The shift toward cloud databases for operational data, historically lagging due to concerns over data sensitivity and mission-critical nature, is gaining momentum as the high costs and hiring challenges of on-prem systems become increasingly prohibitive. Managed cloud solutions are now more appealing due to their cost-effectiveness, scalability, and the expertise offered by providers, which often surpass the capabilities of in-house teams. In 2022, the demand for specialized roles like SREs and DBAs has surged due to increased venture capital investment, making it difficult and costly for companies to hire these experts. Meanwhile, the 2022 Cloud Report highlights that while the costs of managed cloud databases are significantly influenced by storage and data transfer expenses, most companies can opt for general-purpose storage without performance loss. This makes managed cloud databases an attractive option for operational data, offering flexibility and reducing the complexities of scaling global operations.