Database Modernization
Identity Access Management (IAM)
Generative AI
Inside OpenAI’s Always-On IAM Stack with Ory and CockroachDB
Through an Ory Enterprise License, OpenAI gained access to advanced authorization capabilities, along with the ability to self-host, fine-tune configurations, and maintain full control of its CIAM stack. Together with CockroachDB’s fault-tolerant, globally replicated database, the solution offers a modern IAM foundation that evolves with OpenAI’s pace of development — supporting security, compliance, and seamless user experiences at scale.
Amine El Kouhen, Ph.D.
June 12, 2025
Tutorials
Database Modernization
Artificial Intelligence
Getting Started with GenAI Using CockroachDB
Information today is generated and consumed in unprecedented magnitudes. With every click, swipe, and transaction, massive amounts of data are collected, waiting to be harnessed for insights, decision-making, and innovation. Today, more than 80% of the data that organizations generate is unstructured – and the amount of this data type will only grow in the coming decades.
Amine El Kouhen, Ph.D.
June 5, 2025
Identity Access Management (IAM)
Database Modernization
Identity and Access Management (IAM): A Comprehensive Guide
Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the beating heart of modern application security. This article explores the foundational concepts of IAM, the architectural and operational demands of modern systems, the critical role of consistency and correctness, and how distributed databases like CockroachDB are enabling a new standard of always-on, scalable, and globally distributed IAM.
Amine El Kouhen, Ph.D.
May 23, 2025
Database Modernization
Mainframe to Distributed SQL, Part 6: Managing Change
Transitioning from legacy mainframe systems to distributed databases marks a monumental shift for any organization. While the promise of scalability, cost-efficiency, and enhanced performance is compelling, the migration process itself presents significant challenges.
Amine El Kouhen, Ph.D.
February 5, 2025
Scale & Resilience
Database Modernization
Mainframe to Distributed SQL, Part 5: Transitioning to a Distributed Architecture
As businesses increasingly demand scalability, resilience, and flexibility, transitioning from traditional centralized systems to distributed architectures has become a critical strategic move.
Amine El Kouhen, Ph.D.
January 23, 2025
Database Modernization
Mainframe to Distributed SQL, Part 4: Planning Your Data Modernization Strategy
Legacy mainframe systems have long been the backbone of critical finance, healthcare, and government operations. However, as technology evolves, these aging systems often become costly to maintain, challenging to integrate with modern applications, and inefficient in meeting today’s digital demands. Migrating mainframe databases and applications to modern platforms is increasingly seen as a strategic imperative, offering enhanced scalability, flexibility, and cost savings.
Amine El Kouhen, Ph.D.
December 9, 2024
System
Mainframe to Distributed SQL, Part 3: Distributed Database Architecture
In the era of cloud computing, traditional centralized database architectures are increasingly giving way to more flexible and resilient distributed database architectures. Since the cloud is, by definition, a distributed system, the architecture of traditional relational databases frequently conflicts with the architectural needs of modern cloud-native applications: elasticity, horizontal scale, and separation of concerns.
Amine El Kouhen, Ph.D.
November 14, 2024
Database Modernization
Mainframe to Distributed SQL, Part 2: The Imperative for Change
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, traditional mainframe database architectures have unique challenges and considerations for organizations that rely on conventional mainframe databases. Mainframe databases, while robust and capable of handling substantial volumes of data and high transaction throughput, face limitations in scaling, integration with modern systems, and cost efficiency.
Amine El Kouhen, Ph.D.
October 24, 2024
Database Modernization
Mainframe to Distributed SQL, Part 1: Understanding Mainframe Database Architecture
Mainframe systems have long been the backbone of enterprise computing, known for their reliability, scalability, and unmatched processing power. As businesses strive to modernize their IT infrastructures, understanding the fundamentals of mainframe database architecture becomes crucial.
Amine El Kouhen, Ph.D.
October 10, 2024