Choosing the right database management system is key to ensuring an effective, streamlined software development process and a successful final result. Still, selecting the the right system for your project is not that easy, as there are always details to consider almost at every turn, especially when it comes to the overall performance of a database management system for your process and project.
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at arguably the most popular systems and how they compare to one another — HBase vs Cassandra. We will explore the essentials, use cases, features, architectures, performance and more.
Let’s start below.
The Basic Facts for the Cassandra vs HBase Comparison
Both Cassandra and HBase are database management systems aimed at speeding up the software development process. Introduced in 2016 and written in Java, HBase is an open-source tool for large-scale projects (Facebook had been using Apache HBase 2010 through 2019). Meanwhile, Cassandra saw the light of the digital day in 2008 and also became highly popular among IT professionals.
What is HBase?
HBase is a scalable, distributed, column-based database with a dynamic diagram for structured data. It allows for reliable and efficient management of large data sets (several petabytes or more) distributed among thousands of servers. HBase is modeled by Google Bigtable and is a part of Apache Software Foundation’s Hadoop project.
HBase Architecture & Structure
HBase is a unique database that can work on many physical servers at once, ensuring operation even if not all servers are up and running. The system architecture of HBase is quite complex compared to classic relational databases.
HBase uses two main processes to ensure ongoing operation:
1. Region Server can support multiple regions. Here, a region is an array of records corresponding to a specific range of consecutive RowKey. In addition, each region has:
Persistent Storage, which is a permanent storage location for data in HBase. Files are used in HDFS storage in a unique document format — HFile. RowKey sorts data of this type and distributes them into pairs (region or colonies). Each created pair corresponds to one HFile.
MemStore is a write buffer where anything that is written to HBase is stored. When MemStore reaches a certain size, the data is written to a new HFile.
BlockCache – read cache. Allows you to significantly save time on data that is read frequently.
Write Ahead Log (WAL). When the data is being written into the memstore, there is a risk of losing it. WAL saves all operations before prior to the implementation. If something happens, the data can be recovered.
2. Master Server is the main server of the Apache HBase. The master manages the distribution of regions across the Region Server, monitors the regions, manages the running of ongoing tasks and performs a number of other important tasks.
To coordinate actions between services, HBase uses Apache ZooKeeper, a special service for managing configurations and synchronization of services.
As the amount of data in a region increases and it reaches a certain size, HBase starts the split, an operation that divides the region by two. To avoid permanent divisions of the regions, you can pre-set the boundaries of the regions and increase their maximum size.
Since data for one region can be stored in several HFiles, HBase periodically merges them together to speed up the operation. This is called compaction.
Compactions come in two forms:
Minor Compaction runs automatically in the background. It has low priority compared to other HBase operations.
Major Compaction. It can be started manually or triggered (for example, by a timer). It has high priority and can significantly slow down the work of the cluster. The best time to perform Major Compactions is when the cluster load is low. During Major Compaction, data labeled tombstone is deleted.
HBase Use Cases
It can be said that HBase was created to automate Google’s internal processes, but it was also being used to manage file systems around the world. Apache HBase operates on top of the HDFS distributed file system and provides BigTable-like features for Hadoop, that is, it provides a fault-tolerant way of storing large amounts of sparse data. HBase stores file data in tables, which have rows and columns, and resembles standard Excel sheets. The table rows are sorted by the key of the rows (the primary key of the table), while the sorting is performed in the order of bytes. All calls to the table are made on the primary key. Columns are combined into column families, and all members of the column family have a common prefix.
HBase Example
Apache HBase is able to scale standard Excel tasks towards web development. Among the many features of the system are the following:
RowKey is the primary identifier of the document (it should be called that way)
Families or named sets, one key can be used to reach different sets.
Secondary key in family-set
Time – the built-in value of HBase, the default is the time to add, but it can be changed
Value
HBase allows you to do MapReduce tasks that are naturally slower than Hadoop tasks, because these systems were designed for different purposes. HBase is an online system, Hadoop is aimed at offline operation. Notably, different sets of keys are in different ColumnFamily files, and if you use several machines to quickly extract the value, it is advisable to refer to one ColumnFamily.
HBase Performance
HBase can use HDFS as a server-based distributed file system. However, the default block size is completely different. HBase’s default block size is 64 KB, while HDFS uses at least 64 MB.
Blocks are used for different things in HDFS and HBase. HDFS blocks are disk storage units. Blocks in HBase are for memory storage. There are many HBase blocks that fit into one HBase file.
HBase is designed to maximize the performance of the HDFS file system, and they fully utilize the block size. Some experts even set up their HDFS to have a block size of 20 GB to make HBase more efficient.
HBase vs Cassandra: How Does Cassandra Measure Up?
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Apache Cassandra is very similar to HBase, but has its own individual advantages and disadvantages. If for you it is only HBase vs Cassandra, let’s have an in-depth overview of the latter.
Cassandra Apache belongs to the class of NoSQL-systems and is designed to create scalable and reliable repositories of huge data arrays represented as hash.
Let’s explore the essentials.
What is Apache Cassandra
Apache Cassandra works with key space, which corresponds to the concept of a database schema in the relational model. There can be several column families in this key space, which corresponds to the concept of a relational table. In turn, the column families contain columns that are combined with a key in the RowKey record.
The column consists of three parts — name, timestamp, and value.
The columns within the record are set in a particular order. Unlike a relational database, there are no restrictions on whether records contain columns with the same names as in other records. Column families of the system can have several types.
Apache Cassandra Architecture
The basic idea behind Cassandra’s architecture is the token ring.
There are a number of servers in the cluster. For example, there are 4 of them (see the picture below). We will assign a token to each server. This is, roughly speaking, a certain number. But first, we need determine what our keys are in general.
Let’s say we have 64–bit keys. Accordingly, we will assign a 64–bit token to each server. After that, we will line them up in a circle, and according to this, sort the tokens. Each server will be responsible for one of the token ranges.
Apache Cassandra Example
Let's look at one of the examples of searching for a query through Cassandra Apache. It consists of a set of storage nodes, and stores each row in one of these nodes. In each row, Cassandra Apache always stores columns sorted by name. Thanks to this sorting order, Apache Cassandra supports partitioned queries when a user, by specifying a row, can receive a corresponding subset of columns in a given range of column names. For example, a partitioned query with the tag0–tag9999 range will result in all columns whose names are between tag0 and tag9999.
Apache Cassandra Performance
Cassandra Apache is the only database where writing is faster than reading. This is due to the fact that writing to it successfully ends (in the fastest version) immediately after writing to the log (on disk). But reading requires checks, several reads from the disk, and choosing the most recent entry.
Cassandra Apache is a reliable data archive that scales fairly quickly. The development community constantly updates Cassandra to make it easier, faster, and more time-efficient for software engineers.
The editors of one of the IT portals conducted an experiment that showed how Apache Cassandra compares to Mongodb, a cross-platform document-oriented database program.
HBase vs Cassandra: Performance
Both file storage systems have leading positions in the market of IT products. The type of operation of the two platforms on the servers is very similar.
It is worth noting that HBase separates data logging and hash into two stages, while Cassandra does it simultaneously. HBase also has a rather complex architecture compared to its competitor.
When a client is searching for the right server, they request the presence of a meta table that contains all the cluster files. It is necessary to request information about the owner of the data within the table. If file location changes, the program must re-complete the full cycle of work. Here, Cassandra has a more fitting structure, which largely affects the speed of the system.
Cassandra vs HBase Benchmark
When it comes to Apache Cassandra vs HBase benchmarks, both use linear scaling, so they have approximately the same benchmark. Despite that, they show completely different test results.
HBase showed the best results in the use of loads when reading data. It copes well with high loads when working with files and scanning large tables.
On the other hand, Cassandra did a consistently good job with a large load for writing. Thus, it is more suitable for collecting analytics or data from sensors when time consistency is acceptable.
Cassandra vs HBase: Features
Trying to determine which of the two databases is best for you really depends on the project in question. Each has its advantages and sometimes the choice would merely depend on personal preferences in carrying our software development.
You can choose the most suitable platform based on these comparisons:
HBase handles 1000 nodes while Cassandra can help with approximately 400 nodes
HBase and Cassandra both support replication between clusters/data centers HBase provides more to the user, so it looks more complicated, but then you also get more flexibility
If strong consistency is what your application needs, then HBase is probably the best fit. It is designed from the ground up to be consistent. For example, it allows for simplifying the implementation of atomic meters, as well as checking and locating.
The performance track record of HBase is solid — Facebook used it for almost ten years. Here, the winner in Cassandra vs HBase is evident.
Current version of Cassandra prepares the separator, but in the past it needed manual rebalancing. HBase handles this automatically if you do not want manual control. The ordered delimiter is important for processing in a way that is similar to Hadoop.
Cassandra and HBase are both complicated; Cassandra is simpler only at first sight. HBase and Cassandra are both multi-layered, and if you compare the documents of Dynamo and Bigbit, you will see that the theory behind Cassandra is actually more complex.
HBase has more FWIW unit tests.
The Cassandra RPC is Thrift, while HBase has Thrift, REST, and native Java. Thrift and REST only offer a subset of the full client API, but if you want to get pure speed, you have to use your own Java client.
The hospitality industry depends a lot on keeping customers happy, but it’s getting harder to attract and keep them. The pandemic hit this industry hard, and now market competition is tougher than ever, with competitive offerings swaying customers. Hospitality businesses are willing to spend big to win customers back. The main questions for many are: how can we stay ahead of the competition, keep our customers, and increase revenue? Keep reading—we’ve got some answers.
Customers today have so many options that getting their attention is a real challenge. It’s not easy to make them choose your business over others. What worked 10 years ago doesn’t work the same way now. Back then, people often chose businesses based on reputation. But with new types of businesses (boutique hotels, craft cafes) popping up or big enterprises getting a new strategy, expectations have changed. The good news is these businesses have shown what works: great customer service. They focus on personalizing the experience, making things easy for customers, offering loyalty programs, and using smart technology.
In this article, we’ll explore these tech strategies and show you how they can help your business grow, and double the revenue. Keep reading to learn more!
The Importance of Customer Satisfaction in the Hospitality Industry
Customer satisfaction, which equals exceptional customer experience, is the backbone of the hospitality industry. It plays a central role in driving revenue and loyalty, as satisfied customers are more likely to return and recommend a hotel, restaurant, or other hospitality business to others. In fact, a study by the Harvard Business Review found that a 1% increase in customer satisfaction can lead to a 0.5% increase in revenue. Moreover, loyal customers are more likely to forgive mistakes and continue doing business with a company, even if they experience a negative encounter.
Let's quickly review the challenges the hospitality industry is facing right now so we can move on to the solutions and our case studies.
Challenges in Hospitality
As businesses navigate the changes in the hospitality industry, there are some key areas where a little improvement can go a long way. From improving customer service to embracing digital transformation and tackling labor shortages, we’ll take a closer look at today’s biggest challenges—and, more importantly, how technology can step in to help. Let’s get started!
Poor Customer Service
Even with strong and high-quality business offerings, poor customer service can drive potential customers and existing customers away. Common issues include:
Long wait times in customer service queues (it is worth remembering that our attention spans 8 seconds, and we live in a very busy world, so quick and efficient responses are more important than ever.)
Poorly trained customer service representatives
Lack of follow-up
Services not being done properly or quickly
Recall issues that require multiple service calls
These problems can frustrate customers. But, at Intellectsoft, we believe that the right approach, combined with technology, can address them effectively.
Digital Transformation Gaps
Approximately 50% of hotels are adopting new technologies, with 43% automating repetitive tasks and 39% upgrading existing systems. Source: workstaff.app
While many businesses are adopting digital solutions, some still struggle with outdated systems and fragmented data. Legacy companies often face chaos when trying to manage their data and create new systems or add features.
Some of the recent examples include clients coming to us to create AI solutions for their services while their data simply was not ready for the advanced tasks. We advise stepping back, communicating with a company objective, and working on keeping the data clean (centralized, structured, and segmented).
When we’re asked to create advanced systems using AI, we always emphasize the importance of organized data. To train AI and build such complicated systems that truly work, you need to start from the very beginning—collecting, storing, centralizing, and organizing it. We encourage our clients to align all departments to work internally on the data so we can create a unified digital system that delivers personalized experiences.
If you’re unsure where to start with your data, we can help. Collecting feedback at various touchpoints along the customer journey is crucial for gaining insights into customer satisfaction and loyalty. Book an IT consultation with us, and our experts will guide you in mapping out a path to get more from your data and build a system that works for your business and team.
Reskilling Staff
The pandemic hit hard in early 2020, especially for the hospitality and travel industries. Even five years later, many businesses are still feeling the impact. Recruiting and retaining skilled staff has become a major challenge post-pandemic.
Reskilling to address technology’s impact is of utmost importance, as about 40% of hotel General Managers place it among their top three workforce challenges.
We strongly believe that adopting the right technology can help. For example, creating an app to train your staff not only saves time but also ensures consistency in learning. AI assistants can also work alongside your team, helping with tasks like recruitment (providing industry insights, crafting emails) and staff training. Imagine having an app dedicated to making your team’s work easier and more efficient!
How Technology Tackles These Challenges and Supports a Customer-Centric Hospitality Culture
Automation, AI, and similar technologies may threaten many. However, the debate about replacing humans isn’t about that—it’s about cooperation and working hand in hand with technology to achieve the highest standards and establish brand-new “golden standards.” Technology is here to assist staff in listening to and collecting customer insights from data.
Let’s review some of our cases to see examples of how technology helps improve customer experience and supports customer service.
Examples of Intellectsoft projects
Property management systems (PMS)
We created a web platform and mobile app that makes managing daily tasks easier and offers extra services to improve residents’ experience. It gives a clear overview of daily activities and helps with managing units and users. Residents can easily book amenities, submit service requests, and report incidents. The platform also includes features for equipment management, key instructions, workflows, and custom permissions. This makes it easier for staff to stay on top of equipment and ensure residents have all the information they need. Plus, tools like announcements, quick votes, a forum, and a community calendar help build a connected and engaged community.
Guest Experience Management App
Our next app helped our client improve their guest experience by replacing printed marketing materials and the need for phone calls with a smart solution. Now, guests can easily order in-room dining, make reservations, and interact with staff— through a simple tablet in their room. The solution includes three parts: a custom in-room tablet with a variety of services, an admin panel for hotel staff and service providers, and a backend system that connects everything together. This approach makes things easier for guests and staff, improving both convenience and efficiency.
Existing Customers First: Building Loyalty with Personalized Touchpoints
Keeping existing customers is not just a strategy; it’s well-known that retaining existing customers is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. In fact, research shows that it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one. KPMG named customer retention as the number one revenue driver for the company.
Moreover, a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profits, showing the significant impact loyal customers can have on a business’s bottom line. Retention strategies, like personalized experiences and loyalty programs, can foster long-term relationships and generate recurring revenue, ultimately making them an invaluable part of any business model.
Personalization: How Technology Can Help?
Everyone loves to feel special—it’s part of being human. In hospitality, personalization has evolved from being a luxury to an essential standard. With the right technology to manage your data effectively, you can deliver those “wow” moments that guests won’t forget.
More than half of hotel chains are already using personalization features on their websites, booking platforms, and apps, and another 39% are planning to follow suit soon. They’re tailoring experiences to fit guest preferences perfectly.
Source: Deloitte
How does technology make it happen?
CRM Systems: They help you keep track of guest preferences, booking history, and special requests so you can offer services tailored just for them.
Loyalty Programs: Personalized rewards and offers show your guests that you value them, keeping them coming back for more.
AI Personalization: AI analyzes guest data to predict what they’ll love (from room upgrades to local recommendations) before they even ask.
IoT Gadgets: Smart room features like voice-activated assistants, or temperature controls adjust to your guests’ preferences, making their stay more comfortable.
With tech-powered personalization, you’re building loyalty and maximizing the lifetime value of every customer.
Our Case Study: Smart Hotel Management & Loyalty Program
For one of our clients, we created a smart room solution, complete with a custom IoT system. Guests can use a mobile app to control services, explore amenities, and find resort information-- with a special touch to their suite type. For the client’s entertainment business, we improved their legacy software by running a full IT and code check, fixing issues, and making the system better for customers.
Along with that, we developed a mobile app for the loyalty program, allowing businesses to effortlessly reward their customers and keep them engaged with exclusive benefits.
Our solutions not only helped the client with special experiences for guests; it also improved operations, cutting costs by eliminating inefficiencies. Here's what our experts shared:
"We transitioned away from ESB (Enterprise Service Bus) systems, which previously cost millions, and replaced them with more efficient, self-managed solutions. Similarly, we’ve implemented Device Farms that improved operations and saved resources."
Leveraging Software to Increase Upsell Opportunities
Here are some examples of tech tactics that will help your team sell more and introduce new offerings to existing customers, improve overall efficiency leaving your team grateful:
Dynamic Pricing Algorithms
For finance and marketing teams, manually calculating pricing by segment to introduce your clients can be incredibly challenging. AI-powered tools can strongly optimize these strategies by analyzing your database in detail.
Upselling via Apps
Boosting revenue in the hospitality business often comes down to personalized experiences. Imagine this: a guest books a room, and then your app suggests a spa package or a room upgrade at just the right moment. Later, it nudges them to book a dinner reservation or a guided tour designed to their preferences. With apps offering these personalized recommendations during and after bookings, you’re not just increasing your revenue per guest but also skyrocketing their experience. And you do it in a sustainable way, not by speculating, but by offering what your customers desire based on their previous experiences. It’s a win-win: seamless, helpful, and far from pushy.
Inventory and Resource Management Software
Making every resource count in your hospitality business is key. Inventory and resource management software allows you to effortlessly track everything from linens to room availability, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Having real-time insights to reduce overstock, avoid shortages, and optimize operations assists sustainably keep everything under control and know what you need to focus more. It helps maximize room occupancy by aligning bookings with available resources, ensuring every room and item is used effectively. This approach leads to smarter management, better guest experiences, and a noticeable boost to your bottom line.
Adopting these strategies not only optimizes your operations but also drives business growth. Ready to discover how technology can elevate your goals? We’re here to create a tailored solution for you.
Steps For Implementing a Customer Service Technology Solution
Improving customer service in hospitality doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right technology, you can smooth the path of your operations, speed up response times, and elevate the overall guest experience. Here’s where you can make it happen:
1. Understand Your Needs
Start by identifying the challenges your business is facing. Are you struggling to manage high volumes of inquiries, track customer feedback, or personalize the guest experience? Pinpointing your needs will guide you to the best solutions.
2. Pick the Right Tools
Choose technology that aligns with your goals. Look for solutions that are scalable, easy to use, and integrate effortlessly with your current systems. Options like CRM software, live chat tools, or a guest experience app can make a difference.
3. Equip Your Team
Technology is only as effective as the people using it. Train your staff to make the most of the new tools, so they can deliver exceptional service and resolve issues quickly. Confident, well-equipped staff creates happy, loyal customers.
4. Keep Improving
Once implemented, monitor how well the solution works. Are response times improving? Are customers more satisfied? Regular evaluations will help you fine-tune your approach and keep things running harmoniously.
Some Tech Ideas for Hospitality Businesses
CRM Software: Manage customer interactions and preferences.
Guest Experience Apps: Delight guests with personalized experiences right at their fingertips.
Amenity Management Systems: Simplify operations for everything from room service to facility bookings.
Live Chat Tools: Offer instant support and answers.
Social Media Management Tools: Keep customer interactions engaging and organized.
Integrating these strategies will not only improve your customer service but also deliver unforgettable customer satisfaction, loyalty, and, ultimately, your bottom line. Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation with our experts.
Conclusion
To wrap up everything we've discussed, customer satisfaction and experience are at the heart of hospitality. Retaining customers is more than just keeping them around—building strong, long-lasting relationships and consistently meeting their evolving needs. By understanding their pain points and offering personalized solutions, you can inspire loyalty and drive progress. With the right technology and continuous improvement, your business can stay ahead, let go of what no longer serves you, and keep growing.
At Intellectsoft, with over 17 years of experience in software development, our expert team is ready to help. We create everything from mobile apps to full-fledged portals and systems, leveraging the latest technologies like AI, Cloud, and Machine Learning. With deep experience in the hospitality industry, we’re here to craft personalized solutions that bring your business unforgettable customer experience and retain your valuable clients.
Ready to double your revenue and level up your customer retention strategy with personalized technology? Contact our experts, and we look forward to working hand in hand with you to build or revitalize the perfect app or system for you.
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