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Praise for Taming the Big Data Tidal Wave: Finding Opportunities in Huge Data Streams with Advanced Analytics
"This book . . . puts the focus squarely where it belongs . . . It's primarily about the effective analysis of big data, rather than the big data management (BDM) topic per se. It starts with data and goes all the way into such topics as how to frame decisions, how to build an analytics center of excellence, and how to build an analytical culture. You will find some mentions of BDM topics, as you should. But the bulk of the content here is about how to create, organize, staff, and execute on analytical initiatives that make use of data as the input."
—From the Foreword by Thomas H. Davenport, President's Distinguished Professor of IT and Management, Babson College, cofounder and Research Director, International Institute for Analytics
"This is a one-stop handbook for anyone who wants to understand what big data is and how to leverage it through advanced analytic processes and methods. Bill Franks intimately understands and describes how to create an entire analytics ecosystem intended to deliver competitive advantage."
—Stuart Aitken, CEO, dunnhumby USA
"In Taming the Big Data Tidal Wave, Bill Franks does a great job introducing both big data and the kind of analytics that will generate value from the waves of new data that are washing over companies. Easy to read and with helpful wrap-up sections in each chapter, the book avoids technical jargon without being lightweight. In this great introductory book, Bill makes a powerful case for analytic innovation and for getting started now."
—James Taylor, CEO, Decision Management Solutions and author of Decision Management Systems: A Practical Guide to Using Business Rules and Predictive Analytics
"In case you ever wondered why big data is providing business value in many industries, this book gives you perspectives and answers from many angles—from the tech side, to data science, to business users and processes. In my entire career of researching and lecturing on analytics, I have never encountered a book that combines the knowledge of both information technology and business managers in such a succinct way. I would recommend it to anyone whose career intersects with big data."
—Diego Klabjan, Professor at Northwestern University; Director, Master of Science in Analytics
"Bill Franks provides an entertaining and consumable take on a complex and intricate topic. The mix of insights applicable to practitioners and novices alike make this a critical read for someone new to the analytics space or to anyone in the space wanting to ensure they can learn from an accomplished leader. Franks' view across multiple industries and uses of big data have positioned him well to deliver this entry into the emergence of the space."
—Richard Maltsbarger, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Foreword xiii
Preface xvii
Acknowledgments xxv
PART ONE THE RISE OF BIG DATA 1
Chapter 1 What Is Big Data and Why Does It Matter? 3
What Is Big Data? 4
Is the “Big” Part or the “Data” Part More Important? 5
How Is Big Data Different? 7
How Is Big Data More of the Same? 9
Risks of Big Data 10
Why You Need to Tame Big Data 12
The Structure of Big Data 14
Exploring Big Data 16
Most Big Data Doesn’t Matter 17
Filtering Big Data Effectively 20
Mixing Big Data with Traditional Data 21
The Need for Standards 22
Today’s Big Data Is Not Tomorrow’s Big Data 24
Wrap-Up 26
Notes 27
Chapter 2 Web Data: The Original Big Data 29
Web Data Overview 30
What Web Data Reveals 36
Web Data in Action 42
Wrap-Up 50
Note 51
Chapter 3 A Cross-Section of Big Data Sources and the Value They Hold 53
Auto Insurance: The Value of Telematics Data 54
Multiple Industries: The Value of Text Data 57
Multiple Industries: The Value of Time and Location Data 60
Retail and Manufacturing: The Value of Radio Frequency Identification Data 64
Utilities: The Value of Smart-Grid Data 68
Gaming: The Value of Casino Chip Tracking Data 71
Industrial Engines and Equipment: The Value of Sensor Data 73
Video Games: The Value of Telemetry Data 76
Telecommunications and Other Industries: The Value of Social Network Data 78
Wrap-Up 82
PART TWO TAMING BIG DATA: THE TECHNOLOGIES, PROCESSES, AND METHODS 85
Chapter 4 The Evolution of Analytic Scalability 87
A History of Scalability 88
The Convergence of the Analytic and Data Environments 90
Massively Parallel Processing Systems 93
Cloud Computing 102
Grid Computing 109
MapReduce 110
It Isn’t an Either/Or Choice! 117
Wrap-Up 118
Notes 119
Chapter 5 The Evolution of Analytic Processes 121
The Analytic Sandbox 122
What Is an Analytic Data Set? 133
Enterprise Analytic Data Sets 137
Embedded Scoring 145
Wrap-Up 151
Chapter 6 The Evolution of Analytic Tools and Methods 153
The Evolution of Analytic Methods 154
The Evolution of Analytic Tools 163
Wrap-Up 175
Notes 176
PART THREE TAMING BIG DATA: THE PEOPLE AND APPROACHES 177
Chapter 7 What Makes a Great Analysis? 179
Analysis versus Reporting 179
Analysis: Make It G.R.E.A.T.! 184
Core Analytics versus Advanced Analytics 186
Listen to Your Analysis 188
Framing the Problem Correctly 189
Statistical Signifi cance versus Business Importance 191
Samples versus Populations 195
Making Inferences versus Computing Statistics 198
Wrap-Up 200
Chapter 8 What Makes a Great Analytic Professional? 201
Who Is the Analytic Professional? 202
The Common Misconceptions about Analytic Professionals 203
Every Great Analytic Professional Is an Exception 204
The Often Underrated Traits of a Great Analytic Professional 208
Is Analytics Certifi cation Needed, or Is It Noise? 222
Wrap-Up 224
Chapter 9 What Makes a Great Analytics Team? 227
All Industries Are Not Created Equal 228
Just Get Started! 230
There’s a Talent Crunch out There 231
Team Structures 232
Keeping a Great Team’s Skills Up 237
Who Should Be Doing Advanced Analytics? 241
Why Can’t IT and Analytic Professionals Get Along? 245
Wrap-Up 247
Notes 248
PART FOUR BRINGING IT TOGETHER: THE ANALYTICS CULTURE 249
Chapter 10 Enabling Analytic Innovation 251
Businesses Need More Innovation 252
Traditional Approaches Hamper Innovation 253
Defi ning Analytic Innovation 255
Iterative Approaches to Analytic Innovation 256
Consider a Change in Perspective 257
Are You Ready for an Analytic Innovation Center? 259
Wrap-Up 269
Note 270
Chapter 11 Creating a Culture of Innovation and Discovery 271
Setting the Stage 272
Overview of the Key Principles 274
Wrap-Up 290
Notes 291
Conclusion: Think Bigger! 293
About the Author 295
Index 297
Anonymous
Posted September 17, 2012
My background is with an area of the Government where there is no concern for analyzing big data for improving a competitive position or profit margin. This book was so easy to read and understand that I achieved a good understanding of what the private sector needs to do with big data in order to improve their competitive advantage and profits. The discussion of what constitutes big data certainly opened my eyes as to how our internet usage and other data about us is being recorded and analyzed. The arguments presented clearly justify the need for qualified analytical professionals as a distinct part of an organization. This book is a must read for anyone in an organization that needs to do analytics and for students studying for a career that will involve the creation or use of analytics.
D. Campbell
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 8, 2012
One~Summerburst is locked out!!!!! Two~Leopardkit for some reason is at the Freedom Chaser's camp!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 25, 2012
Maplepaw laid down.* In his dream he saw tons of white feathers. Suddenly they started swirling. Then they dropped down again. The feathers formed a familiar face. Frostpaw! Maplepaw thought silently. Then he heard the prophicey, " Like a feather Frost will rise. Stronger than even the the sun rise. The clan will win all.* Just then he woke up with a start.~Maplepaw
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 6, 2012
I poke my head in. Leopardkit!? Where are you? I call. Suddenly, i felt an odd sensation. I shook my head. There was a wall of soil surrounding me. I couldnt move or see anything besides the dirt. When i looked down, i saw golden paws, speckled with silver leopard spots. I was seeing through leopardkits eyes!
~•~Flickerstar~•~
Anonymous
Posted November 17, 2012
-Drizzlestorm
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 25, 2012
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Overview
Praise for Taming the Big Data Tidal Wave: Finding Opportunities in Huge Data Streams with Advanced Analytics
"This book . . . puts the focus squarely where it belongs . . . It's primarily about the effective analysis of big data, rather than the big data management (BDM) topic per se. It starts with data and goes all the way into such topics as how to frame decisions, how to build an analytics center of excellence, and how to build an analytical culture. You will find some mentions of BDM topics, as you should. ...