: Through in-person and virtual training programs, we offer classes in Spanish that allow teams to learn how to use our solutions and optimize their processes. Recently, we conducted a 4hr virtual training with more than 1,000 participants, which reflects the interest and need for this type of training. We also collaborate closely with an ecosystem of key partners such as Accenture, Deloitte and several hyperscalers, allowing us to strengthen our local capabilities and provide additional support to companies so they can get the most out of their data, in an efficient and cost-controlled manner.

Q: How is Databricks leveraging AI to help companies differentiate themselves in a competition-driven market?
A: We leverage AI by facilitating the building of robust data architectures that enable our customers to derive real value from their data, even when they face challenges such as high levels of "hallucination" in their systems. Our platform enables interaction with multiple language models (LLMs) and systems, which optimizes queries and provides more accurate results, all while controlling cost and efficiency. In addition, we offer tools such as AI-based application generators, which allow companies to create solutions such as customer service chatbots quickly and easily, eliminating the need for lengthy development cycles.

Q: How are you using AI to streamline and improve your internal operation?
A: Internally, AI plays a crucial role in improving our operations through the creation of the Data Intelligence Platform, which applies generative AI to optimize natural language query responses and results. This platform not only facilitates the management of our own data, but also improves operational efficiency by learning and adjusting interactions with data for more accurate insights.

Q: What other markets in Latin America do you consider key for Databricks, and what strategies are you implementing to reach them efficiently?
A: Our strategy focuses on a vertical approach by industry, tailored to each country. We are establishing dedicated teams in strategic countries including Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile. This approach allows us to share experiences and success stories relevant to each sector, such as customer experience in the financial sector or predictive maintenance of machinery in the mining industry, especially in countries like Chile and Peru. In addition, we are implementing innovative solutions in key sectors, such as the energy sector in Brazil, with clients like Petrobras using our generative AI tools.

Q: How should Latin American companies approach digital transformation to make the most of their data?
A: It is crucial to adopt a flexible mindset when it comes to digital transformation. Companies must understand that competitive advantage comes from using data effectively, democratizing access to information within the organization. In addition, they must be prepared to adapt quickly to technological innovation, especially with the rapid transformations that are occurring in AI. The key will be to ensure that companies are agile enough to adopt new solutions while remaining focused on their strategic objectives.