Where Did You Say “Put the Semantic Layer”?
February 10, 2021
Eager to add value to their pricey cloud data-warehouses, cloud vendors are making a case for processing analytics right on their platforms. Providers of independent analytics platforms note such an approach falls short for the many companies that have data in multiple places. VentureBeat reports, “Contest for Control Over the Semantic Layer for Analytics Begins in Earnest.” Writer Michael Vizard tells us:
“Naturally, providers of analytics and business intelligence (BI) applications are treating data warehouses as another source from which to pull data. Snowflake, however, is making a case for processing analytics in its data warehouse. For example, in addition to processing data locally within its in-memory server, Alteryx is now allowing end users to process data directly in the Snowflake cloud. At the same time, however, startups that enable end users to process data using a semantic layer that spans multiple clouds are emerging. A case in point is Kyligence, a provider of an analytics platform for Big Data based on open source Apache Kylin software.”
Alteryx itself acknowledges the limitations of data-analysis solutions that reside on one cloudy platform. The write-up reports:
“Alteryx remains committed to a hybrid cloud strategy, chief marketing officer Sharmila Mulligan said. Most organizations will have data that resides both in multiple clouds and on-premises for years to come. The idea that all of an organization’s data will reside in a single data warehouse in the cloud is fanciful, Mulligan said. ‘Data is always going to exist in multiple platforms,’ she said. ‘Most organizations are going to wind up with multiple data warehouses.’”
Kyligence is one firm working to capitalize on that decentralization. Its analytics platform pulls data from multiple platforms in an online analytical processing database. The company has raised nearly $50 million, and is releasing an enterprise edition of Apache Kylin that will run on AWS and Azure. It remains to be seen whether data warehouses can convince companies to process data on their platforms, but the push is clearly part of the current trend—the pursuit of a never-ending flow of data.
Cynthia Murrell, February 10, 2021
An Existential Question: What Do Business Intelligence Tools Do?
February 10, 2021
Business intelligence tools are integral for enterprise systems to achieve their optimum performance, but without technology expertise it is difficult to understand their importance. Towards Data Science explains how BI tools can help a business in the article, “What BI Tools Can Do—The Six Different BI Artifacts You Should Know.”
According to the article, the six BI artifacts are spreadsheets, OLAP cube, visuals (reports and dashboards), stories, graphs, and direct access. Most BI tools do not feature all six BI tools and neither do companies. This does not allow end users to work at their best. There are work arounds and smart end users know how to utilize them.
Each artifact has its weaknesses and the only way to solve them is work around them like when there is a lack of tools:
“We basically have to do the same thing we do in the rest of our software architecture. We can build modular things, architectures where we can quickly exchange the EL in our EL (T). Where we can quickly exchange our storage, our reporting tool for a notebook based architecture. We can build evolutionary architectures, where we are perfectly clear on our fitting function, the quality of our answers to current problems. Where we know we will take small iterative steps towards providing better answers.”
It helps to be versed in all tools to improve BI structure, but it is even better to have access to the entire toolbox. Developers and workers are only as good as their tools.
Whitney Grace, February 10, 2021
Stock Market Trigger Trading for Everyone!
February 10, 2021
Stock brokers have long since tapped into AI to help them make big bucks at high speeds. Now F.X.A. Technologies offers an AI tool for the amateurs. We learn of the new trading algorithm directed at retail traders working with MT4 trading accounts in, “The Revolutionary Automated Algorithmic Technology that Is Making Mass-Trading a Breeze” at GetNews. The write-up specifies:
“The purpose of developing this automatic algorithmic technology is to help retail traders by giving them free access to an automated algorithmic-based copy trading software platform. This is where FXA Technologies has stepped in with one-of-its-kind copy trading software that is set to take the industry by storm. Retail traders can start the proceeding by connecting their MT4 trading account to the platform by creating an account and signing up for free. Once they sign up, they can use the multi-strategy algorithm to place trades – which is automatically copied onto the users’ account via copy trading software. All the process takes place automatically and without intrusion. The company claims to have no access or control on the user’s data. This is being considered as a fresh breath of air in the industry as the user is always in control and in command of their data. That means their personal information and funds are absolutely safe.”
Yes, the software is free—if one does not make any money. F.X.A. makes its profits from its monthly 20% “performance fee” collected via PayPal. The company points to its performance record as generated by Myfxbook to demonstrate its algorithm’s effectiveness. Who is ready to put their savings in the hands of this AI?
Cynthia Murrell, February 10, 2021
IBM Acknowledges That Palantir Technologies Is Winning the Battle for Policeware and Intelware
February 9, 2021
I read “Palantir Surges on Deal to Offer Software through IBM.” Yep, the new IBM has apparently accepted reality: Its i2 Analysts Notebook products aren’t the powerhouses they were when Mike Hunter’s company was the go-to policeware and intelware product.
According to the “real” news outfit Bloomberg:
Palantir Technologies Inc. and International Business Machines Corp.are uniting in a partnership that will dramatically expand the reachof Palantir’s sales force while making IBM’s ownartificial-intelligence software easier for non-technical customers touse…
Why? The write up reveals:
Without providing a time frame, Thomas [IBM wizard] said he expects the partnershipto help boost IBM’s customers using AI to 80% from its current 20%. Palantir Chief Operating Officer Shyam Sankar said the technical fitwith IBM and its reach are part of his company’s long-term effort tofinally ramp sales. In addition to commercial customers, governmentcontracts have surged both in number and size during the pandemic. “This is the biggest [partnership] we’ve announced — expectmore,” Sankar said. He said he expects to triple Palantir’sdirect-sales team to about 100 this year, a significant hike for acompany whose management once prided itself on not employing a singlesalesperson.
A couple of minor points:
- Anyone remember the litigation between Palantir and i2 about intellectual property? Of course not.
- What Palantir executives were named in the i2 litigation? (This is a really good question by the way?)
- Do the Palantir solutions generate really happy licensees?
- How do the former i2 professionals perceive this tie up?
- How will the deal impact Palantir’s present cloud services providers?
These are questions which “real” news entities do not ask or answer.
Stephen E Arnold, February 9, 2021
Post SolarWinds: Let Smart Software Do Security
February 9, 2021
Forty-one percent of IT leaders would suggest cybersecurity pros get their resumes ready, according to a recent survey. ZDNet reports, “AI Set to Replace Humans in Cybersecurity by 2030, Says Trend Micro Survey.” Writer Eileen Brown summarizes:
“[Trend Micro’s] predictions report, Turning the Tide, forecasts that remote and cloud-based systems will be ruthlessly targeted in 2021. The research was compiled from interviews with 500 IT directors and managers, CIOs and CTOs and does not look good for their career prospects. Only 9% of respondents were confident that AI would definitely not replace their job within the next decade. In fact, nearly a third (32%) said they thought the technology would eventually work to completely automate all cybersecurity, with little need for human intervention. Almost one in five (19%) believe that attackers using AI to enhance their arsenal will be commonplace by 2025. Around a quarter (24%) of IT leaders polled also claimed that by 2030, data access will be tied to biometric or DNA data, making unauthorised access impossible. In the shorter term, respondents also predicted the following outcomes would happen by 2025. They predict that most organisations will have significantly reduced investment in property as remote working becomes the norm (22%). Nationwide 5G will have entirely transformed network and security infrastructure (21%), and security will be self-managing and automated using AI (15%). However, attackers using AI to enhance their arsenal will be commonplace (19%).”
Trend Micro’s Bharat Mistry cautions that AI is most valuable when combined with human expertise, suggesting companies not jettison their human resources so readily. Since cyberattacks will continue to be a growing concern, the report recommends companies pay close attention to security best practices and patch management programs. It is also wise to train workers on security for work performed outside the office and the importance of avoiding doing business on personal devices.
Global cybersecurity firm Trend Micro offers protection for its clients’ users, networks, and cloud environments. Founded back in 1988, the company is based in Tokyo.
One question: If flawed humans create the smart security AI, won’t that have the same blindspots?
Cynthia Murrell, February 9, 2021
Oracle: Looking Like an AARP Magazine Cover Shot
February 9, 2021
Oracle used to be a game changing name in the tech industry, but now it has become an industry standard and, for lack of better terms, old. Oracle might be old, but the company continues to release reliable technology. They recently updated Oracle Database 21c to operate on Oracle Cloud. Channel Life comments on the upgrade consisting of over 200 improvements in the article: “Oracle Releases New Version Of Converged Database.”
One of the top new features for the Oracle Database 21c is the availability of the Oracle APEX Application Development. The Oracle APEX combined with Oracle Cloud offers developers a browser-based, low-code cloud environment to create apps. Other new features include native JSON data type representation, immutable blockchain tables, AutoML for in-database machine learning, persistent memory support, in-database javascript, tiger performance graph models, database in-memory automation, and Sharding automation. Sharding automation is a nifty tool that:
“Native Database Sharding delivers hyperscale performance and availability while enabling global enterprises to meet data sovereignty and data privacy regulations. Data shards share no hardware or software and can reside on-premises or in the cloud. To simplify the design and use of sharding, Database 21c includes a Sharding Advisor Tool that assesses a database schema plus its workload characteristics and then provides a sharded database design optimised for performance, scalability, and availability. Backup and Recovery across shards is also automated.”
These updates are great refreshers for the Oracle Database 21c. The only problem with some of these features is that AWS added them a few years ago. Does Oracle stand a chance competing against AWS on a factor other than price?
Whitney Grace, February 9, 2021
Can a Cockroach Love the Google Cloud? Absolutely
February 9, 2021
Cockroach Labs has released its third annual report comparing cloud service providers Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). On its own blog the company posts, “GCP Outpaces Azure, AWS in the 2021 Cloud Report.” The focus is on online transaction processing (OLTP). Writers Arul Ajmani, John Kendall, Yevgeniy Miretskiy, and Jessica Edwards tell us:
“Our intention is to help our customers and any builder of OLTP applications understand the performance tradeoffs present within each cloud and within each cloud’s individual machines. Perhaps your current configuration isn’t the most cost effective. Or you are looking to build a net-new application and want to see which provider has the fastest network latency. Maybe storage has been an issue in the past and you are looking for new solutions. Regardless of your motivation, the report is designed to help you achieve your goals and develop the best architecture for your specific needs. The 2021 Cloud Report is developed by a team of dedicated engineers and industry experts at Cockroach Labs. It compares AWS, Azure, and GCP on micro and industry benchmarks that reflect critical OLTP applications and workloads. This year, we assessed 54 machines and conducted nearly 1,000 benchmark runs to measure CPU Performance (CoreMark), Network Performance (Netperf), Storage I/O Performance (FIO), OLTP Performance (Cockroach Labs Derivative of TPC-C).”
The post summarizes the report’s highlights. As suggested by the title, the team found Google to deliver the most throughput. On the other hand, AWS’ network latencies remain on top for the third year in a row. We’re told AWS’ custom Graviton2 Processor beat the competition, both running AMD processors, for 16-core CPU performance. The writers also explain when it is worth paying more for each providers’ “advanced disks.” For more details, see the post or navigate to the report itself. Cloud SQL database maker Cockroach Labs was founded in 2015 and is based in New York City. No observations about the prevalence of certain insects in Alphabet City.
Cynthia Murrell, February 9, 2021
DarkCyber for February 9, 2021, Now Available
February 9, 2021
DarkCyber is a twice-a-month video news program about the Dark Web, cyber crime, and lesser known online services. The program is produced by Stephen E Arnold. You can view the program on the Beyond Search blog or on YouTube at this link.
This week’s program features a discussion of Microsoft’s explanation of the SolarWinds’ misstep. The online explanation is a combination of forensic information with an old-fashioned, almost Balmer-esque marketing pitch. Plus, DarkCyber responds to a viewer who wanted more information about locating bad actor hackers promoting their criminal capabilities on the Dark Web. The program highlights two Dark Web services and provides information to two online resources which offer additional information. Three other stories round out the February 9, 2021, program. Allegedly some of the software stolen in the SolarWinds’ misstep (a data breach which compromised more than 18,000 companies and government organizations) is available for sale. Information about the cost of the software and how to buy are provided. Next you learn about the app tracking technology which is creating friction between Apple and Facebook. Who benefits from tracking users’ actions hundreds of times each day? DarkCyber answers this question. The final story is another signature drone news item. If you think that one drone poses a challenge, consider the difficulty of dealing with thousands of miniature weaponized drones converging on a unit or disrupting warfighting tactics under live fire.
Kenny Toth, February 9, 2021
Google and Microsoft in Australia: Ripping the Fabric of Some of the Internet?
February 8, 2021
Australia wants Google to pay for news. Microsoft wants more traffic and advertising revenue. Australia? The front lines of the battle for the Internet? “Microsoft Offers To Break The Web In A Desperate Attempt To Get Somebody To Use Its Widely-Ignored Bing Search Engine” and learned:
The worsening situation over upload filters has obscured the other bad idea of the EU Copyright Directive: the so-called “link tax”, which would require large Internet companies like Google to pay when they use even small amounts of news material. One worrying development in this area is that the idea has spread beyond the EU. As Techdirt reported, Australia is bringing in what amounts to a tax on Google and Facebook for daring to send traffic to legacy news organizations — notably those of Rupert Murdoch.
Yep, from the European Union to Australia the fabric of the Internet is under pressure. Google is concerned, upset even. But Microsoft:
in a desperate attempt to get someone to use its still largely-ignored search engine Bing, Microsoft is apparently willing to throw the Web under the bus. It’s an incredibly short-sighted and selfish move. Sure, it’s legitimate to want to take advantage of a rival’s problems. But not to the extent of causing serious harm to the very fabric of the Web, the hyperlink.
Links under assault? A push to investigate technology monopolies in the US? The SolarWinds’ misstep which reminds one that security is a misty concept? Political turmoil? Covid?
Now links.
Who knew that monetizing links would do “harm to the fabric of the Web”? Quick questions? What’s happening in China and Russia? Whose Internet? Perhaps the Internet has already morphed and the skirmish in Australia may be less than it seems? The tension seems to be removed from the growth sectors for online services? In fact, the dust up seems almost quaint.
Threats, saber rattling, and the effort to preserve the online past are not easily TikTok-able. That could be a problem for the firms and publishers not in the big growth game.
Stephen E Arnold, February 8, 2021
Facial Recognition? Old Hat. Now It Is Behavioral Recognition
February 8, 2021
The possibilities of how AI will revolutionize robotics, medical technology, such as artificial limbs, and videogames are as endless as the imagination. Fujitsu moved AI technology one step closer to the imagination says the New Zealand IT Brief in: “Fujitsu Develops Behavioral Recognition Tech, Completes World First.”
Fujitsu Laboratories designed the world’s most accurate recognition of complex actions and behaviors based on skeleton data. Using deep learning algorithms, Fujitsu’s technology mapped all the positions and connections of complex joint behavior when multiple joints move in tandem. The technology earned the world’s highest accuracy score against the world’s standard benchmark in behavior recognition.
The technology was developed by:
“In general, human behavior recognition utilizing AI relies on temporal changes in the position of each of the skeletal joints, including in the hands, elbows, and shoulders, as identifying features, which are then linked to simple movement patterns such as standing or sitting.
With time series behavior-recognition technology developed by Fujitsu Labs, Fujitsu has successfully realized highly-accurate image recognition using a deep learning model that can operate with high-accuracy even for complex behaviors in which multiple joints change in conjunction with each other.
The new technology is based on a AI model that can be trained in advance using the time series data of joints.
The connection strength (weight) with neighboring joints can be optimized, and effective connection relationships for behavior recognition can be acquired, Fujitsu states.
With conventional technologies, it was necessary to accurately grasp the individual characteristics of each joint. With an AI model that has already been trained, the combined features of the adjacent joints that are linked can be extracted, making it possible to achieve highly-accurate recognition for complex movements, according to the company.”
Fujitsu wants to roll out this new system this year to make workplaces safer, but the true possibilities of the technology have yet to be explored.
Whitney Grace, February 8, 2021
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