Exploring the intersection of big data/software and energy storage to see how important software is to optimizing energy storage. We report on actual case studies to reveal ways to improve performance, reliability and safety. Energy storage assets are often dispatched into fast-changing markets where commercial outcomes may be favorable in the short term, but can be undercut by long term metrics like degradation. Understanding the trade-offs and strategies for operating these assets in today's complicated markets will give you insight into the way your energy storage system is performing given different timeframes and conditions.