Big Data is changing the way we solve problems

Our intelligence is defined by the decisions we make. Those decisions are based on the facts and information that we have in our hand at the time. Earlier, the data used during the decision-making process was discarded once the judgment was made. Not anymore.

Big data constructively processes and analyses large quantities of digital information to aid in decision-making. We use this data and reuse it over and over again to test conclusions, changing our decisions time after time if necessary. One big advantage of big data is its ability to deliver better business decisions in a fraction of the time. Big data is all about information. This information helps provide useful insights and appropriate solutions. In this article, we look at how some industries have used big data to solve their problems.

Travel

Traditionally, customers have to make a number of travel decisions - selecting from a choice of hotels, flights, car hire options, dates for planning their holidays, etc. Physical brochures became digital catalogs, but the visibility that the customer needed to make the decision still required to run through a multitude of options. And it was no easy task for a customer to compare all of these aspects. Many people would choose based on references given by their friends and family. Now travel companies can utilise big data technologies to search non-complex relationships and create dynamic pricing and recommendations with a sub-second response. This helps them take advantage of taxes, fuel and exchange rates to improve their operating margin.

Government

Earlier, governments relied on manual surveys and field visits to plan infrastructure projects. This led to lots of human errors But using big data has provided flexible techniques to manage, secure and analyze massive volumes of data so that government agencies can respond successfully to compliance, budget shortfalls and struggling economies even during times of adverse social, economic or natural disasters. Thus, it has become feasible for them to automate mistake-riddled manual processes, improve services, empower smart cities and lower costs.

source: www.hynter.com

Healthcare

Traditionally, diagnosing and treating diseases relied solely on the doctor’s skills and experience. A number of people used to die because of wrong diagnosis and treatment. But now researchers are employing the big data approach to study genetic and environmental factors to search for personalized treatments for patients.

Big data is also enabling us to shift from diagnosing and treating sickness to predicting and preventing illness and disease. Data related to individuals, from both their own sources and private healthcare providers, is growing exponentially.

By combining this data with genome mapping to predict diseases, healthcare could enter a new frontier. Combining data and using technology to streamline it means that healthcare professionals and individuals have the information required to make better decisions. Big data could not only reduce hospital visits but anticipate illnesses to prevent incapacitation or even death.

Organisations are increasingly using big data to create better experiences for their customers, creating digital worlds that are easier to navigate. But what big data is really delivering in successful projects is a greater insight; equipping organisations with the ability to make much smarter, data influenced decisions.