Taming The Big Data Tidal Wave - Hardcover

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.

TAMING THE BIG DATA TIDAL WAVE

Finding Opportunities in Huge Data Streams with Advanced Analytics

Big data is sprouting up everywhere. Leveraging it today will drive competitive advantage; ignoring it puts your organization at risk of lagging behind the competition. To keep your edge razor-sharp, you must aggressively pursue capturing and analyzing these new data sources to extract the insights that they offer . . . starting today! Taming the Big Data Tidal Wave provides you with the tools, processes, and methods you need to tackle big data and cultivate a culture of innovation and discovery in your organization.

With its unique focus on the effective analysis of these increasingly popular data sources, Taming the Big Data Tidal Wave shows you step by step how to design, incorporate, and profit from a world-class advanced analytics ecosystem in today's big data environment. Author and analytics expert Bill Franks shares his "from the trenches" perspective to show you how big data is changing the world of analytics. He maps out an easy-to-follow action plan to help your organization uncover new business opportunities, implement new business processes, and make better-informed decisions.

This user-friendly handbook explores a number of big data concepts and how they can be applied to improve your organization's analytics, including:

• What is big data, why is it important, and what are its benefits?
• Ten big data sources that can change your business, including web data, sensor data, text data, and others
• Technologies, processes, and methods required to tame big data
• The convergence of the analytic and data environments
• The evolution of visual point and click interfaces, analytic point solutions, open source tools, and data visualization tools
• Modern analytic approaches such as ensemble modeling, commodity models, and text analysis
• What makes a great analysis, a great analytic professional, and a great analytics team?
• Enabling analytic innovation through an analytic innovation center
• How to create a culture of innovation and discovery in your organization

To stay ahead of the pack, you need to tackle big data today. Discover everything you need to know to improve productivity, create value, stay competitive, spot new business trends, and generate exciting analytics with Taming the Big Data Tidal Wave.