Graph Chat with Max Latey, CEO & Founder of Pinboard Consulting

Can we blame them?

For years, enterprise architects viewed graph databases with a mix of curiosity and dread. Between specialist silos, complex ETL pipelines, and infrastructure friction, many chose to stay in the safety of relational tables.

But according to the Obi-Wan Kenobi of Graphs – a.k.a. Max Latey – there’s a new hope: that graph reluctance is starting to shift.

As part of this ongoing Graph Chat video series, Amy Hodler, Executive Director of GraphGeeks, interviews Max Latey, the CEO & Founder of Pinboard Consulting, at the Pinboard offices in London. Watch their discussion below!

Graph Chat Interview with Max Latey on the End of Graph Friction

In this Graph Chat, Max Latey discusses the shift in how enterprise organizations are adopting graph technology. He covers the long history of graph friction among enterprise architects, and the two big shifts that have made graph in-roads with enterprise teams:

• GraphRAG
• Graphs on relational data

The surge of generative AI and LLMs is making graph technology a must-have. GraphRAG in particular is helping AI tools hallucinate less often with richer context, and enterprise architects have noticed.

Graph technology on top of relational data has also made it easier than ever for enterprise teams to start sprinkling throughout their existing stacks without heavy ETL, according to Max.

For teams that are using AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, the ease of graph query engine like PuppyGraph is a better way to start with graph querying.

Next, Max and Amy discuss the challenge of graph data modeling and why understanding self-edges is the key to identifying a true network in your data. Max then explains his “side-by-side” data modeling method that helps relational teams better understand the graph approach.

Finally, Max notes that query language standardization around SQL:2023 and GQL are both making graph technology more accessible to data teams.

More about Pinboard Consulting

Founded by Max Latey – who was name-checked in the gdotv investment announcement – Pinboard Consulting specializes in high-impact graph solutions, entity resolution, and architectural strategy.

Based in London, the Pinboard team is dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals within the world of graph data – using whatever vendor, tool, or approach best suits their needs. ​

Subscribe for More Graph Chats

The Graph Chat video series by GraphGeeks aims to ask diverse leaders and practitioners about where the future of graph technology is headed. Check out the full playlist of Graph Chats for more episodes!

If you enjoyed this Graph Chat interview with Max Latey, subscribe to the GraphGeeks YouTube channel for more great discussions with leaders across the graph technology space.