Network Communications News (NCN) December 2016 | Page 6

I NDUST RY NEW S
Data explosion intensifies demand for
business intelligence tools that analyse multisource data in diverse formats
Frost & Sullivan’s TechVision
team has found that artificial
intelligence, Internet of Things
(IoT), augmented reality and
mobile technologies can
offer accurate prediction and
simulation of complex datacentric problems.
A data explosion,
spearheaded by the rapid
proliferation of Big Data,
cloud and in-memory
computing is making a
strong case for the greater
‘technologification’ of
business intelligence (BI)
solutions.
The market is moving
away from traditional BI
processes involving complex
spreadsheets, toward agile BI
solutions that offer a deeper
understanding of correlations
in data. New-age BI solutions boast improved interactivity as well as enriched data and user experience, enabled by
advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). Data driven machine intelligence from AI and analytics will prove
particularly useful for real time, accurate insights.
Technologies Transforming Business Intelligence is a new analysis from TechVision. It finds that BI is gradually
shifting from on premise data storage and intelligence models to cloud based, on-demand and flexible offerings. The
demand for mobile BI solutions is also on the rise.
There is also high demand for self-service BI with personalised user experience on mobile devices.
Wearable devices like smart glasses powered by augmented reality technology will be extensively used for
personalised BI experiences.
Another important trend that will influence future BI solutions is technology convergence. Leveraging
convergence, next-generation solutions will be able to achieve superior scales of data processing and data driven
intelligence from massive data sources, facilitating accurate prediction and simulation of complex data centric
problems in every sector.
Future technologies and trends such as IoT, brain computer interface (BCI) and virtual reality (VR) are set to
open up new dimensions in BI, with future BI experiences expected to be both interactive and personalised.

Broadcom to acquire Brocade
Communications Systems for $5.9 billion
Broadcom is set to acquire Brocade for $12.75 per share in an all cash transaction, valued at approximately $5.5
billion plus $0.4 billion of nebt debt.
Broadcom expects to fund the transaction with new debt financing and cash available on its balance sheet.
Broadcom, with the support of Brocade, plans to divest Brocade’s IP networking business, consisting of wireless
and campus networking, data centre switching and routing, and software networking solutions.
This strategic acquisition enhances Broadcom’s position as a provider of enterprise storage connectivity
solutions to OEM customers. With deep expertise in mission-critical storage networking, Brocade will increase
Broadcom’s ability to address the evolving needs of their OEM customers.
Upon closing, the transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Broadcom’s non-GAAP free cash
flow and earnings per share. Broadcom currently anticipates that Brocade’s FC SAN business will contribute
approximately $900m, of pro forma non-GAAP EBITDA in its fiscal year 2018.

New study
indicates
major shifts
in IT labour
market
More than one third of
IT professionals plan
to search for a new
employer and one in four
plan to accept a new job
next year according to
IT management tools
provider, Spicework’s
latest study.
Tech Career Outlook
also found that 69 per
cent of IT professionals
plan to switch jobs to
advance their IT skills,
while 64 per cent are
looking for a more
competitive salary and 40
per cent want to work for
a company that makes IT
more of a priority.
The survey results
show that although 61 per
cent of IT professionals
feel appreciated by
their current employer,
59 per cent feel they’re
underpaid. However, 70
per cent of respondents
expect the IT job market
to remain favourable in
2017, leading many to
believe higher paying
jobs with more potential
for advancement will exist
in the coming year.
In terms of the tech
skills necessary to be
successful, 95 per cent
highlighted cybersecurity
expertise. As a result, 62
per cent said they plan to
focus on improving this skill
via certifications or training.
Respondents
came from a variety
of industries including
manufacturing,
healthcare, nonprofits,
education, government,
and finance.

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