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Today it isn’t easy to imagine an activity that does not generate any data. Simple activities such as listening to music or reading a book on the internet create data. Our smartphone (or tablet) collects data about its use. Our browser gathers information about what we are looking for with its help. Our bank branch collects data on shopping sites and online stores where we shop by using a credit card. Information is used today in all areas such as politics, science, health, defense, finance, banking, and even insurance. Their use is so great that whether we like it or not, data, and thus big data, affect our everyday life. Let’s take a look at some examples of the daily uses of big data.
According to a study by IBM Marketing Cloud, 90% of the current data on the internet was generated in the last two years. Today, in addition to the fact that more and more end-users are using the internet and creating regular content, more and more sensors, machines and devices are connected to the IoT, generating oceans of binary data. Indeed, today’s companies struggle with the problem of effective data management. The use of big data technology enables a rational analysis of this data.
Industry experts say we are at the so-called “Industry 4.0” door, generally recognized as the “Fourth Industrial Revolution.” One of the exciting and unique things that Industry 4.0 makes possible is big data.
Big data, what is it?
Big data is a relatively new discipline at the crossroads of mathematics, statistics, ICT, and even sociology, requiring specialized and highly desirable skills. The basic idea behind big data is the evolution (transformation) of data collection and processing or the entire huge digital footprint that we leave behind that we and others can use and analyze. Such use and analysis create valuable services that translate into our lives and the way we do business. Big data, therefore, leads to our knowledge to use more voluminous data ever. The adjective “BIG” corresponds to a massive amount of data, but not only that, but it also means heterogeneity.
Opinion leaders, academics, and other vital players agree that big data is changing the game’s rules in most, if not all, modern industries in recent years. As big data continues to permeate our daily lives, the attention it receives has shifted from hype to looking for real value in using it.
Examples of daily uses of big data
Most of the time, we define big data as a tool that improves business results. The data is analyzed to study the company’s various branches’ activities and find areas for improvement. We may not be conscious of it, but big data is present and affects many aspects of our daily lives.
1. Customize your eCommerce experience
Faced with the competitiveness of the e-commerce sector and consumer volatility, retailers have observed that mass discourse and over-categorization are no longer relevant to the current market. So they quickly decided that personalizing navigation could be the best way to grab consumers’ attention. In particular, thanks to customized product suggestions made possible by big data. Currently, according to this analysis, many e-commerce sites offer smooth navigation that is ideally suited to their visitors.
For example, Amazon personalizes the homepage of its website based on your likes, interests, previous research, and data mining.
2. Predicting weather crises
Scientists can predict tsunamis and other natural disasters by combining marine observation sensors and ocean data with analytical tools and machine learning. In this way, thousands of lives can be saved by predicting disasters.
3. Improving medical monitoring
In combination with Deep Learning and robotics, big data is used to improve medical care for patients. Today, thanks to data analysis, medics can predict which patients are likely to fail to comply with the doctor’s recommendations. We can also create mobile applications to verify whether the patient is taking medications—other apps record information about calls, SMS, location, sleep cycles, and more. So doctors and family can be alerted if the patient shows disturbing symptoms.
Because of the development in the mass of data collected and its quality, and thanks to the ability to analyze and understand data, it will soon be possible to improve the treatment of patients, better understand diseases and fight cancer more effectively.
4. Strengthening safety in airplanes
Big data is used to improve the performance of aircraft, but also their safety. For example, analytical technologies can reduce turbulence and identify engine faults much faster than in the past. Aeronautical data also allows for the refinement of flight plans and informing the crew to replace parts well before it fails.
Also read: 5 Cloud Computing Basics You Should Know
5. Optimize business processes
Big data will also have a substantial impact on business processes. For example, complex operations such as Supply Chain Management (SCM) will be optimized in real-time based on social media data analysis questions, purchasing trends, road traffic, or weather stations.
Another example concerns the management of human resources, from recruitment to assessing the corporate culture or the measurement of staff engagement and needs. Under HR Analytics, specialists collect all kinds of data valid for managers to make better decisions. For example, integrated HR software collects raw data and then presents it with easy-to-understand charts and reports. Thanks to this, employees and HR managers can make informed strategic decisions in employee satisfaction, the durability of employment relationships, or employee productivity.
Given the benefits that can bring to companies from big data analytics, more and more companies are using big data consulting to increase their operational efficiency.
6. Development of smart cities
In the field of security, the authorities will be able to use the power of big data to improve the monitoring and management of events endangering our security or to predict potential criminal actions in real life (road accidents, theft, disaster management) or virtual (financial transactions, electronic espionage, fraudulent).
The applications of big data in both business and everyday life are truly unlimited. Today, despite the intensive development of this field of knowledge, we are only witnessing the beginning of big data transformation. Imagine how much it can change our lives in the future! When everything around us starts using the Internet of Things, the possibilities of using big data will become enormous. The volume of data possible will continue to increase, and the analysis techniques will become more advanced. Big data is one of the elements that will shape the future of humanity.
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