Posts

Showing posts from March, 2013

Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler 3.3 now available

Image
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/datamodeler/overview/index.html Attention all data modellers - we are pleased to announce the release of SQL Developer Data Modeler 3.3. This release includes a new search, reports can be generated from search results, extended Excel import and export capabilities and more control and flexibility in generating your DDL.  Here are a few links to get you started: For downloads see here:  http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/datamodeler/downloads/index.html For information about new features see here:  http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/datamodeler/datamodeler-33-newfeatures-1869156.html The release notes are available here:  http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/datamodeler/data-modeler-releasenotes33-1869517.html The documentation can be found here:  http://www.oracle.com/pls/topic/lookup?ctx=E29463_01&id=homepage For data warehouse data modellers there are some very important new feat

Predictive Analytics Is Red Hot so get reading!

According to an article by Forrester analyst Mike Gualtieri, predictive analytics is a red hot topic!  There are many examples across a broad range of industries where predictive analytics is driving better decisions: President Obama's campaign team used sophisticated uplift modeling to target and influence swing voters. Telecom firms that use predictive analytics to help prevent customer churn.  Police departments that use it to reduce crime. The list goes on and on and on. Let us quickly look at two of these uses cases because we have Oracle customers who have already implemented these types of solutions: 1) How telcos are using predictive analytics to reduce churn a) Telecom Italia Lab - Churn is a critical problem in the telecommunications industry because losing customers is a drain on resources. Finding new customers to replace the ones that have defected to a competitor is an expensive process. Consequently companies go to great lengths to reduce the churn of their c

Personal data usage: what your car really says about you

Stumbled across this article on the motoring page of the Guardian newspaper. Cars will soon be so linked into wireless networks they will be like giant rolling smartphones. Ford has already started to integrate web services such as Spotify into their dashboard systems and this looks like the first step to introducing a real-time data collection service to your car. This new vision of in-car big data goes far beyond the current engine management monitoring that garages use when you take your car in for servicing. A few examples of this brave new world: - Low on fuel? Soon a petrol station app may know before you do. - Tyres need rotating? Your car may wirelessly alert your dealership when it's time. - Ready for a lunch break? Your car can make a reasonable guess based on the hour. Are these realistic? Well, according to the article "… more than 60% of vehicles worldwide will be connected directly to the internet by 2017, up from 11% last year, predicts ABI Research. In No