Predictive analytics is the next generation of analytics which is important for the engineering and construction industry. Data makes up the building blocks for analytics. But instead of using data analytics to make sense of the past — to understand what we have done and what trends we can pick out from our past behaviour — predictive analytics uses data to predict what is likely to happen. When you use predictive analytics, you let the data tell you the answers that you may not be aware of; that are not obvious to you.  You’re looking at data you may not be collecting yourself. Target is pouring over data and finding the themes, patterns and relationships to build predictive models to achieve business outcomes.

The traditional ways of handling data do not afford easy ways to handle large number of data(in terabytes) which can nowadays be easily solved by cloud computing.

The main advantages of cloud computing are:

1)      removal of the concept of limited storage infrastructure

2)      elimination of the need of building IT infrastructures to deal with obstacles

3)      reduction of the cost of infrastructures and charges only for the resources actually used

The main challenges for cloud computing are:

1)      shipping of hard disk drives to cloud providers

2)      data transferring through web

According to Gartner's Hype cycle, cloud computing has reached a maturity that leads it into a productive phase. This means most of the main issues with cloud computing have been resolved.

In recent years, data mining has been used widely in the areas of science and engineering, such as bioinformatics, genetics, medicine, and electrical power engineering. Several researchers and organizations have conducted reviews of data mining tools and surveys of data miners. These identify some of the strengths and weaknesses of the software packages. They also provide an overview of the behaviors, preferences and views of data miners. How about reaching a few inches deep into the applicability and usability of data mining which is the analysis stage of a typical KDD in terms of Education?

Please Follow this link

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/harnessing-data-mining-to-revolutionise-education/article5690365.ece

With the release of its first ever Advanced Analytics Magic Content, the information research and technology advisory firm Gartner reveals Rapidminer is fast emerging as a leader in advanced analytics as against the legacy Business Intelligence Softwares like SAS. 

Big Data and Analytics was one ofthe most hot talks over the internet in 2013 and it is likely to trending upwards in 2014 also as companies are making use of predictive and advanced analytics more and more as business environment is increasingly becoming volatile. 

Seeking customer feedback is an important part of any company or organization to ensure that their products remain in line with what the customer wants. Its nothing but adhering to 'Customer Is King' principle. As business world is becoming bigger and bigger, companies are coming out with more and more new products, it is very important to hear the 'voice of the customers (VoC)' to stay ahead of the competition. Not only this, by gathering customer feedback, companies can bring in new innovations in their products.