Companies cannot handle the uncertainty of big data

Category: Data management

19 October, 2012

A survey by the IBM and Oxford University has shown that although many companies recognise the value of big data, they fear the uncertainty of cloud computing.

Data uncertainty stems from a series of things: the weather, the economy and the truthfulness of individuals on social media websites.

Things like the weather and the economy can affect individuals in unpredictable ways. It may mean a surge of spending, or it could mean that people retreat and spend less.

There is no guarantee that a prediction about the weather or the economy will be correct, nor that peoples buying patterns will be reflective of the change.

Another uncertainty that businesses struggle with is social media - whether or not individuals express the truth online.

"In the survey, respondents questioned their ability to trust comments, reviews, tweets and other forms of freely offered opinions online," the report says.

The report says that businesses need to stop fearing the uncertainty of data management, and instead utilize it.

"Organizations need to embrace and manage data uncertainty and determine how to use it to their advantage," it summarises.

Data is at the core of most modern businesses. Kroll Ontrack provides services and software to help you better manage key data such as MS Exchange and SharePoint.

Posted by Lucy Hill