The Power of a Single Source of Truth in Hardware

Challenges of Fragmented Data

Modern hardware development generates vast amounts of data. From real-time telemetry and logs to testing videos and manufacturing metrics, this data is critical for decision-making and progress. However, when teams use disconnected systems, data becomes fragmented—stored in separate tools and formats. This fragmentation leads to:

• Inconsistent Insights: R&D and manufacturing teams may work with outdated or conflicting information, resulting in inefficiencies and errors.
• Wasted Time: Engineers often spend hours reconciling time-series data, logs, and video recordings from different systems. These datasets frequently lack synchronization, requiring manual alignment afterwards, wasting even more precious engineering time that can be utilized elsewhere. 
• Hindered Collaboration: Without a unified view of data, coordination across hardware development, testing, and operations becomes challenging.

This isn’t isolated to certain teams. An independent Aerospace Observability Report in 2024 found that 63% of organizations face significant hurdles in data management, specifically normalizing, integrating and tracing data, leading to data silos between teams. 

These inefficiencies slow progress and create unnecessary risks in engineering workflows.

By centralizing data, an SSOT creates a reliable foundation for collaboration and efficiency across the organization.

Role of a Single Source of Truth (SSOT)

A Single Source of Truth (SSOT) addresses these issues by consolidating data into a unified platform. A centralized system ensures all teams have access to accurate, up-to-date information.

Benefits of an SSOT

• Streamlined Processes: Reduces the need for manual data reconciliation and eliminates redundant workflows.
• Improved Clarity: Provides transparency and consistency, enabling teams to make informed decisions.
• Faster Decision-Making: Integrates real-time data for quicker, more effective responses.

By centralizing data, an SSOT creates a reliable foundation for collaboration and efficiency across the organization.

Why Sift Is the Right SSOT for Hardware Teams

Integrating Infrastructure, Data, and Observability

Sift serves as a comprehensive platform that bridges the core layers of modern hardware development:

1. Infrastructure: Sift’s storage is purpose-built for high-cardinality telemetry data. It supports scalable ingestion and ensures long-term accessibility without performance degradation by analysing data before it’s stored. 
2. Data Management: Sift unifies diverse data formats—from CSV files and Protobuf streams to real-time gRPC feeds—into a standardized schema, eliminating silos and inconsistencies.‍
3. Visualization and Observability: Sift provides intuitive tools to visualize telemetry, overlay datasets, identify anomalies, and generate detailed reports real-time. These capabilities are accessible without requiring custom scripts or programming.

This integration streamlines workflows and enables teams to focus on solving engineering challenges instead of managing disparate tools.

Sift is designed to address the specific needs of hardware development, offering:

• Fully Managed: Fully managed end-to-end platform, reducing complexity and costs
• Real-Time: Monitor live data streams, detect anomalies instantly, and respond proactively.
• Seamless Integration:Compatible with existing tools, creating a frictionless transition to centralized data.
• Unified: Consolidate diverse data sources into one cohesive platform.
• Customizable: Tailor tools and visualizations to fit your specific operational needs.
• Scalable: Infrastructure that scales with the needs of growing companies

Sift simplifies data management and provides the tools necessary for teams to operate efficiently and effectively.

Sift simplifies data management and provides the tools necessary for teams to operate efficiently and effectively.

Opening Possibilities and Opportunities

A centralized SSOT like Sift does more than resolve data fragmentation; it empowers organizations to focus on:

• Testing and Development: Unified data allows for faster iteration and better testing outcomes.
• Collaboration: A single source of data ensures alignment across all teams, from design to production.
• Cost reduction: Avoid redundant tools and time-consuming manual processes.
• Reduce Risks in Decision-making: Data-driven insights lead to more informed decisions and improved results.

In today’s data-intensive environment, Sift enables organizations to overcome complexity and drive progress with confidence.

Path to Unified Data

Fragmented data poses significant challenges for hardware teams, but these can be overcome with the right tools. Sift serves as a Single Source of Truth that integrates infrastructure, data, and observability into a cohesive system. By addressing inefficiencies and providing clear, actionable insights, Sift supports better collaboration and faster decision-making.

For organizations seeking to streamline operations and improve outcomes, a centralized SSOT is an essential step forward. With Sift, teams can focus on their core goals and turn data into a powerful enabler of success.