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Big Data Revolution: What farmers, doctors and insurance agents teach us about discovering big data patterns
Exploit the power and potential of Big Data to revolutionize business outcomes
Big Data Revolution is a guide to improving performance, making better decisions, and transforming business through the effective use of Big Data. In this collaborative work by an IBM Vice President of Big Data Products and an Oxford Research Fellow, this book presents inside stories that demonstrate the power and potential of Big Data within the business realm. Readers are guided through tried-and-true methodologies for getting more out of data, and using it to the utmost advantage. This book describes the major trends emerging in the field, the pitfalls and triumphs being experienced, and the many considerations surrounding Big Data, all while guiding readers toward better decision making from the perspective of a data scientist. Companies are generating data faster than ever before, and managing that data has become a major challenge. With the right strategy, Big Data can be a powerful tool for creating effective business solutions – but deep understanding is key when applying it to individual business needs. Big Data Revolution provides the insight executives need to incorporate Big Data into a better business strategy, improving outcomes with innovation and efficient use of technology. In an information society, it is becoming increasingly important to make sense of data in an economically viable way. It can drive new revenue streams and give companies a competitive advantage, providing a way forward for businesses navigating an increasingly complex marketplace. Big Data Revolution provides expert insight on the tool that can revolutionize industries.
Big Data Revolution is a guide to improving performance, making better decisions, and transforming business through the effective use of Big Data. In this collaborative work by an IBM Vice President of Big Data Products and an Oxford Research Fellow, this book presents inside stories that demonstrate the power and potential of Big Data within the business realm. Readers are guided through tried-and-true methodologies for getting more out of data, and using it to the utmost advantage. This book describes the major trends emerging in the field, the pitfalls and triumphs being experienced, and the many considerations surrounding Big Data, all while guiding readers toward better decision making from the perspective of a data scientist. Companies are generating data faster than ever before, and managing that data has become a major challenge. With the right strategy, Big Data can be a powerful tool for creating effective business solutions – but deep understanding is key when applying it to individual business needs. Big Data Revolution provides the insight executives need to incorporate Big Data into a better business strategy, improving outcomes with innovation and efficient use of technology. In an information society, it is becoming increasingly important to make sense of data in an economically viable way. It can drive new revenue streams and give companies a competitive advantage, providing a way forward for businesses navigating an increasingly complex marketplace. Big Data Revolution provides expert insight on the tool that can revolutionize industries.
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2014
11 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Rob Thomas
3 books2 followersRob Thomas is Vice President of Product Development in IBM Software Group. He is based in Somers, NY, and brings extensive experience in management, business development, and consulting in the high technology and financial services industries. He has worked extensively with global businesses and his background includes experience in business and operational strategy, high technology, acquisitions and divestitures, manufacturing operations, and product design and development.
In his current role, Mr. Thomas leads product development for Big Data and Information Management. His scope includes the development of IBM’s database, data warehouse, Hadoop, data security, and data integration products. His focus is on cloud, appliance, and on-premise software development, with an emphasis on Agile development processes and continuous delivery. Mr. Thomas also has responsibility for appliance manufacturing and operations. Mr. Thomas has development sites around the world, with substantial operations in the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, China, and India.
Prior to this role, Mr. Thomas held a variety of roles in IBM Software Group. He led Big Data field operations, which is IBM’s business unit focused on analytics and big data. Previous to this, Mr. Thomas led Business Development for Information Management software, where he architected the company strategy to acquire and partner for Big Data technology. He was responsible for mergers & acquisitions, channel strategy and sales, major ISV and SI partnerships. Mr. Thomas led IBM’s acquisition of Initiate Systems, Netezza, and Vivisimo.
Prior to this, Mr. Thomas had general management responsibilities for IBM’s engineering services and semiconductor business in Asia Pacific. Based in Tokyo, Japan, he was responsible for this $1B operation, which included custom product design and development, as well as manufacturing. He led a team with locations throughout Asia, including development centers in Japan, China, and India. Mr. Thomas personally managed key engagements with Nintendo (microprocessor design for the Wii), Sony, Konica Minolta, Lenovo, CEC/Greatwall, Samsung, and other leading electronics companies.
Mr. Thomas started with IBM in IBM Global Business Services (GBS). As a Partner in GBS, Mr. Thomas led the sales and execution of a variety of consulting engagements, focused on strategy and change, operational improvement, and IT implementations. Symbol Technologies, Sanmina SCI, and AXA Insurance were key clients of Mr. Thomas.
Prior to joining IBM, Mr. Thomas performed as an equity research associate at Merrill Lynch and Wheat First Securities, developing a competence in how to value company operations and explore strategic alternatives for companies in a variety of industries.
Mr. Thomas is an avid golfer and exercise enthusiast. He lives in New Canaan, CT with his wife and three children.
In his current role, Mr. Thomas leads product development for Big Data and Information Management. His scope includes the development of IBM’s database, data warehouse, Hadoop, data security, and data integration products. His focus is on cloud, appliance, and on-premise software development, with an emphasis on Agile development processes and continuous delivery. Mr. Thomas also has responsibility for appliance manufacturing and operations. Mr. Thomas has development sites around the world, with substantial operations in the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, China, and India.
Prior to this role, Mr. Thomas held a variety of roles in IBM Software Group. He led Big Data field operations, which is IBM’s business unit focused on analytics and big data. Previous to this, Mr. Thomas led Business Development for Information Management software, where he architected the company strategy to acquire and partner for Big Data technology. He was responsible for mergers & acquisitions, channel strategy and sales, major ISV and SI partnerships. Mr. Thomas led IBM’s acquisition of Initiate Systems, Netezza, and Vivisimo.
Prior to this, Mr. Thomas had general management responsibilities for IBM’s engineering services and semiconductor business in Asia Pacific. Based in Tokyo, Japan, he was responsible for this $1B operation, which included custom product design and development, as well as manufacturing. He led a team with locations throughout Asia, including development centers in Japan, China, and India. Mr. Thomas personally managed key engagements with Nintendo (microprocessor design for the Wii), Sony, Konica Minolta, Lenovo, CEC/Greatwall, Samsung, and other leading electronics companies.
Mr. Thomas started with IBM in IBM Global Business Services (GBS). As a Partner in GBS, Mr. Thomas led the sales and execution of a variety of consulting engagements, focused on strategy and change, operational improvement, and IT implementations. Symbol Technologies, Sanmina SCI, and AXA Insurance were key clients of Mr. Thomas.
Prior to joining IBM, Mr. Thomas performed as an equity research associate at Merrill Lynch and Wheat First Securities, developing a competence in how to value company operations and explore strategic alternatives for companies in a variety of industries.
Mr. Thomas is an avid golfer and exercise enthusiast. He lives in New Canaan, CT with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 5, 2017
The subtitle of this huge book is "What Farmers, Doctors and Insurance Agents Teach Us about Discovering Big Data Patterns". This is a 2015 very interesting book on the topic of Big Data. I really liked the accuracy of the topics and the deep research behind every chapter, from farmers to doctors, to retail stores to insurance. This is a fascinating topic, and in the future many professionals will live very successfull lifes due to their knowledge in this important matter.
This is the cover page of the book I read. It shows a parade of analysts with their charts -very funny. I also extracted the dedicatories to the authors family and friends:
This is part of the contents. Actually, this is a very dense and long book. I didn't reproduce all the contents here, only the first and last page so you have a view of how long and serious this book is:
This is the first page of the prologue. A story about a Berkley student:
And this is the first page of the introduction, where the authors talk about how important is telling stories and who are the intended audience for this book:
The following three pages show a more detailed overview of the book. Here we learn that they are talking about a "Revolution" because data will definitely change the world:
This is the last page of the book. The epilogue is a reflection on how this new facility to produce and analyze data will change our society and the world as we know it:
The following is a more detailed description of the nine industries that the authors analyze in this book: Farming, Medicine, Insurance, Retail, Customer Relations, Machinery, Government, Corporate Sustainability, and Weather and Energy.
Here is the overview of the "Patterns" section of the book, and how this is a nascent revolution that will give plenty of opportunity for the new generations to be productive in the new world:
Here is a deeper description of the Health Industry Data predicament. I am particularly interested in this, so I took note of this part with great care:
The following is a picture of how the authors view the medicine industry in 2030. I trully really hope they are wrong:
These are some ideas in Data Governance. Always good to have a good few words handy:
These are some steps that the authors explain in their methodology:
Some words on Data Virtualization:
And the complete epilogue, in case you need some ideas for future papers on the topic:
In conclusion, an extremely interesting and useful book. I will keep it on my shelves for reference in this important topic.
Well, I hope you liked this entry. Did you know that I also have a blog? Take a look here: http://lunairereadings.blogspot.com
This is the cover page of the book I read. It shows a parade of analysts with their charts -very funny. I also extracted the dedicatories to the authors family and friends:
This is part of the contents. Actually, this is a very dense and long book. I didn't reproduce all the contents here, only the first and last page so you have a view of how long and serious this book is:
This is the first page of the prologue. A story about a Berkley student:
And this is the first page of the introduction, where the authors talk about how important is telling stories and who are the intended audience for this book:
The following three pages show a more detailed overview of the book. Here we learn that they are talking about a "Revolution" because data will definitely change the world:
This is the last page of the book. The epilogue is a reflection on how this new facility to produce and analyze data will change our society and the world as we know it:
The following is a more detailed description of the nine industries that the authors analyze in this book: Farming, Medicine, Insurance, Retail, Customer Relations, Machinery, Government, Corporate Sustainability, and Weather and Energy.
Here is the overview of the "Patterns" section of the book, and how this is a nascent revolution that will give plenty of opportunity for the new generations to be productive in the new world:
Here is a deeper description of the Health Industry Data predicament. I am particularly interested in this, so I took note of this part with great care:
The following is a picture of how the authors view the medicine industry in 2030. I trully really hope they are wrong:
These are some ideas in Data Governance. Always good to have a good few words handy:
These are some steps that the authors explain in their methodology:
Some words on Data Virtualization:
And the complete epilogue, in case you need some ideas for future papers on the topic:
In conclusion, an extremely interesting and useful book. I will keep it on my shelves for reference in this important topic.
Well, I hope you liked this entry. Did you know that I also have a blog? Take a look here: http://lunairereadings.blogspot.com
May 9, 2020
I wasn't so excited during my reading, unfortunately...
January 1, 2017
OK as an introduction for those sofar oblivious to the subject, too superficial for anyone else. Part 1 is fairly good as it gives examples and use cases showing where big data (potentially) comes into play. Part 3 is more a university textbook, but too superficial too really get you started. As mr. Thomas is responsible for Analytics Sales at IBM it is probably mostly trying to scare his potential customers into action.
July 17, 2015
I found the annotated lists quite useful. Chapter 12 includes 54 "patterns in Big Data" preceded by a summation of several dozen "Big Data factors" covered in the chapters leading up the 12.
April 21, 2017
A few notes...
-Early in the book, one of the lines that grabbed my attention was, “Organizations that do not manage to utilize their data assets will eventually become extinct” (Thomas & McSharry, 2015, p.7).
-Great examples were delved into in detail about how data will help in a variety of industries
-I recommend this book to gain a better insight into the “Data Revolution” that is coming
For a detailed review of this book, read it HERE
Big Data Revolution: What Farmers, Doctors and Insurance Agents Teach Us about Discovering Big Data Patterns
-Early in the book, one of the lines that grabbed my attention was, “Organizations that do not manage to utilize their data assets will eventually become extinct” (Thomas & McSharry, 2015, p.7).
-Great examples were delved into in detail about how data will help in a variety of industries
-I recommend this book to gain a better insight into the “Data Revolution” that is coming
For a detailed review of this book, read it HERE
Big Data Revolution: What Farmers, Doctors and Insurance Agents Teach Us about Discovering Big Data Patterns
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews