Big Data and Analytics -- A Numbers Game?

As we move forward into the new year, the big questions I am searching out have to do with the big data and analytics. In my previous post, my discussion looked back into the previous year and some of the major advancements in science and technology. I started woring with an organization, and subsequently became a member of ABC Technologies and their focus for 2013 is on Big Data and Analytics. I had my questions about it, so started with some research.

A few years ago, the TV series Numb3rs dealt with the algorithms of data. David Krumholtz played Charlie Eppes who had been a mathematical genius. He developed software programs that input a large quantity of data regarding crime scenes and the algoryithms it produced with commonality between the data were utilized to come to rational conclusions regarding crime. So how do you utilize big data anyway? Is it just taking up precious storage space?

Organizations today need to manage, process, and store huge amounts of complex data. The trick is to find tools that can help get control of your data, take on even the biggest business challenges, and turn data-driven insight into action quickly.

The initial focus of 'big data' has been about its increasing volume, velocity and variety — the "three Vs" — with little mention of real world application. Now is the time to get down to business. In order to deliver value from 'big data', businesses need to look beyond the nature of the data and re-assess the technologies, processes and policies they use to engage with that data. This 'total data' concept for delivering business value from 'big data', providing examples of how companies are seeking agile new data management technologies, business strategies and analytical approaches to turn the "three Vs" of data into actionable operational intelligence.

By adapting your organization’s data architecture and processes to address these three attributes of big data, you can improve operational efficiency, grow revenues and empower new business models, back to those "three Vs of data":

• Volume
• Variety
• Velocity

What should you expect to do in 2013 to succeed with big data?  Brett Sheppard with Tableau Software and  has written an information paper "7 Things You Need to Do About BIG DATA in 2013."

While BIG DATA and ANALYTICS still seems like it is trying to compete with the Leviathan in an overwhelming and out of control of information being plugged into programs, I think there may be a simple solution or formula to adapt and utilize that information to the greatest advantage. Maybe new software programs can handle the data dilemma!