Interview: real-time analysis of data sources

The vast majority of European enterprises already have in their resources tools that enable efficient collection and storage of data. After all, it has been known for a long time that the real value is information today. In order to effectively manage the company, make rational business decisions and create new development prospects, we must have a solid base. The question is: can you effectively extract those materials that are really important in the context of company development? Especially now, when we are flooded with information that the average person is unable to verify and process on their own. We ask these questions to one of our experts.

Marta Skiba: Tomek, the basic question of today’s conversation is: is it possible to effectively analyze large data sets?

• Tomasz Srebrny: Yes. You will probably ask how? Actually, I can only give one answer: software. Not so ordinary, of course. Huge amounts of data that are collected every day in enterprises need to be properly processed. Only in this way will they become useful to decision-makers and managers.

Marta Skiba: The prevailing belief is that data is a key success factor on the market. Do you agree with this thesis?

• Tomasz Srebrny: definitely, information is considered the raw material of the 21st century and there is a lot of truth in this. It is worth emphasizing clearly that having mechanisms that enable data collection is not a power right now. Most entrepreneurs have already equipped their companies with this type of software. Now the priority is to use data to make effective business decisions. This can guarantee a real advantage.

Marta Skiba: effective business decisions… which ones exactly?

• Tomasz Srebrny: decisions that allow the company to develop based on the real needs of customers, taking into account the real possibilities of the entire market. After all, the collected databases can provide qualitative information. And a single person does not have to spend huge amounts of time and energy on their own analysis. Decision makers want to react quickly to current events. Analysis of large data sets in real time is an extremely valuable support for them.

Marta Skiba: so we can say that the mechanisms for integrating the analysis of this information with the decision-making process are currently one of the most sought-after IT solutions?

• Tomasz Srebrny: definitely yes. It is very apt to say that we are now in the age of the data revolution. How we use this potential is closely related to the needs of a particular company. Every second, huge amounts of data from various sources enter the software functioning in the enterprise. Both companies and their customers now have more and more technologies and devices that are constantly creating and capturing information. One person can actively use a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc. Each of these devices operates with data. We refer to such sets of huge amounts of diverse information as Big Data. Their volume, variety, but also the speed of inflow can overwhelm.

Marta Skiba: Big Data includes various types of information. Is it really possible to move efficiently in such collections?

• Tomasz Srebrny: there are actually quite a lot of possible data types for potential analysis. Clickstreams, text files, audio, video, XML data, geolocation – there are many examples. Undoubtedly, this information requires a change in the approach to data processing. That is why the analysis of large data sets in real time is now becoming one of the leading directions in the development of IT tools. Big Data concerns data sets so extensive that their processing using traditional database management systems is extremely difficult. The larger the data set, the harder it is to manage it.

Marta Skiba: management is more difficult, but not impossible?

• Tomasz Srebrny: in order to effectively analyze large data sets, we should first of all understand them well, properly integrate them, define the criteria for initial selection and process them in accordance with current needs. Automating the decision-making process is based, to a large extent, on comparing newly acquired information with specific rules, dependencies, trends or similarities. The more such data will be collected in the system, the easier it will be to predict similar dependencies in the future. Software using the potential of artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning enable us to effectively support us in making current business decisions.

Marta Skiba: can we talk about examples? What elements of the functioning of enterprises can be optimized in this way?

• Tomasz Srebrny: in practice… all of them. In production companies, we can analyze the degree of wear of machines and devices included in the machine park in this way. By combining data obtained from sensors located in production halls with information, e.g. on the maximum possible wear of a given component, we are able to reduce the number of unplanned downtimes related to failures. In the service sector, we can predict periods of increased demand for specific elements of the customer’s offer and prepare in advance for efficient customer service. In logistics, we can increase the efficiency of supply chains. After-sales service optimization process management and all customer retention mechanisms can be implemented extremely effectively thanks to the analysis of large data sets in real time.

Marta Skiba: the potential, as we can see, is huge…

• Tomasz Srebrny: the software is constantly evolving. The IT world doesn’t allow for stagnation. After all, there is always a potential to be developed, a niche that can be improved. Currently, the most difficult challenge is to efficiently navigate the available tools and services that enable the use of modern IT achievements in enterprises. It is also worth emphasizing that the available options should always be considered in the context of individual needs.

Marta Skiba: general schemes don’t always work everywhere.

• Tomasz Srebrny:  correct. Sometimes seemingly extremely complex goals can be achieved with the help of software that is created in a short time. Other times, an extensive tailor-made solution will be much better. The scale and scope of functionality determine the design path. Equally important is the integration of new systems with those that have already been implemented in the company. Optimal IT infrastructure management is not about generating unnecessary costs. Our goal is to optimally match the capabilities of the new software to the needs and budget of our clients. It is always an individual matter.

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