Maximize the Value of Business Intelligence with IBM Cognos v10 -- Hands-on, from Start to Finish This easy-to-use, hands-on guide brings together all the information and insight you need to drive maximum business value from IBM Cognos v10. Long-time IBM Cognos expert and product designer Sangeeta Gautam thoroughly illuminates Cognos BI v10’s key capabilities: analysis, query, reporting, and dashboards. Gautam shows how to take full advantage of each key IBM Cognos feature, including brand-new innovations such as Active Reports and the new IBM Cognos Workspace report consumption environment. She concludes by walking you through successfully planning and implementing an integrated business intelligence solution using IBM’s best-practice methodologies. The first and only guide of its kind, offers expert insights for BI designers, architects, developers, administrators, project managers, nontechnical end-users, and partners throughout all areas of the business—from sales and marketing to operations and lines of business. If you’re pursuing official IBM Cognos certification, you’ll also find Cognos certification sample questions and information to help you with the certification process. IBM Cognos Business Intelligence v10 Coverage Includes • Understanding IBM Cognos BI’s components and open, extensible architecture • Working with IBM Cognos key “studio” tools: Analysis Studio, Query Studio, Report Studio, and Event Studio • Developing and managing powerful reports that draw on the rich capabilities of IBM Cognos Workspace and Workspace Advanced • Designing Star Schema databases and metadata models to answer the questions your organization cares about most • Efficiently maintaining and systematically securing IBM Cognos BI environments and their objects • Using IBM Cognos Connection as your single point of entry to all corporate data • Building interactive, easy-to-manage Active Reports for casual business users • Using new IBM Cognos BI v10.1 Dynamic Query Mode (DQM) to improve performance with complex heterogeneous data • Identifying, exploring, and exploiting hidden data relationships • Creating quick ad hoc queries that deliver fast answers • Establishing user and administrator roles

HBase in Action has all the knowledge you need to design, build, and run applications using HBase. First, it introduces you to the fundamentals of distributed systems and large scale data handling. Then, you'll explore real-world applications and code samples with just enough theory to understand the practical techniques. You'll see how to build applications with HBase and take advantage of the MapReduce processing framework. And along the way you'll learn patterns and best practices. About the Technology HBase is a NoSQL storage system designed for fast, random access to large volumes of data. It runs on commodity hardware and scales smoothly from modest datasets to billions of rows and millions of columns. About the Book HBase in Action is an experience-driven guide that shows you how to design, build, and run applications using HBase. First, it introduces you to the fundamentals of handling big data. Then, you'll explore HBase with the help of real applications and code samples and with just enough theory to back up the practical techniques. You'll take advantage of the MapReduce processing framework and benefit from seeing HBase best practices in action. What's Inside When and how to use HBase Practical examples Design patterns for scalable data systems Deployment, integration, and design About the Reader Written for developers and architects familiar with data storage and processing. No prior knowledge of HBase, Hadoop, or MapReduce is required. About the Authors Nick Dimiduk is a Data Architect with experience in social media analytics, digital marketing, and GIS. Amandeep Khurana is a Solutions Architect focused on building HBase-driven solutions. Quotes Timely, practical ... explains in plain language how to use HBase. - From the Foreword by Michael Stack, Chair of the Apache HBase Project Management Committee A difficult topic lucidly explained. - John Griffin, coauthor of "Hibernate Search in Action" Amusing tongue-in-cheek style that doesn’t detract from the substance. - Charles Pyle, APS Healthcare Learn how to think the HBase way. - Gianluca Righetto, Menttis

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 Guide to Enterprise-Level Analytics Strategy, Technology, Implementation, and Management Organizations are capturing exponentially larger amounts of data than ever, and now they have to figure out what to do with it. Using analytics, you can harness this data, discover hidden patterns, and use this knowledge to act meaningfully for competitive advantage. Suddenly, you can go beyond understanding “how, when, and where” events have occurred, to understand why – and use this knowledge to reshape the future. Now, analytics pioneer Tom Davenport and the world-renowned experts at the International Institute for Analytics (IIA) have brought together the latest techniques, best practices, and research on analytics in a single primer for maximizing the value of enterprise data. Enterprise Analytics is today’s definitive guide to analytics strategy, planning, organization, implementation, and usage. It covers everything from building better analytics organizations to gathering data; implementing predictive analytics to linking analysis with organizational performance. The authors offer specific insights for optimizing supply chains, online services, marketing, fraud detection, and many other business functions. They support their powerful techniques with many real-world examples, including chapter-length case studies from healthcare, retail, and financial services. Enterprise Analytics will be an invaluable resource for every business and technical professional who wants to make better data-driven decisions: operations, supply chain, and product managers; product, financial, and marketing analysts; CIOs and other IT leaders; data, web, and data warehouse specialists, and many others.

Transform your marketing efforts through the power of visual content In today's fast-paced environment, you must communicate your message in a concise and engaging way that sets it apart from the noise. Visual content—such as infographics and data visualization—can accomplish this. With DIY functionality, Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling will teach you how to find stories in your data, and how to visually communicate and share them with your audience for maximum impact. Infographics will show you the vast potential to using the communication medium as a marketing tool by creating informative and shareable infographic content. Learn how to explain an object, idea, or process using strong illustration that captures interest and provides instant clarity Discover how to unlock interesting stories (in previously buried or boring data) and turn them into visual communications that will help build brands and increase sales Use the power of visual content to communicate with and engage your audience, capture attention, and expand your market.

Continuing its commitment to developing and delivering industry-leading storage technologies, IBM® introduces the IBM Storwize® V7000 solution, an innovative new storage offering that delivers essential storage efficiency technologies and exceptional ease of use and performance, all integrated into a compact, modular design that is offered at a competitive, midrange price. The IBM Storwize V7000 solution incorporates some of the top IBM technologies typically found only in enterprise-class storage systems, raising the standard for storage efficiency in midrange disk systems. This cutting-edge storage system extends the comprehensive storage portfolio from IBM and can help change the way organizations address the ongoing information explosion. This IBM Redbooks® publication introduces the features and functions of the IBM Storwize V7000 system through several examples. This book is aimed at pre- and post-sales technical support and marketing, storage administrators, and will help you understand the architecture of the Storwize V7000, how to implement it, and take advantage of the industry leading functions and features.

Companies need more than just web analysts and data-savvy marketers to be successful–they need action heroes! While most of us never battle evil scientists or defuse nuclear warheads, successful web analysts benefit from the same attributes that fictional action heroes embody. As a web analyst, your main goal is to improve your organization’s online performance. You can become an “action hero” by translating analysis insights into action that generates significant returns for your company. How you approach analysis is critical to your overall success. In this book, web analytics expert Brent Dykes addresses the unique challenges facing analysts and online marketers working within small and large companies, teaching you how to move beyond reporting and toward analysis to drive action and change. Taking a principle-based rather than a tool-specific approach, Brent introduces you to the Action Hero Framework that breaks down the analysis process into three key stages: Prioritize (what to analyze), Analyze (how to analyze), and Mobilize (how to drive action). And he reinforces these topics with real-world examples and practical tips from seasoned analysts at leading companies. Defines the type of environment in which action heroes thrive–not just survive–as well as how to defeat the villains of web analytics that stand in the way Arms web professionals with a strategic framework for executing online analysis, as well as an arsenal of analysis techniques Reveals how companies need to be both data-driven and action-agile to drive business value from web analytics For more action hero resources and information, check out the book’s companion site at www.Analyticshero.com. "The ideas in this book will take you days (or even weeks) to work your way through, and they fly in the face of the emotional approach to marketing. The question is: would you rather have your competition lead the way with data and science when it comes to reaching your market, or are you going to go first? That's how it is with action heroes--no guts, no glory." - Seth Godin Author We Are All Weird "Don't let the jaunty, breezy style of this book throw you off. Brent successfully - and entertainingly - packs years of experience into these pages along with case studies and insightful help on getting the most out of web analytics, adding value to your company and boosting your career trajectory." - Jim Sterne Founder of eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit, author of "Social Media Metrics" and Chairman of the Digital Analytics Association

Much of what constitutes Big Data is information about us. Through our online activities, we leave an easy-to-follow trail of digital footprints that reveal who we are, what we buy, where we go, and much more. This eye-opening book explores the raging privacy debate over the use of personal data, with one undeniable conclusion: once data's been collected, we have absolutely no control over who uses it or how it is used. Personal data is the hottest commodity on the market today—truly more valuable than gold. We are the asset that every company, industry, non-profit, and government wants. Privacy and Big Data introduces you to the players in the personal data game, and explains the stark differences in how the U.S., Europe, and the rest of the world approach the privacy issue. You'll learn about: Collectors: social networking titans that collect, share, and sell user data Users: marketing organizations, government agencies, and many others Data markets: companies that aggregate and sell datasets to anyone Regulators: governments with one policy for commercial data use, and another for providing security

Continuing its commitment to developing and delivering industry-leading storage technologies, IBM® introduces the IBM Storwize® V7000, an innovative new storage offering that delivers essential storage efficiency technologies and exceptional ease of use and performance, all integrated into a compact, modular design that is offered at a competitive, midrange price. IBM Storwize V7000 incorporates some of the top IBM technologies typically found only in enterprise-class storage systems, raising the standard for storage efficiency in midrange disk systems. This cutting-edge storage system extends the comprehensive storage portfolio from IBM and can help change the way organizations address the ongoing information explosion. This IBM Redbooks® publication introduces the features and functions of the IBM Storwize V7000 through several examples. This book is aimed at pre- and post-sales technical support and marketing, storage administrators, and will help you understand the architecture of the Storwize V7000, how to implement it, and take advantage of the industry leading functions and features.

The leading introductory book on data mining, fully updated and revised! When Berry and Linoff wrote the first edition of Data Mining Techniques in the late 1990s, data mining was just starting to move out of the lab and into the office and has since grown to become an indispensable tool of modern business. This new edition—more than 50% new and revised—is a significant update from the previous one, and shows you how to harness the newest data mining methods and techniques to solve common business problems. The duo of unparalleled authors share invaluable advice for improving response rates to direct marketing campaigns, identifying new customer segments, and estimating credit risk. In addition, they cover more advanced topics such as preparing data for analysis and creating the necessary infrastructure for data mining at your company. Features significant updates since the previous edition and updates you on best practices for using data mining methods and techniques for solving common business problems Covers a new data mining technique in every chapter along with clear, concise explanations on how to apply each technique immediately Touches on core data mining techniques, including decision trees, neural networks, collaborative filtering, association rules, link analysis, survival analysis, and more Provides best practices for performing data mining using simple tools such as Excel Data Mining Techniques, Third Edition covers a new data mining technique with each successive chapter and then demonstrates how you can apply that technique for improved marketing, sales, and customer support to get immediate results.

Do you know what people do when they visit your website or web app? Or how much the site contributes to your bottom line? Google Analytics keeps track and makes it easy for you to learn precisely what's happening. This hands-on guide shows you how to get the most out of this free and powerful tool -- whether you're new to Google Analytics or have been using it for years. Google Analytics shows you how to track different market segments and analyze conversion rates, and reveals advanced techniques such as marketing-campaign tracking, a valuable feature that most people overlook. And this practical book not only provides complete code samples for web developers, it also explains the concepts behind the code to marketers, managers, and others on your team. Discover exactly how the Google Analytics system works Learn how to configure the system to measure data most relevant to your business goals Track online marketing activities, including cost-per-click ads, email, and internal campaigns Track events -- rather than page views -- on sites with features such as maps, embedded video, and widgets Configure Google Analytics to track enterprise data, including multiple domains Use advanced techniques such as custom variables and CRM integration

An unparalleled author trio shares valuable advice for using Google Analytics to achieve your business goals Google Analytics is a free tool used by millions of Web site owners across the globe to track how visitors interact with their Web sites, where they arrive from, and which visitors drive the most revenue and sales leads. This book offers clear explanations of practical applications drawn from the real world. The author trio of Google Analytics veterans starts with a broad explanation of performance marketing and gets progressively more specific, closing with step-by-step analysis and applications. Features in-depth examples and case studies on how to increase revenue from search advertising, optimize an existing website, prioritize channels and campaigns, access brand health and more Discusses how to communicate with a webmaster or developer to assist with installation Addresses Google's conversion-oriented tools, including AdWords and AdSense, Google trends, Webmaster tools, search-based keyword tools, and more Touches on brand tracking studies, usability research, competitive analysis, and statistical tools Throughout the book, the main emphasis is demonstrating how you can best use Google Analytics to achieve your business objectives.

Valuable tips and tricks for using the latest version of Google Analytics Packed with insider tips and tricks, this how-to guide is fully revised to cover the latest version of Google Analytics and shows you how to implement proven Web analytics methods and concepts. This second edition of the bestselling Advanced Web Metrics with Google Analytics is the perfect book for marketers, vendors, consultants, and Webmasters who want to learn the installation, configuration, tracking techniques, and best practices of Google Analytics. Google Analytics is a free tool that measures Web site effectiveness and helps users better understand how web site performance; this book is a detailed usage guide written by one of the software's original creators Explains what filters keep data accurate, how to measure Flash usage and tag for e-mail marketing, and what visitor segmentation provides the most useful feedback Examines principles and practices of Web analytics, then shows how to use GA's reports and how to track dynamic Web pages, banners, outgoing links, and contact forms Discusses advanced setups for configuring goals and filters, how to integrate GA with third-party systems, and how to leverage the new API Advanced Web Metrics with Google Analytics, Second Edition is valuable for both novice and experienced users of Google Analytics.

Database models developed by a team of leading Microsoft Access MVPs provide read-to-use solutions for sales, marketing, customer management and other key business activities for most small businesses As the most popular relational database in the world, Microsoft Access is widely used by small business owners. This book responds to the growing need for resources that help business managers and end users design and build effective Access database solutions for specific business functions. Written by a team of Microsoft Access MVPs, this guide shows you how to design databases for the essential activities of most small businesses, including marketing and sales, customer management, inventory management, quality control, budgeting, financial tracking and analysis, and more The accompanying CD-ROM contains ready-to-load databases that can quickly be customized, saving you countless hours of development effort Features a step-by-step interview process to help tailor the database structure to specific business scenarios With this valuable guide and CD-ROM, you'll be on your way to implementing database solutions in no time.

Most companies have massive amounts of data at their disposal, yet fail to utilize it in any meaningful way. But a powerful new business tool - analytics - is enabling many firms to aggressively leverage their data in key business decisions and processes, with impressive results. In their previous book, Competing on Analytics, Thomas Davenport and Jeanne Harris showed how pioneering firms were building their entire strategies around their analytical capabilities. Rather than "going with the gut" when pricing products, maintaining inventory, or hiring talent, managers in these firms use data, analysis, and systematic reasoning to make decisions that improve efficiency, risk-management, and profits. Now, in Analytics at Work, Davenport, Harris, and coauthor Robert Morison reveal how any manager can effectively deploy analytics in day-to-day operations—one business decision at a time. They show how many types of analytical tools, from statistical analysis to qualitative measures like systematic behavior coding, can improve decisions about everything from what new product offering might interest customers to whether marketing dollars are being most effectively deployed. Based on all-new research and illustrated with examples from companies including Humana, Best Buy, Progressive Insurance, and Hotels.com, this implementation-focused guide outlines the five-step DELTA model for deploying and succeeding with analytical initiatives. You'll learn how to: · Use data more effectively and glean valuable analytical insights · Manage and coordinate data, people, and technology at an enterprise level · Understand and support what analytical leaders do · Evaluate and choose realistic targets for analytical activity · Recruit, hire, and manage analysts Combining the science of quantitative analysis with the art of sound reasoning, Analytics at Work provides a road map and tools for unleashing the potential buried in your company's data.

Even You Can Learn Statistics: A Guide for Everyone Who Has Ever Been Afraid of Statistics is a practical, up-to-date introduction to statistics—for everyone! Thought you couldn’t learn statistics? You can—and you will! One easy step at a time, this fully updated book teaches you all the statistical techniques you’ll need for finance, quality, marketing, the social sciences, or anything else! Simple jargon-free explanations help you understand every technique. Practical examples and worked-out problems give you hands-on practice. Special sections present detailed instructions for developing statistical answers, using spreadsheet programs or any TI-83/TI-84 compatible calculator. This edition delivers new examples, more detailed problems and sample solutions, plus an all-new chapter on powerful multiple regression techniques. Hate math? No sweat. You’ll be amazed at how little you need. Like math? Optional “Equation Blackboard” sections reveal the mathematical foundations of statistics right before your eyes! You’ll learn how to: Construct and interpret statistical charts and tables with Excel or OpenOffice.org Calc 3 Work with mean, median, mode, standard deviation, Z scores, skewness, and other descriptive statistics Use probability and probability distributions Work with sampling distributions and confidence intervals Test hypotheses with Z, t, chi-square, ANOVA, and other techniques Perform powerful regression analysis and modeling Use multiple regression to develop models that contain several independent variables Master specific statistical techniques for quality and Six Sigma programs About the Web Site Download practice files, templates, data sets, and sample spreadsheet models—including ready-to-use solutions for your own work! http://www.informit.com/title/9780137010592

Today, interpreting data is a critical decision-making factor for businesses and organizations. If your job requires you to manage and analyze all kinds of data, turn to Head First Data Analysis, where you'll quickly learn how to collect and organize data, sort the distractions from the truth, find meaningful patterns, draw conclusions, predict the future, and present your findings to others. Whether you're a product developer researching the market viability of a new product or service, a marketing manager gauging or predicting the effectiveness of a campaign, a salesperson who needs data to support product presentations, or a lone entrepreneur responsible for all of these data-intensive functions and more, the unique approach in Head First Data Analysis is by far the most efficient way to learn what you need to know to convert raw data into a vital business tool. You'll learn how to: Determine which data sources to use for collecting information Assess data quality and distinguish signal from noise Build basic data models to illuminate patterns, and assimilate new information into the models Cope with ambiguous information Design experiments to test hypotheses and draw conclusions Use segmentation to organize your data within discrete market groups Visualize data distributions to reveal new relationships and persuade others Predict the future with sampling and probability models Clean your data to make it useful Communicate the results of your analysis to your audience Using the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory learning experience, Head First Data Analysis uses a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.

Praise for Business Intelligence Success Factors: Tools for Aligning your business in the Global Economy "Olivia Parr Rud does a remarkable job of weaving together many topics in a strategic way. As 'quants,' we're fascinated with data and fact-based decision-making. But success only comes when you consider the human factor, especially effective communications. Making topics like evolutionary biology, complexity science, and systems thinking relevant for business success is a unique and compelling view. As Max Frisch said, 'We hired workers and human beings came instead.'" —Anne Milley, Senior Director, Technology Product Marketing, SAS "Business Intelligence Success Factors is a must-read for anyone implementing BI on an organizational level. This book explains the business landscape and the underlying reasons for our current volatility, offering clear guidance on navigating our information rich global economy." —Ron Powell, Editorial Director, Business Intelligence Network Transform challenges into opportunities with emerging Business Intelligence technologies Written by an expert in data mining and statistical analysis, this valuable resource unveils the connection between the increased use of BI and the need for new, proven theories and models in BI, as well as the guidance to implement them successfully in your organization. Are you ready to become adaptable? Learn how to harness today's rapidly evolving global economy with Business Intelligence Success Factors.

Pro SQL Server 2008 Analytics provides everything you need to know to develop sophisticated and visually appealing sales and marketing dashboards using SQL Server 2008 and to integrate those dashboards with SharePoint, PerformancePoint, and other key Microsoft technologies.

Special Edition Using FileMaker 9 The only FILEMAKER 9 book you need We crafted this book to grow with you, providing the reference material you need as you move toward FileMaker® 9 proficiency and the use of more advanced features. If you buy only one book on FileMaker® 9, Special Edition Using FileMaker® 9 is the only book you need. Make the most of FileMaker 9: • Integrate the Web with FileMaker using the new Web Viewer • Use the new external data sources techniques with SQL and ODBC • Discover how to add supplemental fields in FileMaker to external SQL data sources • See how the major changes in script editing and debugging can help you • Learn new layout techniques, including conditional formatting and auto-resizing layout objects • Find out how to use the new FileMaker Server Admin Console to administer databases • Publish FileMaker databases on the Web using Instant Web Publishing, and use Custom Web Publishing with PHP or XML/XSLT “The new FileMaker 9 product line is the most dramatic new offering in years with over 30 ease-of-use breakthroughs; and Special Edition Using FileMaker 9 is an excellent desk reference and companion resource for all FileMaker professionals!” –Rick Kalman, Senior Product Manager, FileMaker, Inc. Jesse Feiler is a member of the FileMaker Business Alliance. He regularly consults on FileMaker and develops FileMaker solutions for small businesses, non-profits, art, retail point-of-sale, publishing, marketing, and other markets. He has created a number of video training courses, including one on FileMaker 7 and appears regularly on WAMC Northeast Public Radio’s Roundtable and Vox Pop shows. ON THE WEB Download modified FileMaker Starter solutions with added fields, scripts, and layouts to illustrate techniques in the book, along with other materials, from www.quepublishing.com and www.northcountryconsulting.com. Category Database Covers FileMaker 9 User Level Intermediate–Advanced