Watercooler debate: Is it the data or the infrastructure?

Every day, Constellation Research analysts are swapping takes, headlines, observations and broad themes on our internal watercooler thread. It’s part entertainment and part college class. Here’s a look at Holger Mueller and Esteban Kolsky’s recent debate on data, infrastructure and strategy.

Core Disagreement

• Mueller’s Position:
  • The foundation of enterprise success is data — "it starts with the data."
  • Data is continuously created (e.g., web searches) and must be the priority before infrastructure or models.
  • Correct and early adoption of technology can be a key differentiator, enabling growth in efficiency and effectiveness.
  • AI changes the game by making it possible to process data at a scale that was previously impossible.
• Kolsky’s Position:
  • Data matters, but it is not the most important focus in 2025.
  • After decades of investment in data warehouses, CDPs, and models, many enterprises still cannot move from "A to H" because they lack the right infrastructure and business models.
  • Technology alone is no longer a differentiator; the winners will be those who build forward-looking ecosystems and innovative business models on robust infrastructure.
  • Chasing every "new tech" is a resource trap — sustainable success requires a broader, multidisciplinary strategy.

Key Points

1. Data vs. Infrastructure
   • Mueller: Data is the car; without it, you can’t drive anywhere.
   • Kolsky: Infrastructure is the freeway; without it, even the fastest car (best data) is useless.
2. Tech as Differentiator
   • Mueller: Early, correct adoption of tech is a differentiator, and with AI accelerating tech’s capabilities, it is more important than ever.
   • Kolsky: Early adoption provides a temporary edge but leads to technical debt; tech is an enabler, not the differentiator.
3. Enterprise Strategy
   • Kolsky: Enterprises need to think beyond narrow tech or data focus — similar to how industry analysts must avoid siloed perspectives.
   • Mueller: Agrees on interconnectedness but emphasizes continuous cycles of evaluate → pilot → adopt → scale.
4. Sustainability of Early Adoption
   • Kolsky: Constantly “skating on the edge” isn’t sustainable.
   • Mueller: The key is avoiding the “efficiency trap” and practicing enterprise acceleration.

Common Ground

• Both agree technology is an enabler and everything is interconnected (data, infrastructure, business models).
• Both recognize AI’s impact on data processing and enterprise capabilities.
• Both stress the need for continuous improvement — but differ on whether the starting point should be data or infrastructure.

Recap

• Mueller: Data = car → you need the car first to travel.
• Kolsky: Infrastructure = freeway → without roads, the best car is useless.
• Disagreement lies in which comes first and where the main strategic focus should be.