It’s the last day of the year and what a year it was in big data. To take us out of this year into the next, we’re looking back on five top big data moments in 2013. Enjoy these as you count down the hours to your New Year’s Eve festivities.
Big Data Moment No. 5 – Defining Big Data
This year everyone wanted to offer up a REAL definition of big data. This one from Gartner Inc. was probably the most widely used:
“Big data is high-volume, high-velocity and high-variety information assets that demand cost-effective, innovative forms of information processing for enhanced insight and decision making.”
Here are a few resources that help define what big data really means:
- 5 Ways to Drive the Big Data Discussion
- What Is Big Data Anyway?
- An interesting take on the Gartner definition – a missing V from TIBCO – Value in Big Data
Big Data Moment No. 4 – Big Data Is Beating Out Big Research
Lots of articles popped up this year railing against academia and big research for their “outdated practices, skill sets and sample sizes.”
This article was particularly enlightening on the problems found with traditional market research. The biggest problem with “traditional research” is that it’s too slow,” the article notes. Big data gives us access to right-in-time insights that allow our organizations to react, respond and really make a difference.
Big Data Moment No. 3 – Mobile and Location Analytics is Gaining Momentum Fast
Mobile BI is a reality for many companies, but for it to be really meaningful, it’s got to be more than sharing dashboards and across-the-board KPIs.
Customization and the ability to access analytics when they need it is important for your sales and frontline employees. Plus, location metrics are gaining momentum in maintaining competitiveness.
Here are a few resources related to this big data moment:
Big Data Moment No. 2 – Data is Not One Size Fits All
As we opined in a blog post on this big data moment, the size of the data is not always the end-game for analytics-driven enterprises.
Here’s a quote that sums up why data isn’t about size, but context:
“Anyone who has led a meeting concerning a number update understands that each team member wants a different cut of the data, because there’s no perfect dashboard that satisfies everyone.”
Big Data Moment No. 1 – Business Value is the Point of Big Data
Big data may be full of buzz and hyperbole, but it’s true value is the value it brings to business. And that’s why we ranked it the number one moment of 2013.
We think business value trumps all other trends because if a technology solution isn’t bringing value to your business, is it really worth the focus?
Here are a few resources on this topic for you:
Next Steps:
- Subscribe to our blog to keep up to date on all the big data moments of the year to come.
