Big data, big problem for SMEs?

00009-08_SEPT(253).jpgWith more and more businesses banging the drum for big data, questions have been raised among small to medium enterprise (SME) owners as to whether the investment of time and money is worth the effort in the long run.
Today, organisations of all sizes typically have some level of digital presence through which data can be inevitably collected and stored. This has led to a common misconception of the term big data as ‘having to deal with lots of data’. Volume is clearly a part of a big data solution, but the process is often more about unlocking the potential from structured and unstructured information.
Flexibility is crucial for SMEs with their limited resources. The ability to move a record easily from one source to another is key, and, if the process is ironed out, it provides proprietors with instant access to valuable insight, offering immediate learnings with which they can respond to such as spikes in demand for certain products or searches for a particular service.
It is therefore important that SMEs understand the value of the existing bank of data they have, and in particular, no one should ever be afraid of hoarding too much data.
jamie-turner-1There is always technology software on the market that can help if the amount of information stored has built up to unmanageable levels.
Maintenance of this information is equally paramount and the analytical process needs to become a part of daily business operations. Any investment an SME decides to make with regards to developing a solid, working big data management system will see a return.
After all, insight is priceless and smaller start-ups and SMEs should always be looking to maximise the potential of big data and the huge selection of insider information it offers.

Jamie Turner is chief technology officer at Postcode Anywhere

3 Comments on "Big data, big problem for SMEs?"

  1. RT @dm_editor: Big data, big problem for SMEs? http://t.co/kDyJP3V1J2 #data

  2. RT @PCAJamie: RT @dm_editor: Big data, big problem for SMEs? http://t.co/kDyJP3V1J2 #data

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