Unique prospective on the big data analytics phenomenon for both business and IT professionals The availability of Big Data, low-cost commodity hardware and new information management and analytics software has produced a unique moment in the history of business. The convergence of these trends means that we have the capabilities required to analyze astonishing data sets quickly and cost-effectively for the first time in history. These capabilities are neither theoretical nor trivial. They represent a genuine leap forward and a clear opportunity to realize enormous gains in terms of efficiency, productivity, revenue and profitability. The Age of Big Data is here, and these are truly revolutionary times. This timely book looks at cutting-edge companies supporting an exciting new generation of business analytics. Learn more about the trends in big data and how they are impacting the business world (Risk, Marketing, Healthcare, Financial Services, etc.) Explains this new technology and how companies can use them effectively to gather the data that they need and glean critical insights Explores relevant topics such as data privacy, data visualization, unstructured data, crowd sourcing data scientists, cloud computing for big data, and much more.

Competition is becoming more intense and decision makers are encountering increasing complexity, rapid change, and higher levels of risk. In many situations, the solution is more and better computerized decision support, especially analytics and business intelligence. Today managers need to learn about and understand computerized decision support. If a business is to succeed, managers must know much more about information technology solutions. This second edition of a powerful introductory book is targeted at busy managers and MBA students who need to grasp the basics of computerized decision support, including the following: What are analytics? What is a decision support system? How can managers identify opportunities to create innovative computerized support? Inside, the author addresses these questions and some 60 more fundamental questions that are key to understanding the rapidly changing realm of computerized decision support. In a short period of time, you’ll “get up to speed” on decision support, analytics, and business intelligence.

Unique insights to implement big data analytics and reap big returns to your bottom line Focusing on the business and financial value of big data analytics, respected technology journalist Frank J. Ohlhorst shares his insights on the newly emerging field of big data analytics in Big Data AnalyticsM. This breakthrough book demonstrates the importance of analytics, defines the processes, highlights the tangible and intangible values and discusses how you can turn a business liability into actionable material that can be used to redefine markets, improve profits and identify new business opportunities. Reveals big data analytics as the next wave for businesses looking for competitive advantage Takes an in-depth look at the financial value of big data analytics Offers tools and best practices for working with big data Once the domain of large on-line retailers such as eBay and Amazon, big data is now accessible by businesses of all sizes and across industries. From how to mine the data your company collects, to the data that is available on the outside, Big Data Analytics shows how you can leverage big data into a key component in your business's growth strategy.

Business Intelligence: The Savvy Managers Guide, Second Edition, discusses the objectives and practices for designing and deploying a business intelligence (BI) program. It looks at the basics of a BI program, from the value of information and the mechanics of planning for success to data model infrastructure, data preparation, data analysis, integration, knowledge discovery, and the actual use of discovered knowledge. Organized into 21 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the kind of knowledge that can be exposed and exploited through the use of BI. It then proceeds with a discussion of information use in the context of how value is created within an organization, how BI can improve the ways of doing business, and organizational preparedness for exploiting the results of a BI program. It also looks at some of the critical factors to be taken into account in the planning and execution of a successful BI program. In addition, the reader is introduced to considerations for developing the BI roadmap, the platforms for analysis such as data warehouses, and the concepts of business metadata. Other chapters focus on data preparation and data discovery, the business rules approach, and data mining techniques and predictive analytics. Finally, emerging technologies such as text analytics and sentiment analysis are considered. This book will be valuable to data management and BI professionals, including senior and middle-level managers, Chief Information Officers and Chief Data Officers, senior business executives and business staff members, database or software engineers, and business analysts. Guides managers through developing, administering, or simply understanding business intelligence technology Keeps pace with the changes in best practices, tools, methods and processes used to transform an organization’s data into actionable knowledge Contains a handy, quick-reference to technologies and terminology

Open Source BI solutions have many advantages over traditional proprietary software, from offering lower initial costs to more flexible support and integration options; but, until now, there has been no comprehensive guide to the complete offerings of the OS BI market. Writing for IT managers and business analysts without bias toward any BI suite, industry insider Lyndsay Wise covers the benefits and challenges of all available open source BI systems and tools, enabling readers to identify the solutions and technologies that best meet their business needs. Wise compares and contrasts types of OS BI and proprietary tools on the market, including Pentaho, Jaspersoft, RapidMiner, SpagoBI, BIRT, and many more. Real-world case studies and project templates clarify the steps involved in implementing open source BI, saving new users the time and trouble of developing their own solutions from scratch. For business managers who are hard pressed to indentify the best BI solutions and software for their companies, this book provides a practical guide to evaluating the ROI of open source versus traditional BI deployments. The only book to provide complete coverage of all open source BI systems and tools specifically for business managers, without bias toward any OS BI suite A practical, step-by-step guide to implementing OS BI solutions that maximize ROI Comprehensive coverage of all open source systems and tools, including architectures, data integration, support, optimization, data mining, data warehousing, and interoperability Case studies and project templates enable readers to evaluate the benefits and tradeoffs of all OS BI options without having to spend time developing their own solutions from scratch

Expert guidance for building an information communication and technology infrastructure that provides best in business intelligence Enterprise performance management (EPM) technology has been rapidly advancing, especially in the areas of predictive analysis and cloud-based solutions. Business intelligence caught on as a concept in the business world as the business strategy application of data warehousing in the early 2000s. With the recent surge in interest in data analytics and big data, it has seen a renewed level of interest as the ability of a business to find the valuable data in a timely—and competitive—fashion. Business Intelligence Applied reveals essential information for building an optimal and effective information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure. Defines ICT infrastructure Examines best practices for documenting business change and for documenting technology recommendations Includes examples and cases from Europe and Asia Written for business intelligence staff, CIOs, CTOs, and technology managers With examples and cases from Europe and Asia, Business Intelligence Applied expertly covers business intelligence, a hot topic in business today as a key element to business and data analytics.

This primer enables professionals with technical expertise to collaborate with their business-side colleagues. Emphasizing brevity and clarity, it gives technical staff answers to their most pressing questions about economics, finance, marketing, strategic decision-making, accounting, management, and related subjects. It does not offer condensed 1st year MBA courses; instead, it presents streamlined concepts and insights that are easy enough to be accessible and challenging enough to hold one's interest. Its examples from pharma, IT, aircraft/navigation, and other industries highlight problems that technical professionals face daily. Written by "one of them," its credibility makes it more useful than Internet resources. Because it concentrates on pragmatic (as opposed to academic) approaches to business, it empowers technical staff to stay with the conversation--and take it to a higher level. Bertrand C. Liang, MD, PhD, MBA, is Managing Director of LCC Ventures and Executive Director of Pfenex, Inc. He is trained in molecular biology and genetics (PhD) and is a clinician (MD) with subspecialty training in neurology and oncology, and serves as a Visiting University Professor at Liaoning He University, Shenyang, China. Creates frameworks and builds concepts enabling technical staff to work with their business colleagues Delivers content for pragmatic, immediate use, not condensed presentations of subjects from first year MBA curriculum Extends readers' grasp by posting additional resources at a freely-available website

The definitive reference for building actionable business intelligence—completely revised for SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0. Unleash the full potential of business intelligence with fact-based decisions, aligned to business goals, using reports and dashboards that lead from insight to action. SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0: The Complete Reference offers completely updated coverage of the latest BI platform. Find out how to work with the new Information Design Tool to create universes that access multiple data sources and SAP BW. See how to translate complex business questions into highly efficient Web Intelligence queries and publish your results to the BI Launchpad. Learn how to create dashboards from data sourced through a universe or spreadsheet. The most important concepts for universe designers, report and dashboard authors, and business analysts are fully explained and illustrated by screenshots, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions. Establish and evolve BI goals Maximize your BI investments by offering the right module to the right user Create robust universes with the Information Design Tool, leveraging multiple data sources, derived tables, aggregate awareness, and parameters Develop a security plan that is scalable and flexible Design Web Intelligence reports from basic to advanced Create sophisticated calculations and advanced formatting to highlight critical business trends Build powerful dashboards to embed in PowerPoint or the BI Launchpad Use Explorer to visually navigate large data sets and uncover patterns

Business Intelligence Cookbook: A Project Lifecycle Approach Using Oracle Technology is an expert guide for enhancing your data warehousing and business intelligence skills, specifically targeted at Oracle Database 11g. With over 80 advanced step-by-step recipes, this book walks you through creating, optimizing, and managing actionable business intelligence solutions. What this Book will help me do Understand practical project management approaches specific to business intelligence and data warehousing. Learn to effectively estimate efforts for DW/BI projects using structured methodologies. Model data using Oracle Database and Oracle SQL Data Modeler while aligning it with business requirements. Discover best practices for transitioning BI solutions from development to deployment. Master techniques to secure organizational data as a critical asset. Author(s) John Heaton is an experienced IT professional specializing in data warehousing and business intelligence projects. With extensive knowledge of Oracle technologies, John brings deep technical insights along with a clear writing style, making complex concepts accessible to readers. He is passionate about helping professionals in the IT industry enhance their skills. Who is it for? This book is ideal for IT professionals, data warehouse developers, and project managers working with Oracle Database who seek to advance their expertise in business intelligence. If you have foundational knowledge of DW/BI concepts and want to professionally manage complete lifecycle projects leveraging Oracle tools, this guide is tailored for you.

Reveals how to build rich BI reports with just a few clicks using Crescent, Microsoft’s newest BI tool Technical review by Microsoft’s Crescent team and Foreword by Group Program Manager for Crescent Complete, practical examples are immediately usable to readers in a commercial environment CD-ROM contains 30+ reusable reports, all code samples, and supporting animations that walk thru each example

This title includes additional digital media when purchased in print format. For this digital book edition, media content may NOT be included. Contact the publisher's customer service directly for assistance. A hands-on guide to the use of quantitative methods and software for making successful business decisions The appropriate use of quantitative methods lies at the core of successful decisions made by managers, researchers, and students in the field of business. Providing a framework for the development of sound judgment and the ability to utilize quantitative and qualitative approaches, Data Driven Business Decisions introduces readers to the important role that data plays in understanding business outcomes, addressing four general areas that managers need to know about: data handling and Microsoft Excel, uncertainty, the relationship between inputs and outputs, and complex decisions with trade-offs and uncertainty. Grounded in the author's own classroom approach to business statistics, the book reveals how to use data to understand the drivers of business outcomes, which in turn allows for data-driven business decisions. A basic, non-mathematical foundation in statistics is provided, outlining for readers the tools needed to link data with business decisions; account for uncertainty in the actions of others and in patterns revealed by data; handle data in Excel; translate their analysis into simple business terms; and present results in simple tables and charts. The author discusses key data analytic frameworks, such as decision trees and multiple regression, and also explores additional topics, including:

Use of the Excel functions Solver and Goal Seek Partial correlation and auto-correlation Interactions and proportional variation in regression models Seasonal adjustment and what it reveals Basic portfolio theory as an introduction to correlations

Chapters are introduced with case studies that integrate simple ideas into the larger business context, and are followed by further details, raw data, and motivating insights. Algebraic notation is used only when necessary, and throughout the book, the author utilizes real-world examples from diverse areas such as market surveys, finance, economics, and business ethics. Excel add-ins StatproGo and TreePlan are showcased to demonstrate execution of the techniques, and a related website features extensive programming instructions as well as insights, data sets, and solutions to problems included in the material. The enclosed CD contains the complete book in electronic format, including all presented data, supplemental material on the discussed case files, and links to exercises and solutions. Data Driven Business Decisions is an excellent book for MBA quantitative analysis courses or undergraduate general statistics courses. It also serves as a valuable reference for practicing MBAs and practitioners in the fields of statistics, business, and finance.

A must-have resource for anyone preparing for the version 2.0 of the CBAP exam As organizations look to streamline their production models, the need for qualified and certified business analysts is growing. The Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP) certification is the only certification for this growing field and this study guide is an essential step towards preparation for the CBAP exam. With this resource, you ll benefit from coverage of both the CBAP as well as the CCBA (Certification in Competency in Business Analysis) exam. Each chapter covers the Business Analysis standards and best practices and includes a list of exam topics covered, followed by in-depth discusses of those objectives. Real-world, hands-on scenarios help take the learning process a step further. Covers Version 2 of the Business Analyst Body of Knowledge (BABOK) Offers invaluable preparation for both the CBAP and CCBA exams Includes a list of exam topics and presents detailed discussions of each objective Features real-world scenarios, best practices, key terms, and a wide range of helpful topics that will prepare you for taking the exams Shares practice exam questions, topic summaries, and exam tips and tricks, all aimed at providing a solid foundation for achieving exam success This valuable study guide provides you with the preparation you need to confidently take the CBAP and CCBA exams.

This unique book-and-video package introduces SharePoint® 2010 Business Intelligence Learn to build and deliver SharePoint BI applications Written by a team of leading SharePoint and Business Intelligence (BI) experts, this unique book-and-video package shows you how to successfully build and deliver BI applications using SharePoint 2010. Assuming no previous SharePoint experience, the authors deliver a clear explanation of what SharePoint will do for your BI and information management capabilities. Each lesson in the book is reinforced with a helpful tutorial on the video and cover topics such as interactive reporting with Excel, document sharing for collaborative reporting, and controlling data sources. As you learn best practices for configuring and securing SharePoint 2010 BI applications and planning and implementing your SharePoint BI project plan, you'll be well on your way to gaining a solid foundation of understanding and working with SharePoint 2010 and BI. Provides an invaluable training book-and-video package that takes you through building and delivering BI applications using SharePoint 2010 Features an accompanying video tutorial for each lesson covered in the book, along with a "Try It" section at the end of each lesson Covers interactive reporting with excel Covers Power Pivot advanced analytics Details report and document sharing for collaborative reportingShows how to use SharePoint lists and libraries for data sources repositories in your BI projects Explains how to control data sources, reports and business intelligence content with permissions and workflow approvals. With this unique book-and-video combo, you'll be well on your way to successfully building and delivering BI applications using SharePoint 2010.

Dive into the business intelligence (BI) features in SharePoint 2010—and use the right combination of tools to deliver compelling solutions. This practical guide helps you explore several BI application services available in SharePoint 2010 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2. You’ll learn each technology with step-by-step instructions, and determine which ones work best in specific BI scenarios—whether you’re a SharePoint administrator, SQL Server developer, or business analyst. Choose the BI tools that meet your needs—and learn how they work together Examine the BI lifecycle, from determining key performance indicators to building dashboards Take Microsoft Excel further—gain more control and functionality with web-based Excel Services Mash up data from multiple sources using PowerPivot for Excel 2010 Create data visualizations with objects, context, and metrics using Microsoft Visio Services Build dashboards, scorecards, and other monitoring and analysis tools with PerformancePoint Services Use SharePoint to view BI reports side by side, no matter which tools were used to produced them Your companion web content includes: Interactive exercises that help you try out concepts or techniques Code samples that enable you to work with the exercises

There's nothing wrong with “living in the now”—except that it's only part of our story. If we underuse or misuse our past, we're losing a tremendous source of wisdom and self-knowledge. The problem isn't the past itself, it's that we don't use it well. John Schuster exposes the many ways we ignore, distort, or become captive to our pasts and explains how we can tap into this underutilized treasure trove. He shows how to systematically recall key images and experiences that have influenced us, for good or ill, and reclaim the positive experiences—deepen our understanding of their impact and use them to guide our going forward. The negative experiences must be recast—reinterpreted so that they no longer lessen our possibilities but rather serve to expand our understanding of who we are and what we can be. Schuster's enlightening and entertaining stories as well as simple and compelling techniques will enable you to make your past sing and play and work for you.

Business Research Methods provides students with the knowledge, understanding and necessary skills to complete a business research. The reader is taken step-by-step through a range of contemporary research methods, while numerous worked examples and real-life case studies bring to life the realities of undertaking these researchs. Emphasis on data analysis is the key strength of this book. The book uses the latest software packages: MS Excel (2007), SPSS 17 and Minitab 15 to solve statistical data analysis. The complexity of multivariate analysis is also dealt with the help of these three softwares.

This book is about using business intelligence as a management information system for supporting managerial decision making. It concentrates primarily on practical business issues and demonstrates how to apply data warehousing and data analytics to support business decision making. This book progresses through a logical sequence, starting with data model infrastructure, then data preparation, followed by data analysis, integration, knowledge discovery, and finally the actual use of discovered knowledge. All examples are based on the most recent achievements in business intelligence. Finally this book outlines an overview of a methodology that takes into account the complexity of developing applications in an integrated business intelligence environment. This book is written for managers, business consultants, and undergraduate and postgraduates students in business administration.

Business Intelligence (BI) software is everywhere. It is the code and tools that allow you to view different components of a business using a single visual platform, making comprehending mountains of data easier. With SharePoint 2010, Microsoft has married one of the most-used team collaboration tools with its business intelligence products, including PerformancePoint Services and Excel Services. Now, users of SharePoint can have a single place to get a view of their business, its organization and processes, and its financial performance. Constructing this type of portal is a process unique to each business. With Pro SharePoint 2010 Business Intelligence Solutions, authors Sahil Malik and Srini Sistla take you through the different tools, services, and frameworks available for building a BI portal atop SharePoint 2010. With comprehensive coverage of Visio Services, PerformancePoint, Excel Services, and a practical look at building scorecards, dashboards, and other reporting solutions, this book answers the fundamental questions about why and how BI can work for your business.

This book examines decision making in general, the translation of knowledge about decision making into a DSS model, and the actual programming of a DSS. In addition, it combines the theoretical underpinnings of the topic with practical application using tools and technology currently available. Topics are discussed on three levels: general theory, implications for DSS design, and code development. This approach provides readers with practical examples than can be adopted into systems design. The Second Edition has been completely updated to reflect new technologies as well as the demands upon technology that have evolved since the publication of the First Edition in 1996. The book utilizes a combination of Dreamweaver and Cold Fusion, which are both popular software products that follow industry standards. (The First Edition utilized Level 5 Object, but all references to the software have been removed as it is not deemed a viable tool any longer.) In light of the numerous advances in the field of DSS over the years, there are many topics throughout the book that have updated and revised. For example, data warehousing has increased substantially in importance since the First Edition, and this section has been completely revised. The topic of business intelligence has been added, and similarly, data mining coverage has been increased via additional discussion and examples. In addition, transnational corporations have become more prevalent and are addressed accordingly.

Data Mining for Business Intelligence, Second Edition uses real data and actual cases to illustrate the applicability of data mining (DM) intelligence in the development of successful business models. Featuring complimentary access to XLMiner®, the Microsoft Office Excel® add-in, this book allows readers to follow along and implement algorithms at their own speed, with a minimal learning curve. In addition, students and practitioners of DM techniques are presented with hands-on, business-oriented applications. An abundant amount of exercises and examples, now doubled in number in the second edition, are provided to motivate learning and understanding. This book helps readers understand the beneficial relationship that can be established between DM and smart business practices, and is an excellent learning tool for creating valuable strategies and making wiser business decisions. New topics include detailed coverage of visualization (enhanced by Spotfire subroutines) and time series forecasting, among a host of other subject matter.