Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesign data storage solutionsMedium

A multinational e-commerce company needs to store product catalog information, including product descriptions, images (URLs), pricing, and inventory levels. This data is frequently updated, requires low-latency access from multiple global regions, and must be highly available. The data model is semi-structured and evolves over time. Which Azure data storage solution is most suitable?

  1. AAzure Database for PostgreSQL
  2. BAzure Cosmos DB (Core SQL API)
  3. CAzure Managed Instance for Apache Cassandra
  4. DAzure SQL Database
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. Azure Cosmos DB (Core SQL API)

Azure Cosmos DB (Core SQL API) is a globally distributed, multi-model database service that offers low-latency access, high availability, and elastic scalability. Its schema-agnostic nature and support for semi-structured data make it ideal for evolving product catalog information accessed globally.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Azure Database for PostgreSQL is also a relational database, facing similar limitations as Azure SQL Database for this scenario.
  • C. Azure Managed Instance for Apache Cassandra is a column-family NoSQL database, suitable for specific use cases but Cosmos DB offers broader capabilities for semi-structured data and global distribution with a simpler management overhead.
  • D. Azure SQL Database is a relational database and less flexible for evolving semi-structured data models or global distribution with low latency.

Azure Cosmos DB (Core SQL API)

A globally distributed, multi-model database service that guarantees low-latency access, high availability, and elastic scalability for applications with evolving semi-structured data.

  • Supports schema-agnostic JSON documents.
  • Offers multiple consistency models.
  • Ideal for high-throughput, low-latency applications requiring global reach and flexible data models.

Memory trick: Cosmos SQL flexes globally for evolving data.

More Design data storage solutions questions