I have been researching areas of potential business growth in data management. It looks like Google is growing in every direction and taking over market share in every area of business. They are into cell phones, radio frequency, online and offline advertising, 411, green energy, analytics, online software, you name it they are there. How do we stop them from taking away opportunities from small business, start up companies and aspiring entrepreneurs? Are they creating opportunities to help small companies or competing? I believe they are creating huge barriers to entry for small start up companies in areas of data management and data collection. Is this really good? I been asking myself these questions. Why are people so against Microsoft when Google seems like the real threat. What do you think?
I am curious to hear your opinions.
Thanks for Contributing.
-- Alex --
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Conversations with a CIO
Hi everyone. I hope you have been enjoyed my blog. It has been an interesting journey the last few weeks. I went to visit a friend last week and caught up on good times.
He is the CIO of a retail company in the Los Angeles area. Some how we ended up talking about Business Intelligence and the evolution of software delivery. I didn't know he is part of a very influential MicroSoft Technology Counsel and they were just discussing these same topics about the future of on-demand and Software-as-a-Service model.
He mentioned that there seems to mixed feelings in the group of CIOs that he met with. However, they all thought it was an interesting approach. He definately liked the solutions and is all about cost cutting, etc. What caught my attention was when he mentioned how he was having a hard time justifying traditional IT infrastructure spending. He believes that the SaaS Model is actually going to make his life easier as CIO and there would be less push back from the business.
This is an interesting point to note. We are taking, what use to be a never ending justification nightmare for CIOs and making their life so much easier. Now the only thing he mentioned that we might be an uphill battle is personal ego and job security concerns.
How do you inform your CEO that you are now interested in scraping all the hardware and software and outsourcing it going forward. How do you justify scrapping a large BI application or Email system? How do CIOs go about informing their CEO and still keep our jobs and ego intact?
I would like to hear your thoughts on this topic.
He is the CIO of a retail company in the Los Angeles area. Some how we ended up talking about Business Intelligence and the evolution of software delivery. I didn't know he is part of a very influential MicroSoft Technology Counsel and they were just discussing these same topics about the future of on-demand and Software-as-a-Service model.
He mentioned that there seems to mixed feelings in the group of CIOs that he met with. However, they all thought it was an interesting approach. He definately liked the solutions and is all about cost cutting, etc. What caught my attention was when he mentioned how he was having a hard time justifying traditional IT infrastructure spending. He believes that the SaaS Model is actually going to make his life easier as CIO and there would be less push back from the business.
This is an interesting point to note. We are taking, what use to be a never ending justification nightmare for CIOs and making their life so much easier. Now the only thing he mentioned that we might be an uphill battle is personal ego and job security concerns.
How do you inform your CEO that you are now interested in scraping all the hardware and software and outsourcing it going forward. How do you justify scrapping a large BI application or Email system? How do CIOs go about informing their CEO and still keep our jobs and ego intact?
I would like to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
What is SaaS? Why SaaS is the Future.
What is Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)? The concept of SaaS was spawn from the old days of Application Service Providers (ASP) which were around since the early dot com days. However, this type of technology was not embraced due to the expensive cost of bandwidth and processing power. Today, bandwidth is cheap and processing power is plentiful. These technological changes have spawn a new breed of ASP providers called SaaS. Companies such as Google, Turbo Tax, and MicroSoft have started down this trend in recent year.
Traditional software companies such as MicroSoft, Oracle, Siebel CRM, ACT, GoldMine have felt the blow since SaaS providers like SalesForce.com were introduced. These low cost pay as you go model has created a new wave of competition for traditional software vendors. Every area of Information Technology will be affect by this new trend.
Due to the current economic trend, companies are looking for cheaper and faster ways to lower cost and increase revenues. These trends will continue as the economy swings back up. I believe this trend will forever change the software industry.
This change in corporate need will also push Business Decision makers to desire more data centralization. Descion makers will realize that silo operational system are not the key to success. Why? Because information silos or isolated systems only give one point of view and limit the decision making process.
I believe that SaaS is the alternative to purchasing and running your own software in house. I believe this new trend of low cost, pay as you go, highly scalable software solution is a major game changer for companies willing to embrace the future. Early adopters of the technology will win market share.
The key is in controlling fixed cost. Fixed cost is what defines how flexible a company is during economic hard times. By embracing a SaaS model, companies convert their fixed cost into variable cost. This is where everything is different. The power is in the hands of the business to shrink and expand cost in order to increase margins. I predict that this type of trend will continue going forward once decision makers realize the power of the SaaS model.
RapidMetrix, Inc. | p: 888.287.7802 x168 | f: 888.533.4886
11500 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 400 | Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
Sales@RapidMetrix.com | http://www.RapidMetrix.com
RapidMetrix provides low cost, fast ROI and scalable on-demand analytics
Traditional software companies such as MicroSoft, Oracle, Siebel CRM, ACT, GoldMine have felt the blow since SaaS providers like SalesForce.com were introduced. These low cost pay as you go model has created a new wave of competition for traditional software vendors. Every area of Information Technology will be affect by this new trend.
Due to the current economic trend, companies are looking for cheaper and faster ways to lower cost and increase revenues. These trends will continue as the economy swings back up. I believe this trend will forever change the software industry.
This change in corporate need will also push Business Decision makers to desire more data centralization. Descion makers will realize that silo operational system are not the key to success. Why? Because information silos or isolated systems only give one point of view and limit the decision making process.
I believe that SaaS is the alternative to purchasing and running your own software in house. I believe this new trend of low cost, pay as you go, highly scalable software solution is a major game changer for companies willing to embrace the future. Early adopters of the technology will win market share.
The key is in controlling fixed cost. Fixed cost is what defines how flexible a company is during economic hard times. By embracing a SaaS model, companies convert their fixed cost into variable cost. This is where everything is different. The power is in the hands of the business to shrink and expand cost in order to increase margins. I predict that this type of trend will continue going forward once decision makers realize the power of the SaaS model.
RapidMetrix, Inc. | p: 888.287.7802 x168 | f: 888.533.4886
11500 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 400 | Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
Sales@RapidMetrix.com | http://www.RapidMetrix.com
RapidMetrix provides low cost, fast ROI and scalable on-demand analytics
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Can Business Intelligence Really Save Companies Money?
Just today I was talking with a potential customer. He mentioned that he was looking for a way to lower his company's expenses. I suggested that he spend money on a Business Intelligence system. I thought to myself, "How ridiculous that must sound to him". How can spending money help his company save money? It dawned on me that I need to write a blog post on this subject. I figure this is a perfect forum topic to discuss and see what everyone thought.
I strongly believe that spending money on the right IT solution can save companies thousands if not millions of dollars. How does an IT manager know what is the right solution and when the solution is necessary? How does spending money on Business Intelligence (BI) help control cost?
Business Intelligence can allow a executive to closely monitor the company's operations. If he/she has the right reports they can pick and choose the appropriate areas to trim and expand. This is usually done by first taking a benchmark of the performance. The benchmark is an important factor in measuring BI success. This posting I will be as general as possible. I will have follow up postings which will talk about industry specific solutions.
Summary:
Based on my arguments above. I hope you feel similar. I think that the BI solutions themselves won't save the company money. However, by effectively using them to make key decisions can positivity affect the company's bottom line.
If you are interested in talking more how Business Intelligence can help your company please feel free to contact me.
RapidMetrix, Inc. | p: 888.287.7802 x168 | f: 888.533.4886
11500 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 400 | Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
Sales@RapidMetrix.com | http://www.RapidMetrix.com
RapidMetrix provides low cost, fast ROI and scalable on-demand analytics
I strongly believe that spending money on the right IT solution can save companies thousands if not millions of dollars. How does an IT manager know what is the right solution and when the solution is necessary? How does spending money on Business Intelligence (BI) help control cost?
Business Intelligence can allow a executive to closely monitor the company's operations. If he/she has the right reports they can pick and choose the appropriate areas to trim and expand. This is usually done by first taking a benchmark of the performance. The benchmark is an important factor in measuring BI success. This posting I will be as general as possible. I will have follow up postings which will talk about industry specific solutions.
- Measure and monitor daily operations - ex: Supply chain efficiency
- Monitor internal and external cost spending - ex: Travel expenses and consulting cost
- Monitor inventory warehousing cost. - ex: Product Turn Ratios
- HR expenses - ex: Employee benefits reporting and accident incident tracking
- Measure and track sales effectiveness - ex: Sales conversions vs. expenses
- Monitor the ROI of advertising campaigns. i.e. Cost Per Conversion
Summary:
Based on my arguments above. I hope you feel similar. I think that the BI solutions themselves won't save the company money. However, by effectively using them to make key decisions can positivity affect the company's bottom line.
If you are interested in talking more how Business Intelligence can help your company please feel free to contact me.
RapidMetrix, Inc. | p: 888.287.7802 x168 | f: 888.533.4886
11500 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 400 | Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
Sales@RapidMetrix.com | http://www.RapidMetrix.com
RapidMetrix provides low cost, fast ROI and scalable on-demand analytics
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
What is Business Intelligence?
I often find myself going to networking meetings and getting questions about what I do. I would answer "I am a Business Intelligence Consultant". Most people look at me with a inquisitive look and reply "What is Business Intelligence?". I quickly realize I am too techie. Which is a good thing.
Today, I figure I will try to answer this common question "What is Business Intelligence?".
Business Intelligence is the term used to describe the process of extracting insight from data. Now you might ask "What do you mean by extracting insight from data?" Data is nothing more than just an accumulation of information gathered in its purest form. For example: When you fill out a marketing survey the answers captured is considered data. This data is not useful unless there is something or someone smart enough to make some sense of it. This attempt to extract knowledge from data is called Business Intelligence or (BI) for short. Now I hope this explains at a high level what BI is.
Business Intelligence is an accumulation of technology, data processing, statistics and analysis. This is why we techies simply call it Business Intelligence. I am sure you are now interested in the entire process of squeezing information out of data.
The process of extracting Information from data starts with a good scope. We have to first decide what we want to learn from the data. This sounds easy but many times this is the biggest stumbling block for people. You have to step back and just simply ask yourself a few key questions such as:
Please feel free to let me know if this posting is helpful. I can away explain and improve going forward.
If you are interested in contacting me or learning how I can help with your business Intelligence needs please contact me.
Today, I figure I will try to answer this common question "What is Business Intelligence?".
Business Intelligence is the term used to describe the process of extracting insight from data. Now you might ask "What do you mean by extracting insight from data?" Data is nothing more than just an accumulation of information gathered in its purest form. For example: When you fill out a marketing survey the answers captured is considered data. This data is not useful unless there is something or someone smart enough to make some sense of it. This attempt to extract knowledge from data is called Business Intelligence or (BI) for short. Now I hope this explains at a high level what BI is.
Business Intelligence is an accumulation of technology, data processing, statistics and analysis. This is why we techies simply call it Business Intelligence. I am sure you are now interested in the entire process of squeezing information out of data.
The process of extracting Information from data starts with a good scope. We have to first decide what we want to learn from the data. This sounds easy but many times this is the biggest stumbling block for people. You have to step back and just simply ask yourself a few key questions such as:
- What problem am I trying to solve?
- What information would help me make a better business decision?
- If I had answers to my questions can I make better decisions?
Please feel free to let me know if this posting is helpful. I can away explain and improve going forward.
If you are interested in contacting me or learning how I can help with your business Intelligence needs please contact me.
RapidMetrix, Inc. | p: 888.287.7802 x168 | f: 888.533.4886
11500 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 400 | Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
Sales@RapidMetrix.com | http://www.RapidMetrix.com
RapidMetrix provides low cost, fast ROI and scalable on-demand analytics
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