A system and method for operating a big-data platform that includes at a data analysis platform, receiving discrete client data; storing the client data in a network accessible distributed storage system that includes: storing the client data in a real-time storage system; and merging the client data into a columnar-based distributed archive storage system; receiving a data query request through a query interface; and selectively interfacing with the client data from the real-time storage system and archive storage system according to the query.