Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Is Big Data eclipsing traditional BI?

by Srini Vinnakota

While some still consider Big Data a tool confined to behemoths like Google and Amazon, an ever-increasing number of B2B organisations of all sizes are moving beyond the constraints of traditional business intelligence by taking on the challenge of harnessing Big Data.

As interest in Big Data increases, so do the number of tools available to address its demands. But looking for answers outside of your organisation presents new challenges, temptations and roadblocks.

How do you revitalise your social media strategy?

Lots of companies talk about social networking and strategy, but few do anything about it, and this is nowhere more true than at midsized companies, according to a couple of recent studies, said Erik Sherman on inc.com. The irony is that their CEOs increasingly are interested in integrating social into their strategies.

One survey shows that 45% of CEOs of companies with between 100 and 1,000 employees thought that they needed a more open environment and greater use of Facebook, Twitter, and other social platforms. That number is about double what it was last year.

3D printing – the next industrial revolution?

Will 3D printing be the most important – and amazing – technological development of the next decade?

Think about it. Potentially we will all have the ability to download templates from the web, purchase the basic ingredients we need (the ‘ink’) and then create whatever we want, in our homes, offices or wherever? According to the BBC, printers for home use cost around £1,000 which seems to be the standard ‘starting price’ for new technology kit, and which so far at least, have quickly tumbled.

Who are you going to blame when things go wrong?

People, products or processes…. When IT projects go over budget, deadlines are missed or scope reduced, where do you start when it comes to finding the cause?

It was Dot Olonovich who sparked a wide-ranging debate on the Business Technology Forum and which resulted in some to-the-point remarks. “Poor Planning start to end,” said Leonard Paskel. “People, people, people,” added Steve Long. “Misunderstanding requirements,” said Zeeshan Rizvi. “Sheer incompetence,” said Douglas Topken. “Scope creep,” was Ken Harvey’s view. “The project was either improperly scoped in the beginning, or things just begin to change as the project materialises.”

Should customers play a central role in product developmemnt?

By Andrew Stone

 

It’s an uncomfortable fact that as customers we are growing ever more capricious and demanding. With the swipe of a touchscreen device we can command our own little consumer empires, selecting and dismissing from a world of choice in products and services that even the most pampered kings of old couldn’t have dreamed of.

 

This fast changing, often digitally-powered revolution is leaving many businesses struggling to keep up, stay relevant and maintain margins. Technology is driving this trend but it also offers answers to those prepared to adapt intelligently.