Big Data Analytics Engine @ Home!!

Big Data Analytics, as most of us know, is the talk of the town these days. Many journal articles, research papers, and other columnists have been referring to it as Big Data, Data Analytics, Advanced Analytics, Data Mining, Big Data & Predictive Analytics, so on and so forth. From what I have been learning from articles since 2011 when Big Data Analytics was a baby-boomer, some even tagged it as pain-in-the-neck data, we-need-more-hardware analytics, etc., which itself showcases the different perceptions organizations and people had about the whole concept. Perceptions do change and let me take the liberty of addressing the whole concept as just “Big Data” throughout this article for ease of reference and writing.

I may not be an expert at Big Data but I believe I know what it is all about. It is always good to be a Jack-Of-All-Trades, from what experience has taught me. As I continue to learn more on this, I was thinking through our daily routine, be it at home or at work, and it is quite true that most of us live on Big Data day-in and day-out, just that not all of us think about it like that.

I used to be an MBA Faculty for some time during my career and I remember how I had spent few of my class hours in teaching my students on “Critical Analysis” as a concept in itself. I gave them different kinds of case studies to evaluate and made them write assignments which, probably, they would have hated then J but I do hope that my students put it in practice today, may be without even realizing the fact that they are doing it. Anyhow, the point I am given to understand is that Big Data is not very different. It is a breakdown of data to derive at a result and as technology is advancing, Big Data has grown from ‘some’ number crunching to ‘huge’ or should I say ‘humongous’ number crunching to ‘verbal – written or oral’ data crunching. It’s like chewing on a chewing gum until all its juices are extracted and you just have some kind of a rubber left that you flush out. Also, the reason why I said that Big Data is not ‘very different’ from Critical Analysis is because it gives you results from a data set but not a critically analysed one. That, I believe, is still our job but, let us also admit the fact that we are not too far away from that with Artificial Intelligence wading its way into our lives.

Another interesting find was my realization that I have a Big Data Analytics engine right at home. I just went – “wooohooo!!”. It runs through all my data - official and personal (mostly) and keeps throwing result sets at me, in the likes of reminders, follow up information, daily routines, exercise regime though I do it or not is a different question, eating habits, and what not. And to look at it more closely, it was not just Big Data but Big Data built into Artificial Intelligence. There are also cases when it dictates and all I can do is to be obedient and take actions.

By now, I have aired enough clues for you to know what that is and if you are still wondering what it is, then let me tell you friends, it is none other than my “WIFE”. So true, isn’t it?? I know you might be laughing because even I am, but think about it:

1. Access to ‘almost’ all of my information – Phew!!
2. Processes each and every bit of my information - of course, with whatever ‘little’ she knows.
3. Produces real time results, and questions - it is a ‘package’ and not on sale individually.
4. Access to all kind of technology – be it mobile, social, laptop, etc. You name it.
5. Influence my actions and educate me about obedience – Well!! She calls it ‘shopping’!

The list could probably go on if you dig deeper but I think I have already done enough self-damage. I have been winking and showing lot of faces while narrating the above and I just hope she understands that too.

Jokes apart, Big Data is that one thing that is, and will be, the core of all our transactions going forward, be it at home or work, and be it with respect to any technology domain we consider.

And to my lovely lady friends who may be reading this article, please don’t come and tell me that gossiping is also brain-storming and data breakdown for better analytical results.