Big data can benefit organizations in a number of industries. From retail to health care, companies are leveraging their information to improve overall operations and make smart decisions to influence future growth. But the advantages of big data management are not exclusive to the private sector. In fact, entire cities can use big data to improve the way of life for their citizens by integrating data from disparate systems to better understand their needs.
According to an article from Blue Sky Innovation, a subsidiary of the Chicago Tribune dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship news, this is becoming an increasingly important concern for city administrators. Recently, a panel of experts at a Chicago Council on Global Affairs event discussed four areas of city management that can be dramatically improved by big data management. These include: energy, transportation, education and public safety.
Data scientists have been reviewing the possible uses of information for some time and many are willing to offer their guidance to help public officials make the most of their information. Caralynn Nowinski, executive director and COO at UI Labs and a panelist at the event, spoke with the news source after the event and shared her thoughts.
“Cities can’t do this all on their own, but if we can celebrate some of the best practices and share those with other cities … our thought is that it can lead to pretty incredible possibilities,” Nowinski said.
In a city environment, big data management requires analysts to collect appropriate data from various environments and incorporate it into a centralized system where reports can be developed in real-time. If done effectively, municipal agencies can enjoy several benefits. Data can help identify public needs and the best ways to address them. It can determine which projects are worthy of investment and help decision makers prioritize based on ROI potential.
This principle can be applied in just about any setting. Private sector organizations can enjoy the same benefits if they possess the right solutions to manage big data effectively. The ability to extract, transform and report on information in real-time can provide insights that ultimately lead to smarter decisions that better the company.
The benefits of business intelligence are that if systems are implemented and operated correctly, they dramatically reduce expenses and can improve the cost effectiveness of big data management. City offices or other public organizations, in addition to private companies, can all improve operations with business intelligence analytics.