ManyMedia

Big problem around open data, especially government data, and in Hadley’s case UK government data. Open data: created during regular operations, where taxpayers have paid for infrastructure so data should be made available to them. Used to make government operations more open and accountable, identifying efficiencies, reducing corruption. Govs spend a lot of time handling their own data. Not talking wikileaks. Tetherless team has 1.1M datasets available, in multiple languages.

In the UK, we talk about four kinds of data: historical (trends, performance), planning (future, forecasting, permits), infrastructural (opening hours, especially useful when it changes–like when a bridge is out), and operational (where are trains, weather–real time, costs more to make available). Types: transport, healthcare, demographics, mapping, crimes. Read more…

Bernard Morneau of OSIsoft welcomed the crowd, noted almost 2 out of 10 people here have never touched a PI system–so welcome. Content-rich next two days. Topic is universal, in our life in a big way, called big data. Touches all spheres of business. Data: from dare, “a wealth of information can create a poverty of attention and a need to allocate attention efficiently.” (Herbert Simon, Nobel Prize Winner, 1978)

Lots of data can be turned into an opportunity, now a mainstream topic. Google Insights graph, PI system data streams show logrithmic-like curves. PI users have over 235M data streams over many years, exploded over recent years. Due to Internet of things, we estimate, PI systems will be handling much of this. Moving into data measurement, insight and knowledge time, increased predictability, supporting a thriving economic development.

Picture of ISO power grid control room (many monitors). Large data sets: volume, velocity, diversity, analytics, structure. Over next two days, we’ll hear about progress and challenges on these fronts, and how OSIsoft has tackled development.

Power of data: knowledge preservation, visibility of important signals, cost-effect relationships, measured impact of decisions, innovation and gain insights. It’s universal, moving us into an era of rapid progress.

This era requires new skills, such as data analysts and scientists. What’s your head start worth? “Net gain: output and productivity 5-6% higher in Data Driven Decision-making.” OSIsoft introducing online forum as extension of this conference: http://community.osisoft.com

For the next three days, I’m diving in well over my head to learn about big data. Not really big in the sense of wall-sized pie charts, or really large numbers (although those may be included)–I’m talking about the kind of data that flows from ongoing measurements, timed entries in a system, or data-based contributions to an environment (like, say, social media!). I’m attending OSIsoft’s Power of Data user conference (#uc2012).

On Monday I’m sitting in the Sustainability track to learn about what a “sustainable business” is from the industry perspective: using data to define policy, drive goals, risks and challenges. There are at least two perspectives I’m holding going into this event: sustainability from a purely economic perspective, and sustainability in a bigger picture. I’m curious to see how the speakers define and illustrate how data fits into or delineates these perspectives.

Tuesday and Wednesday are the main conference days, each with several tracks. Two likely afternoon sessions on Tuesday are Data-Driven Environmental Monitoring: An Automation Journey and View the Whole Picture with an Asset-Based Approach. There are several good choices on Wednesday. I’ll report on the sessions as I go.

Program link, with Alexandra Rehak moderator, Vivek Jhamb, Virat Patel, and Suresh Sidhu. Ongoing shift to mobile, impact on carriers, networks, etc.

Alexandra: mobile subscriptions 1.5 – 7+B between now and 2014. Real growth story is around mobile data. If you accept view that world is mobile, what does this ean for your business?

Suresh: mobile telecom companies have a stronger brand with customers. What it means for us: we’re having to move beyond being just mobile to more sophisticated service providers. Trends moving with mobile providers, challenge is how to address expectations at a price that keeps

Vivek: in emerging markets, we’re also seeing trend of fixed from enterprise, esep data. Projected to grow revenue in India significantly. Can’t wish away fixed data.

Virat: We’re increasingly being asked to do more mobile. Shareholders are also content providers. As you move to HD, fixed side is becoming more important.

A: What sort of new biz models are emerging?

Suresh: what we’re starting to see is that as customer relationship shifts more to mobile, service providers need to do more. Multiple access solutions on retail side. On carrier side, we’re further down chain with other providers. Carriers will have to shift to have more meaningful relationship with mobile carriers over experience, QoS, exclusive content and differentiators, etc. Biz models from carriers will need to evolve and adjust.

A: Time to market becomes more critical.

Suresh: focus on quick launch, less on build.

Vivek: mobile biz models applied to carriers, not as transactional (bandwidth, signaling). Carriers need to get more engaged. Content providers also need to adjust, carrier has thin margins, so business models have to change over time to be more sustainable, incentive to improve capacity.

Virat: we shouldn’t underestimate challenge in meeting expectations by carriers. Different needs of different players, some mobile operators will be more help in advisory, others flexibility of bandwidth.

A: bit of a paradigm shift to take place with carriers. Developing markets?

Virat: data is main driver in emerging markets. Smartphones: video: YouTube and long-form video on public transport, for example. More developing market (Indonesia, Blackberry knockoff) used for Facebook.

Virek: India has 3G, driver is data, more coming from wireless dongles. There are smartphones, but majority from wireless dongles. Wireless broadband is biggest driver.

Suresh: Malaysia 1.5M mobile and DSL users. 2.5 years vs 10 years to build those markets, respectively. Supply & quality, DSL provider is PTT (takes a long time to get your line), vs buy, plug in and you’re on. In emerging markets, would consider dongles as a form of personal, vs DSL which is house-oriented. Personal time vs shared time is very significant.

A: consumer vs enterprise: what are they looking for?

Virek: consumer is big space, data as driver in enterprise (SMB) and has much faster growth rate. Consumer at 3G, big segment in enterprise data. Voice (even fixed) is declining, Internet and MPLS growing. Mobile: wireless broadband and smartphones.

Virat: Mobile is core part of proposition. Five screen strategy: TV, mobile phone, computer, tablets: iOS and others. Consumers are consuming content, providers need to have a proposition that works at good price point. Enterprise: SNEs, corporations working across fixed and mobile, services provided by could.

Suresh: share from consumers on mobile growing, need to deliver more complex solutions on enterprise (cool vs secure). Investments will be largely consumer-centric, but enterprise space will be more interesting.

Virek & Suresh: Lot of enterprises have specific apps, e.g., salesforce, are on mobile (India, some parts of South Africa), sales cycle and ARPU are challenges. To Carriers: how can you help us? They’re still struggling with this. Big opportunities, carriers not meeting need well.

A: two most critical elements to carriers?

Suresh: embrace mobility (more than signaling), fee-based or revenue sharing.

Virek: mobile partnerships, not owning assets, and engage in solutions (less transactions) and advisory.

Virat: listen, support and be flexible.