Analytics Magazine Analytics Magazine, September/October 2014 | Page 44

Hig h - P erform a nc e A na ly tic s Orga n izat ion At HP, our belief is that big data analytics impacts analytics in two ways: 1. helping answer existing/legacy questions in newer ways and, 2. addressing a range of newer questions and decisions organizations face today. An example of the existing/legacy question is the area of segmentation, a well-understood area in marketing and customer analytics. The challenge for most business analytics teams, though, is to look at segmentation with the fresh lens of big data analytics: How can big data help make segmentation better? Examples of how big data analytics can help address new questions is perhaps best exemplified when considering either social media analytics or machine/ sensor data analytics. These diverse areas are important aspects in business decision-making and impact such functions as marketing, manufacturing, customer service and R&D. Both require new analytical approaches to manage the large streams of data that get generated. Summary To realize value from big data analytics, organizations need to integrate technology, tools and practices with existing analytics ecosystems. The choices to make in terms of which tools to select and which skills to develop need careful consideration and have a long-term impact on an organization’s 44 | a n a ly t i c s - m a g a z i n e . o r g ability to integrate big data analytics. Analytics organizations should start by considering four key questions: 1. What technology and tools are needed? 2. What platform is best for i