Big data catches on worldwide

According to a recent Informatica report, big data analytics has bloomed in recent years from a subject of hype into an immediate priority for IT departments. The poll found that nearly 70 percent of organizations are either using, testing or planning for big data. Respondents were interested in many different sub-areas of big data usage.

Companies, according to the survey, were largely interested in improving the efficiency of their business operations. A vast majority, 71 percent, stated an interest in diversifying their use of data to the benefit of their processes. The next most important priority was increasing agility, with 51 percent of respondents interested.

The challenges stopping companies from moving ahead with their big data projects were largely logistical. The most-cited barrier was lack of maturity in big data tools, with 52 percent of decision-makers sharing these concerns. Data quality and data privacy worries each elicited concern from 38 percent of firms.

As other reports show, companies already using big data are seeing the results of their moves. Fast food chain Sonic noted that its increase in big data analytics has led to consistency in operations and improved product management across its 3,500 individual locations. Both the operations and marketing departments have reported benefits from the program.