We’ll have to wait and see what the broader datasphere marshals in terms of products or features that will rock the boat of those of us working in the space now.

My inclination is that the broader companies, such as Google, aren’t likely to make any sort of pure play in this direction until someone else validates that the technology has a true and easily grasped benefit.

Until then I expect a more narrow approach to the sector in which the big players will continue to be the players who already serve this space — such as Thomson Reuters or Dow Jones. These companies already have similar offerings in the text analytics space, and undoubtedly will continue to grow their own technologies.

History shows that the little guy is usually able to out innovate and outmaneuver the larger companies; so I certainly wouldn’t count out the little guys just yet.