Mapping the world's Internet use
The visualization below, provided by Tableau, shows the spread of Internet penetration globally. While Africa and North America show predictable results (sparse and saturated, respectively) a quick drill down into the Asian sector shows a few red dots (under 20 percent) and a smattering of yellow (40 percent and under). Scaling back to just 2008 shows a much higher proportion of red. Combine this with what we know about certain countries in this area (China and India, I'm looking at you here), and the potential for Asia to play a huge role in that explosion up to 5 billion seems clear.
Indeed, Business 2 Community reported last week that although only 30 percent of the Asian population currently has Internet access, that still equates to more than a billion users.
What does this mean for big data?
More users online will mean more visible behavior. One of the more mature elements of big data, examining Internet habits as a means to produce retail initiatives, stands to gain here -- but the challenge of this explosion in data remains clear. Will data analysts be prepared for another 3.3 billion users worth of data?
WaqasAltaf,
User Rank: Exabyte Executive 1/16/2013 | 12:38:50 AM
Re: No way. @ Sharco
Mobile devices' number may exceed the human population but one user can use one phone at a time therefore he or she will be generating data that will be within his/her capability :) However, the fact stated by you, nonetheless, increases security concerns over the networks esp where BYOD policy is being utilized.
WaqasAltaf,
User Rank: Exabyte Executive 1/16/2013 | 12:31:00 AM
Re: The global opportunity Saul, skilled resources' shortage will definitely be a concern in Asian markets and that too a serious one as we often hear about resource shortages in this area in the US too. However, when things are required to be done, there has to be a way. If Asian concerns are willing to employ human resources online where they can transfer the data to the resource who performs the required analysis and then shares the file on the network. Surely such employment idea won't be without challenges, the major one being the confidentiality of data.
SharCo,
User Rank: Bit Player 1/15/2013 | 7:11:45 AM
Re: No way. No doubt about it, mobile is booming. Numerous studies point to the fact that by 2016, there will be more mobile devices in use than the total number of the human population. Those are astounding figures with an even massive impact. So really, due focus should be placed on mobile's contribution.
SharCo,
User Rank: Bit Player 1/15/2013 | 7:10:25 AM
Re: The global opportunity Yes, you have a point. There is always a time delay when it comes to technology and whatnot as it 'travels' overseas. Being based in Asia, I have yet to hear of large-scale applications or implementations of big data analysis. Many firms are starting as they are well aware of the benefits of doing so. Others are still researching on how to go about it, but I expect we shall see a growth in it within the years to come. Better late than never, I suppose.
Saul Sherry,
User Rank: Blogger 1/15/2013 | 4:41:15 AM
Re: The global opportunity That will see an extension of the skills gap as well @Waqas. As Europe and the US develop their plans they have revealed those skillsets needed to perform. I wonder how this will convert in the Asian market. Is there already a prepared generation of data scientists ready to roll? I would doubt it.
Also, as Europe and US rush into this area - there is a worry they will be poaching the best minds in this field from other regions.
MDMConsult,
User Rank: Exabyte Executive 1/15/2013 | 12:40:10 AM
Re: The global opportunity Strong interest in these areas and markets that have high adoption rates for growth with Big Data in Asia. For retail, big data - analytics will influence products, customers, how they choose to spend their time and money.
WaqasAltaf,
User Rank: Exabyte Executive 1/14/2013 | 1:36:42 PM
Re: No way. Good point raised about mobile's contribution in generating big data. When users didn't had access to internet via mobile devices, they had to wait to access internet till the time they were around their laptops. Meanwhile in case of mobile, as soon as a query is generated in their mind, they log on to internet and throw data. Such ease of access has contributed to generation of big data immensely as ease of access means more information is required due to questions generated due to increased usage.
WaqasAltaf,
User Rank: Exabyte Executive 1/14/2013 | 1:27:45 PM
The global opportunity The big data discussion has been most heard from the US and European nations but now we need to focus on Asian market too as retailers, manufacturers and other supply chain participants realize that their major chunk of revenue is expected from this region hence quality information is a must to make informed decisions. The research done by research agencies and universities in the US can be utilized esp by the multinationals to gain maximum insight from big data generated from the Asian region.
Saul Sherry,
User Rank: Blogger 1/10/2013 | 12:17:08 PM
Re: No way. @legalcio, true mobility will be driving this consumption - but also driving access. It will be much easier to get a wifi or 3g enabled device into hands than to get fibre optic and a desktop into homes... of course the fact that they will be mobile opens up all those glorious mobile data streams like GPS.
legalcio,
User Rank: Exabyte Executive 1/10/2013 | 11:36:04 AM
No way. I could, of course, be wrong. The technology of analytics might keep pace with the tonnage of internet users and their data, but given the explosion of mobility alone Big Data is going to become a LOT bigger.
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