Predictive analytics, data mining and big data : myths, misconceptions and methods

"Predictive analytics, data mining and big data are key topics for organizations who want to leverage the ever increasing amounts of data that they hold about people. This easy to read, in-depth guide provides readers with a solid understanding of predictive analytics, and how it should be applied to improve business decision making and operational efficiency. This includes how to avoid the pitfalls and dangers of introducing predictive analytics to a business area for the first time, legal, ethical and cultural issues that need to be considered, and a contextual road map for developing solutions that deliver real benefits to organizations. This how-to-guide will help managers to make the most of these technologies in their business area."-- Unedited summary from book The digital economy is at a tipping point: a growing 30% of business is shifting online to search and engage with consumers. Yet the digital media in social, networks, mobile devices, sensors and the explosion of big data and cloud computing networks is interconnecting potentially everything everywhere, amounting to a new digital 'ecosystem'. This practical book defines digital ecosystems, discusses digital design using converging technologies of social media networking, mobility, big data and cloud computing, and provides a set of methods for linking key digital technologies together to meet the goals, benefits and challenges of building a digital enterprise in the new economy. It examines 25 international real business cases to provide practical guidance on how to define business-case value, direct and indirect payoff of these technologies to customers and the practical methods and challenges to building, securing and implementing these solutions The design of digital solutions has become a pressing concern for practitioners faced with a plethora of technology impacting their business. From cloud computing to social networks, mobile computing and big data, to the emerging of Internet of things, all of which are changing how enterprise products, services, rooms and buildings are connected to the wider ecosystem of networks and services. This book defines digital ecosystems with examples from real industry cases and explores how enterprise architecture is evolving to enable physical and virtual, social, and material object collaboration and experience. The key topics covered include: Concepts of digitization Types of technological ecosystems Architecting digital workspaces Principles of architecture design Examples architecting digital business models Examples of digital design patterns Methods of monetization Conclusions "For businesses large and small, investment in digital technologies is now a priority essential for success. Digitizing Government provides practical advice for understanding and implementing digital transformation to increase business value and improve client engagement. This easy-to-read book is organized into "why", "what", and "how" sections and examines the major elements of digital transformation, with clear steps for improved execution of digital strategies. It features case studies from the private and public sectors, and a detailed chronology of digital change efforts across the UK government sector, and relates that to government efforts in the USA and around the world. It provides a practical and unique set of insights into business in the digital economy"-- Provided by publisher "In this practical book Mark Skilton examines the development of digital technologies and the way they drive digital enterprises and the digital economy. Through twenty five case studies he identifies the practices that drive new social and consumer value and uncovers the secrets of successful digital business models. He shows how digital workspaces can be used and evaluates the types of monetization mechanisms available to drive value and boost adoption of digital products and services. He provides a set of methods for linking key digital technologies together to meet the goals, benefits and challenges of building a digital enterprise in the new economy." -- Portion of summary from book "Predictive analytics, big data, and data mining are key topics for organizations who want to leverage the ever increasing amounts of data that organizations hold about their customers and other individuals. This in-depth guide provides readers with a solid understanding of data and data trends, the opportunities that it can offer to businesses, the pitfalls and dangers, and a contextual road map for developing solutions that deliver benefits to their organizations. Written in an accessible way, this 'how-to-guide' will help managers to make the most of these technologies in their business area"-- Provided by publisher "This book is for practitioners involved in the strategic planning, design, and implementation of enterprise architectures. It covers the evolution of enterprise architecture practices in the development of digital platforms, which enables physical and virtual, social, and material object collaboration and experience"--Publisher's website. This in-depth guide provides managers with a solid understanding of data and data trends, the opportunities that it can offer to businesses, and the dangers of these technologies. Written in an accessible style, Steven Finlay provides a contextual roadmap for developing solutions that deliver benefits to organizations. 1. Introduction 2. Using Predictive Models 3. Analytics, Organization and Culture 4. The Value of Data 5. Ethics and Legislation 6. Types of Predictive Models 7. The Predictive Analytics Process 8. How to Build a Predictive Model 9. Text Mining and Social Network Analysis 10. Hardware, Software and All That Jazz