Fashion trend forecasting, the new big thing in fashion

Imagine as a fashion retailer having access to a large set of data that forecast fashion trends, colors, fabrics and cuts in order to determine what is going to be produce next and displayed on the catwalks. This looks like something extremely futuristic, but for our surprise, retailers are currently taking advantage of this data mining technology. Retailers are  paying a fee that ranges between seven and fifteen thousand dollars to get access this technology. This technology is being developed by companies such as Worth Global Style Network (WGSN). WGSN is based on the UK and according to its CEO, Julie Harris, fashion forecasting have seen double digit growth in the last couple of years and for 2013 it is expected to grow even more.

Retailers are using this source of information to tackle customer demands and needs. Forecasting is and will play an extremely important role in the future success of the retail business. This information has become important in order to tap customers who shop online that demand the latest trends of outfits. Retailers have been able to cut down costs by reducing traveling expenses, freelance such as photographers for photo-shooting, and reduce on time spent on data gathering from the internet.

WGSN generates data by relying on blogs, fashion websites, traveling to fashion cities and attending to world known catwalk events. This data mining process is currently helping companies such as WGSN grow. WGSN will launch a retail analytics tool that will help with comparison shopping. Retailers will be able to check upon competitors and gauge demand for similar products with the use of the analytic tool.

As it can be seen is a win-win situation for retailers, since they are going to be able to cut down costs by having an accurate forecast on trends. Customer satisfaction will be improved by offering customers the latest fashionable tendency and reliability. 

"A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all" - Michael LeBoeuf

Harnessing GPS data from 3.3M cars in Japan, Toyota sets to change the face of traffic management

Imagine if we could capture all the data on cars' movements, location and speed. Well this is exactly what Toyota has come up with, in there latest system Big Data Traffic Information Service.Toyota is taking advantage of big data by using a Digital Communication Module (DCM), this tool constantly monitors and transmits real time data to Toyota for scrupulous data mining. This data has been harvested from 3.3 million of integrated telecommunication and informatics users in Japan and 700,000 Toyota customers that are equipped. The system can provide users with helpful information such as routes, evacuation routes, the possible heights of tsunamis in case if one strikes, etc.

Having a car connected into a cloud system is relatively new in the market but is quickly moving from concept to reality, it promises safer roads and other benefits. Big data could potentially give the following benefits to the car users in a near future:

• If customers are willing to share their driving habits, more cloud connectivity could offer GPS updates tailored depending on which ones are the driving habits of the drivers.
  
  
• A human-auto interaction will lead to work in progress, it could be achieved by having a better human machine point of interaction.
  
• Cloud usage, would give the ability to store car data on the cloud in order to digitalize the business process. Maintenance checks would be easier to perform due to the data gathering. Tackling a potential problem would be easier. 
  
• A cloud connected information and entertainment system that personalizes your settings and automatically download content. 
  
• Data mining of information, based on driving behavior will include information to help you navigate the last mile of your trips accurately. 
  

Are you studying medicine, or are a doctor or physician? Now, you can use Big Data to help you save lives.

Most of the time the focus is on cost-savings by using Big Data. But Big Data is much more than that, it can now help save lives along with money. This idea could revolutionise the healthcare business by offering more relevant information to the healthcare network.

Imagine making real time data available of various forms of tests, or of patient history so that by the time you, an emergency case, arrives at a hospital, all of your medical records are right there and and there are no delays in your physical examination. In so many parts of the world, this could be a real life-saver.

Harnessing big data could help achieve three critical objectives in healthcare:

• Build sustainable healthcare systems
• Collaborate to improve care and outcomes
• Increase access to healthcare

With a growing need for efficient and accessible healthcare, companies and healthcare organisations are starting to invest in applications and analytical tools that help healthcare stakeholders identify value and opportunities. Dell currently places an emphasis on healthcare, they have been working with big data for a while now in areas such as genomics and personalized medicine. Dell's main goal is to help doctors in making the most accurate diagnose as possible in order to perform the best treatment to ill patient. As it can be seen in the following process image, here is an example on how big data comes to play an important role in the near future.

However, do note that this is contingent on the accuracy of data provided to the physicians. This is critical. Any form of inaccuracy can be fatal. While looking for examples on how data can fail healthcare facilities, I found this:
"My younger brother was born under circumstances that caused him to be transferred immediately to a neonatal ICU. In the same unit, another infant had been born with all of his organs outside his body. He had survived surgery and his vital signs were being monitored with a pressure mat in his incubator. On one visit, his father lifted him out of the incubator and noticed the monitor was still registering the baby. He gave the child to the mother, placed a stuffed animal in the incubator, and covered it with the blanket. You can imagine what happened when the father called the nurse to check on the baby and she discovered a stuffed tiger instead."
(Source: Making Data Meaningful, Lucrum, Dec 10 2012)
Imagine if the data a physician was meant to use was completely non-existent in real life, and imagine the consequences!

Despite the various concerns with using Big Data, it is clear about the extremely important role it will play in Healthcare in the near future. If used correctly, it will help physicians and the healthcare sector to reduce uncertainty, hence improving the quality of life patients.

"I don't expect to get yesterdays medicine. If I can help it, I'd like to get tomorrow's medicine". (Elizabeth Edwards)
We strongly believe that big data is tomorrow's medicine.