Inteltrax: Top Stories, April 2 to April 6
April 9, 2012
Inteltrax, the data fusion and business intelligence information service, captured three key stories germane to search this week, specifically, lesser known industries falling in love with analytics.
“Safety Analytics Fits Every Industry” showed us how big data is adding major advances in public and private security.
“Small Biz Gaining in Big Data” told more about what we already know: data analytics helps level the playing field for small businesses.
“Customer Service Propels Many BI Companies” delves into the ways in which supporting users is helping vendors succeed.
Analytics is invading our world, often in the most unexpected places. This is just a small sampling of the deep research we provide every day.
Follow the Inteltrax news stream by visiting www.inteltrax.com
Patrick Roland, Editor, Inteltrax.
April 9, 2012
The Heat in SharePoint Semantics March 23 to March 29
April 3, 2012
This week SharePoint Semantics delivered some excellent best practice related posts that end users and search enthusiasts will equally enjoy.
Solutions to help make companies more social have increasingly been incorporated into the workplace, it’s only natural that SharePoint would hop on board the train. In the post, “Examples of Social Media Solutions Such as SharePoint Aiding Productivity” we learn how several companies used SharePoint as a tool to help their employees become more productive at work.
The article states:
“MindTree turned to Microsoft SharePoint to create a portal they named People Hub to make it easier for their employees to locate needed data. The effort has been so successful that they are now looking to extend the system to customers as well.”
In the vein of creating a successful SharePoint experience for companies, “Tips for a Successful Microsoft SharePoint Online Deployment” shares an article that recaps a presentation that states the seven most important factors that are indicative of SharePoint success.
The article states:
“The detailed article covers the decision making involved with a SharePoint Online deployment and how to determine and support ROI. The article focuses on the practical and effective points of Harbridge’s presentation, including how to improve user adoption and plan for growth.”
When figuring out if SharePoint is a good fit for your company, size is often not one of the factors that is considered. The post, “Large Versus Small Companies for the Best SharePoint Professional Work Environment” weighs the pros and cons of working for a large or small company as a SharePoint professional.
Ken Toth states:
“Working for a larger company means larger challenges, budgets, and environments. However, deployments can also become complicated in such a large environment with so many stakeholders. You will have access to more equipment and will find it easier to take time away for conferences. You will have more colleagues, but also more managers and meetings. In a smaller company, you will find yourself doing a wide variety of tasks with a wide variety of challenges. It will be easier to have working relationships with other people in the organization and there will be less bureaucracy.”
While best practice stories are always useful when deciding how to incorporate SharePoint into your organization, often times investing in a third party solution like Smartlogic’s semantic technology can provide end users with the guidance they need to succeed.
Jasmine Ashton, April 3, 2012
Inteltrax: Top Stories, March 26 to March 30
April 2, 2012
Inteltrax, the data fusion and business intelligence information service, captured three key stories germane to search this week, specifically, the ways in which unstructured data is impacting the big data industry.
Our feature story this week, “Digital Reasoning Makes Major Move in Military,” shows how the leader in unstructured data wrangling is helping the military increase its reach.
“Unstructured Data Demands Right Tools” proves that not all unstructured data softwares are created equal. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just a shell game for users to find the right one for their needs.
“Governments Get Self Conscious with Analytics” showed how clever government agencies are clearing up inaccuracies and becoming more efficient by utilizing the massive collections of unstructured data lingering in their systems.
If you aren’t familiar with the term “unstructured data” you will be. It’s the big horizon in the analytics world. We, fortunately, are well versed in the ephemeral stuff. It’s going to change the way the entire industry works and we’ll be following it every day.
Follow the Inteltrax news stream by visiting www.inteltrax.com
Patrick Roland, Editor, Inteltrax.
April 2, 2012
The Heat in SharePoint Semantics March 16 to March 22
March 27, 2012
This week SharePoint Semantics shared several very informative and unique articles that are pertinent to the search community of SharePoint end users.
In Bring Social Business Alive by Popping Social Bubbles, Ken Toth shares an article that breaks down the pros and cons of social businesses in relation to SharePoint. Apparently, “social software bubbles” both encapsulate and keep separated employees, partners, customers, business, culture, data, and information.
As a result:
“The challenge is getting the “social software bubbles” and people to become “one”, not necessarily in some kind of zen-like state (although that would be kinda cool), but more allowing a flow of interactions between them, and if we have that flow then it’s going to be (potentially) messy and chaordic, but that is a very very good thing, trust me.”
In the article, “Fill In Microsoft SharePoint Web Analytics Gaps with Third Party Solution.” Toth shares an article that explains some of the benefits and shortcomings of SharePoint web analytics.
For organizations seeking a tightly integrated solution, Toth recommends:
“Semaphore for Microsoft SharePoint from Smartlogic “is a complete, comprehensive solution to address the metadata gap in SharePoint 2007 or 2010 and provides the highest quality of automatic subject classification.” Comprehensive text analytics, taxonomy management and governance, and components that enhance the user experience make the solution robust.”
The final post of note for this week helps end users take advantage of SharePoint lists to meet your businesses needs. “Four Powerful Ways to Improve Project Delivery Using SharePoint Lists” recommends using custom lists and delete the columns that are not relevant. In addition to this, the article referenced also summarizes three other useful tips to help with project delivery.
While the highlighted posts offer some excellent solutions to helping with your SharePoint needs, it is also important to know when to utilize the professional knowledge of a third party solution such as Smartlogic’s Semaphore Content Intelligence Platform.
Jasmine Ashton, March 27, 2012
Publishers Pose Threats to Text Mining Expansion
March 26, 2012
Text mining software is all the rage these days due to its ability to make significant connections by quickly scanning through thousands of documents. This software can recognize, extract and index scientific information from vast amounts of plain text, allowing computers to read and organize a body of knowledge that is expanding too fast for any human to keep up with. However, Nature.com recently reported on a some issues that have developed in this growing industry in the article “Trouble at the Text Mine.”
According to the article, text mining programmers Max Haeussler and Casey Bergman have run into trouble trying to get science publishers to agree to let them mine their content.
The article asserts:
Many publishers say that they will allow their subscribers to text-mine, subject to contract and the text-miners’ intentions, and point to a number of successful agreements. But like many early advocates of the technology, Haeussler and Bergman complain that publishers are failing to cope with requests, and so are holding up the progress of research. What is more, they point out, as text-mining expands, it will be impractical for individual academic teams to spend years each working out bilateral agreements with every publisher.
While some publishers are getting on board the text mining train, many are still trying to work out how to take advantage of the commercial value before signing on. Too bad it takes more than a degree in English to make text mining deliver useful results. Bummer.
Jasmine Ashton, March 26, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Big Data, Small Talent Pool
March 24, 2012
It may be big data’s biggest issue; Government Computer News asks “Big Data’s Big Question: Where Are the Data Scientists?” Writer Rutrell Yasin explains:
“Even as organizations are trying to define the role of those tasked with analyzing and managing the new phenomenon of big data, people capable of that job are already projected to be in short supply.
“The move from a network-centric to a data-rich environment requires a different skill set, John Marshall, CTO of the Directorate of Intelligence J2 with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said March 6 during a forum on big data. . . .
“A recent study reported that shortages of qualified workers who understand the power of big data is estimated to be between 140,000 and 190,000 people by 2018, Marshall said.”
Students are beginning to exit college with data analytics and data mining skills, but there may not be enough to fill the gap, especially in the public sector. There are professionals who have developed the required subject matter, math, and programming skills, but most of them are content to retain their lucrative jobs in Silicon Valley or New York.
The article does note that the broad term “data scientist” is akin to “doctor,” in that there are specialists within the field. Michael Lazar, a former intelligence community member who is now a senior solutions architect with VMware, recommends that public sector organizations internally train their people to meet their unique data analysis and management needs.
Though the article focuses on government organizations, it is a relevant read for anyone interested in big data. Also, it suggests a potentially lucrative field for young people looking to build a career in a difficult economy.
Stephen E. Arnold, March 24, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
The Heat in SharePoint Semantics: March 9 to March 15
March 20, 2012
This week there has been more in the air than Saint Patty’s Day fever. SharePoint Semantics also delivered some well researched posts that are worth highlighting for search enthusiasts.
In “A Discussion on Evaluating Solutions for Your Business Problems,” readers are directed to an article by Jason Herman that defines the ubiquitous software term and problem solving process known as a “Solution.”
Writer Ken Toth quotes a segment of the article,
“Nothing new in this approach to problem-solving. Nothing revolutionary, just a simple, nuts-and-bolts approach that we can apply to our work on projects, tasks, and programs to keep us honest and make sure that we are actually solving real problems. Now ask yourself, am I delivering solutions? And if you are hiring vendors or consultants, are you getting tasks, deliverables, and programs—or are you getting solutions?”
In the realm of SharePoint user adoption, “Microsoft SharePoint User Adoption – SharePoint Joel Shares What Works.” the writer responds to an accusation that software tools fail to increase user adoption.
Joel Oleson responds:
“To me, it seems like a lot of SharePoint’s barriers to entry have to do with the complexity of performing what should be simple tasks. Third party tools can fill these tools and dramatically improve the user experience. When it comes to managing documents and document metadata, simplifying the user experience seems to me to be something that would really make a difference.”
In “Expanding Beyond Email to Spur Workplace Collaboration with Office 365” Toth shares a free whitepaper and related videos released by Innovate-e to help with project collaboration when working with Microsoft Office 365.
Toth states:
“The intended audience includes project teams that have been relying on email or other Microsoft Office tools to instigate collaboration. So if you haven’t yet implemented an enterprise project management platform, like Microsoft Project Server, you may want to check it out. Videos are also available that show how to integrate Microsoft Project information with SharePoint.”
When investing in software tools aimed to improve the SharePoint experience, it is important that users seek out the best educational tools to help them decide which solution is right for them. On option that can help make your search and navigation more user friendly is Smartlogic. The Semaphore Content Intelligence Platform provides compelling and intuitive content navigation and visualization for SharePoint 2010 and SharePoint 2007.
Jasmine Ashton, March 20, 2012
Inteltrax: Top Stories, March 12 to March 16
March 19, 2012
Inteltrax, the data fusion and business intelligence information service, captured three key stories germane to search this week, specifically, how some online sources are embracing the big data revolution.
One of the hottest names in online retail in the last 12 months, is breaking analytic ground, according to “Groupon Expands into Big Data,” but is that a good idea?
Another online giant is losing a little analytic ground to its social media competitors, as we learned in “Facebook No Longer Biggest Analytic Source” .
The internet presence of nonprofits has certainly increased and analytics is helping them help more people, according to “Nonprofit Analytics Could Spell Big Business” .
Just like with any industry, the online world has taken a shine to analytics. The results, much like anywhere else tend to be positive, but also involves some shrinking. No matter who’s involved or what direction they’re headed, it’s a fascinating ride and we’ll be monitoring it every day.
Follow the Inteltrax news stream by visiting www.inteltrax.com
Patrick Roland, Editor, Inteltrax.
March 19, 2012
The Heat in SharePoint Semantics March 3 to March 9
March 13, 2012
This week, SharePoint Semantics delivered several very informative posts that were pertinent to search enthusiasts.
The first is entitled “An Analysis of Chaning IT Roles With Cloud Adoption From Paul Culmsee” shares an article that addresses potential changes in the IT structure once SharPoint moves to the cloud. It suggests ways that IT professionals can articulate their needs to managers during this transition.
In addition to this, Ken Toth summarizes:
“The in-depth article also highlights the need for CIOs to weigh business goals carefully when confronted by a sales rep with a cloud solution versus remaining a “server hugger.” The cloud can be a very successful switch, but without careful consideration, some may find a harsh reality in the gap between expectations and actual solutions.”
Another cool new SharePoint feature that was brought to light last week was Skype in the post “The Skype Future is Looking Bright with Microsoft SharePoint.” In the article, Microsoft CFO, Peter Klein comments on the future of Skype in an interview.
Toth remarks:
“The interview outlined Microsoft’s plans to integrate Lync and Skype, and Klein admitted that there has not yet been much public discussion about the product integration. Klein talked about Skype as technology that ties together users’ devices in a way that is more universal than most software.”
The post “Building Your Microsoft SharePoint Search Feature With Fast” weighs the pros and cons of investing in FAST Search Server 2010 adoption.
Toth States:
“Robillard argues search needs to be managed as an application, to be continuously improved with new builds. Going beyond the default configurations in a search environment can give you more customization and solutions for the enterprise search needs of your specific business. Robillard states FAST Search is one of these top servers; however, its true potential isn’t reached with the out-of-the-box set-up.”
While the additional new features like, FAST, Skype and the Cloud add to SharePoint’s claim as a leader in collaboration software, it isn’t enough to completely fix its shortcummings when it comes to information retrieval. In order to fill the gaps, consider investing in a third party solution like the Semaphore Content Intelligence Platform from Smartlogic.
Jasmine Ashton, March 13, 2012
Inteltrax: Top Stories, March 5 to March 9
March 12, 2012
Inteltrax, the data fusion and business intelligence information service, captured three key stories germane to search this week, specifically, trends in big data.
Our biggest trend spotting article was undoubtedly “Big Predictions for 2012 Big Data” in which we laid out the upcoming months and how they will be even bigger than 2011’s massive data year.
“Safety and Security Prompt Analytic Trend” took a closer look at new trends, specifically how to keep folks safe via analytic technology.
Finally, “Consumer Thinking Becomes a Big Analytic Focus” is undoubtedly the hottest topic in big data and we toss our two cents into the hat.
Big data and analytics are an evolving being. The landscape today is nothing like it was twelve months ago. Thankfully, we are watching every blip on the radar to give readers a comprehensive feel for the past, present and future of analytics.
Follow the Inteltrax news stream by visiting www.inteltrax.com
Patrick Roland, Editor, Inteltrax.
March 12, 2012
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