Causes of World Death

A good dynamic visualization of this data in Tableau public, emphasizing a treemap visualization and supporting bar charts.   I think this could be used for many kinds of complex health data.  " ... Identification of detailed causes is very important for priority settings and planning, since interventions are cause-specific. The data visualization “Causes of death in the World, 1990-2010” shows the detailed leading causes of deaths at global level in 1990, 2005 and 2010 by age groups, sex and broad groups of causes. Two dynamically linked visuals, a treemap and a bar chart with filters by analytic dimensions allows readers to explore leading causes of deaths by age, sex, broad groups of causes and years. The treemap ranks causes of deaths within broad groups of causes; meanwhile the bar chart displays the rank of all causes. ... " 

Illusions of Cognition in Computing

Interesting Forrester piece:  In fact all AI and expertise based systems appear to be cognitive.  How is this an illusion?   In fact in our own experiments with systems with only a handful of rules, say a dozen, could be seen as complexly cognitive.  And even such a simple system, would be quite difficult to manage, despite what the expert systems manuals said ... that all you had to do was drop in a rule to advance the systems knowledge..  You could, but the system would also have unexpected operational differences.   " ... IBM has just announced that one of Australia’s “big four” banks, the ANZ, will adopt the IBM Watson technology in their wealth management division for customer service and engagement. Australia has always been an early adopter of new technologies but I’d also like to think that we’re a little smarter and savvier than your average geek back in high school in 1982.  ... IBM’s Watson announcement is significant, not necessarily because of the sophistication of the Watson technology, but because of IBM's ability to successfully market the Watson concept. ... " 

Management Tools and Trends 2013

A look at the year 2013: From Darrell Rigby, my correspondent at Bain & Company.  " .... Global executives who participated in Bain & Company's 14th Management Tools & Trends survey see economic conditions improving in their industries. But their confidence has waned since our last survey in 2010 amid a slower recovery than many anticipated. As a result, 55% of executives surveyed are concerned about meeting their earnings targets in 2013. Their priority is to grow revenues, and they're taking a more strategic and focused approach. ... "  

Watson as a Customer Service Agent

In Forbes:  Once your have built an 'intelligent' knowledge structure like Watson, all sorts of advisory applications come to mind.  In the link it is positioned as a customer service agent.  Likely works best in very focused examples, as we discovered in the late 80s.   " ... Starting in the next few months, IBM will be rolling out with several key customers an “Ask Watson” feature that will greet and offer help through various channels:  Web chats, email, smartphone apps and SMS. Some customers will eventually equip the service with voice recognition from a partner such as Siri or Nuance. The guinea pigs include Australia’s ANZ Bank, Nielsen, Celcom, IHS, and Royal Bank of Canada. ... " 

A Look at Regulatory Burdens

A number of studies examine this. MJ Perry concludes that regulatory costs are the second highest component of a US family's cost.

Data in that Toothbrush

In Adage:  More internet of things linked with consumer behavior plays: " ... Imagine for a second that you could interview a product. How often is it being used? For how long? And where in the house does it live? Sounds crazy, but it's increasingly probable as marketers mine for data beyond the usual places -- web browsers, loyalty programs and smartphones -- and capture information from pill packages, soda fountains and the most mundane of consumer implements, the toothbrush. ... " 

Mobile BI Tools

I am in the midst of exploring mobile BI on tablets.  It is increasingly being specified that the solutions will be mobile.  That adds a number of challenges.  More.

Footprint App Again

I see that Kevin Karakotsios has made his Footprint USA environmental simulation iPad App free for a limited time only.   Worth a look.  I really like the style of his simulation based methods.  Good instructional simulation as well.  These techniques are much used in industry and university, but not well known outside.   More about the App here.

Software Patents

In the WSJ:  On software patents.   A survey and debate on the topic.   The patent system, like the copyright laws, are broken and impede innovation.   Process within software perhaps, but the system is heavily gamed and poorly managed.

One Planet Living on a Footprint App

Long time correspondent Ken Karakotsios has posted an excellent case study for the use of his Footprint USA App.  (Free now for a limited time) I mentioned it previously and have been exploring its visualization capabilities. I have been an industrial simulation practitioner for a long time, and it is good to see the application of these methods and their mobile delivery.  The App is a great place to get an understanding of what can be done with this technology to drive simulation from complex data.  He has made a number of good updates to the tablet App since its release.  Here is his introduction, follow the blog for updates to the journey:

" ... Each year the Worldwatch Institute publishes a State of the World, which is a collection of articles by different authors. This year's version, State of the World 2013: Is Sustainability Still Possible?, has some fascinating and enlightening articles. This is a first in a series of blog posts relating ways in which you can use Footprint USA to further explore some of the ideas discussed in the State of the World ...  " 

Twining Things Together

Good Wired Piece about Twine, an experimental capability that allows you to link together sensors in your hope to create an Internet of things.  Inexpensive and it seems to be readily usable by the hobbyist. Customizable and rule based with optional sensors for specific applications.   We tested much more expensive home control systems in the innovation centers.

So What is Tumblr?

About to be sold to Yahoo.  I was asked to look at it as a microblogging tool a few years ago.   A microblog is an easy to use way to write blog posts. Tumblr adds direct support of images and social components.   Time Tech provides an overview.

The Modern Marketer

Former colleague Dave Knox, writes in his Hard Knox Life blog about the modern marketer, where he includes a whimsical infographic illustrating how the modern marketer is half artist and half scientist.  Agree ..  its a good thing to consider as you think about how technology links with marketing.

Big Data and Market Research

In Innovation Excellence:  It is natural to think about how data measuring aggregate human behavior is gathered.  Its done all the time.  That data is large, varied and volatile so it makes sense to also think about it with BD approaches.  Is that inherently a better approach?  Don't know yet, but its worth examining closely.

Why Big Customers want Quantum Computing

In the BBC:  Notably the Pentagon and Google.  This article does a good job of saying why this will ultimately be important.  Once again D-Wave is complimented as being a forerunner in the field.

Uploading Brains

We don't yet understand the nature of consciousness, or the precise nature of how things are stored in our brains.  Yet many are suggesting we can do a download very soon.  In fiction perhaps, but we have a way to go in reality.

Decreasing Time to Insight

In Information Management:  I agree that decreasing time in coming to an answer matters.  In particular if you are doing something like selecting a promotion for mobile delivery.  Or predicting  failure in a high speed manufacturing process.  But it is more important first to get the right answer, and making sure the conclusion is inserted in the correct place in the decision process.  Otherwise faster is just dangerous.

Der Spiegel on Numbers

Der Spiegel, German news magazine, has a readable piece, in English, on big data and its use for forward looking predictive analytics.   Read it here.  Fairly good introduction.

Placebo App on Smartphones

In Mashable:   The placebo effect has been known for a long time.  Is there a way to use interaction with a smartphone to produce a similar effect?  And can that effect be more readily tailored with a smartphone?  All interesting questions.  " ... Here's how it works: You begin the experience by choosing which lifestyle aspect you'd like to change — say, quitting smoking or decreasing stress — before scheduling an alarm-like reminder to "take it" each day. Then, you can personalize it further by choosing exactly what you'll be taking (it doesn't need to be a picture of a pill). The whole idea is to create a comfortable "happy place" to achieve the proper effect. With the right mindset, the group says, the act of routinely pressing buttons and watching your smartphone's screen will be equivalent to physically swallowing a sugar pill. ... " 

App Aids Vision Impaired Photographers

An interesting App in development.  Seems like this is mostly operational:  " ...  University of California, Santa Cruz researchers are developing a smartphone application that helps visually impaired users take pictures. The researchers polled 54 people with varying degrees of vision impairment to determine what they find most challenging about taking photos. The researchers found that many smartphones already offer face detection, but other more useful features are needed to make a camera app suitable for the visually impaired. For example, instead of a shutter button, which can be difficult to locate, the new app snaps a picture in response to a simple upward swipe gesture. ... "

Google I/O Review

A good overview of the 2013 Google I/O developer presentations that gives you a better understanding where Google, with its massive collection of data, is going.   Worth understanding for anyone, heavy Google user or not.

Analytics are the Supply Chain's Next Big Thing

Well yes, and have been since at least the 1960s.  Good to be reminded, but this is very old news.

IBM, GM Cultivate Data Scientists

In Adage:  Not unexpected that large companies would want to work with schools and vendors to increase the population of needed skills for dealing with the data deluge and its leverage with analytics.

Intelligent Machine Design

An upcoming Webinar on Machine Design on May 23.  Requires registration. An area we looked into during our AI phase to better apply manufacturing methods in flexible and efficient ways.  I will be busy that day, but I see you can register for recorded access.  " ... The world is transitioning from traditional fixed-function and isolated machines to a new category of intelligent systems that offer vastly enhanced user experiences and increased information flow. In an effort to build smarter machines and manufacturing equipment for the intelligent factory, machine builders improve their control architectures with embedded systems that help them implement advanced control and monitoring tasks. This joint webinar from National Instruments and Intel provides insight into the challenges machine builders face today and demonstrates proven methods and solutions that help designers get ahead of the competition. You can see the impact graphical system design and customizable off-the-shelf hardware have on design process and success. You can also learn how embedded control and monitoring systems help builders understand differentiated machines without leaving their comfort zone. ... " 

Who Likes Change?

In the HBR: No one, really, but how can they be involved in determining real change?  Good overview piece, but I would add that a good simulation of the decision process, like the use of Business Process Modeling (BPM) can be a vehicle to showing outcomes of change before implementing them.

New in Google Plus

Google's social network lets Google+ get smarter.  In Technology Review.  I have used it only sparingly for a few years, but I know many groups that are enthusiastic about it.  Worth another look now that it has been improved, and may do that.

Future Packaging

IDEO produces some interesting package designs of the future.  " ... To a large extent, packaging mediates our experience with the world, probably more than any of us realize. This year’s charrette elicited a vast array of ideas that explore how packaging design can assume more participatory or guiding roles in a product’s or object’s consumption. Bertrand and co. guided teams to develop ideas around two categories: Relationships and Tensions. ... " 

Surprise in Innovation

Correspondent Michael Schrage in the  HBR Blog.  He talks reactive and proactive surprise.  Ans how the difference can pay big dividends.  With the example of DARPA, a group I worked with in the 70s.   " ... Anticipating and enabling "technological surprise" has become even more challenging, DARPA director Arati Prabhakar recently told an MIT audience, because more people in more places have more access to more technology that ever before. Surprises can come from anywhere. In an era of greater global trade, knowledge transfer and transparency, Prabhakar unsurprisingly reports DARPA's core value proposition demands disproportionately greater imagination and ingenuity. Predictability breeds complacency. Predictability is DARPA's cultural, technical and organizational enemy. ..." 

Marketing, Advertising and Big Data

Big Data and Marketing:  " ... Luminar, PubMatic and Lotame Solutions Inc. are living proof that marketing and advertising are two of the killer applications for big data technologies like Hadoop, according to officials at the three firms, as well as IT industry analysts. ...  "

Thinking Business Process Modeling

A long time interest.  Here, ten points to think out before starting.  " ... Most organizations understand how business process management (BPM) can generate long-term benefits, but the common thinking has been that implementing a BPM solution will be a complicated and disruptive short-term task. It doesn't have to be. If you set reasonable goals, choose a system that works for your needs, and approach the implementation in an organized way, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that badly planned BPM projects encounter. Here is a 10-point guide to getting started with BPM. .... "

Marketers and Gaming

In Fast Company: What Marketers can learn from Gaming.  An interesting take that should be developed further.  " ... Now marketers are discovering the “power of play” to boost customer interaction. In April 2010, games developer Halfbrick Studios released a mobile game app called Fruit Ninja wherein players swipe their fingers, sword-like, on a touch screen to slice flying apples, oranges, and other fruit. Two years later, the mega-popular game has been downloaded over 400 million times. It’s also one of the top 10 most downloaded iPhone games ever. Every day, over 25 million people in 80 countries enjoy the colorful graphics and addictive gameplay. ... " 

Supply Shock

A concept I had not heard in quite a while.   How does 'supply shock' spread through a system and influence costs and inventory and markets?   Would like to see a simulation of this.  Here using as an example the spread of North American Shale Oil and gas.

Spicy Foods

An area we examined in the sensory realm.    In particular as a branding experiment, the Tabasco brand mentioned took a very long time to extend its reach.   Now has dozens of SKUs. The basic sauce can be seen in silent movies in 1916.

Feigenbaum Wins IEEE Pioneer Award

Edward Feigenbaum, known as the father of expert systems, Stanford Professor Emeritus, has been awarded the Computer Society Pioneer Award.    We consulted with him on the use of expert systems for some of our earliest knowledge systems in the 1980s, and his Teknowledge startup, resulting in millions of dollars in savings.  " ... he and Nobel laureate biologist Joshua Lederberg started the DENDRAL project, producing the world's first expert system. DENDRAL's groundbreaking accomplishments inspired an evolution of expert systems, moving artificial intelligence out of the laboratory and into countless software applications. It also changed the framework of AI science: the power of an AI program came to be seen as largely in its knowledge base, not in its inference processes. ... "  We studied the Dendral system as an example of expertise systems.    Although somewhat before their time then, they have formed the basis for systems like IBM's Watson.

Baxter Robot for Researchers

Open source software for a standard robot:  " ...  Rethink Robotics, the Boston startup founded by Rodney Brooks, doesn't want to be just a robot maker. The company wants Baxter, its innovative industrial robot, to become a platform that anyone can use to develop new robotics applications. To achieve that, Rethink recently announced a version of Baxter for researchers, who will have access to an open source software development kit to "hack" the robot. ... "

StudioNeuro

Brought late to my attention StudioNeuro,  brought to my attention by A K Pradeep of Neurofocus/Nielsen.   A number of the advisors are known to me.  Appears to be an integration of Neuromarketing technology with specific Nielsen data generation and delivery processes.  Looking for more.  Also here: https://twitter.com/studioneuro 

Twitter Buys Big Data Analytics

An expected kind of move.  The value of all social media will ultimately come from analyzing the behavior with their systems.  I had not heard of the company, Lucky Sort.   In CWorld.

SAP Lumira Cloud

A useful view of SAP Lumira Cloud, formerly SAP Visual Intelligence.   I had taken a superficial look at this a few months ago.  The change of the name from something at least generally descriptive, to something mysteriously including a favorite buzzword, seems superficial at best.  The review is negative.  A simple visual me-too dashboard generation method, with no real way to get you get to the next level.  Permits what I always say regarding using analytic methods:  always visualize the data comprehensively first.  I can see if you are are already a SAP shop this is worth understanding, if not it won't take you there.  But you cannot say that SAP does not have data visualization, despite the name.

Competition in Free Cloud Storage

ComputerWorld Reports that Google Drive has increased their free cloud storage to 15 GB.  With Skydrive and Dropbox and iCloud and others the space available for no cost continues to expand. Very convenient for syncing between an increasing number of devices.

Pepsi's Touch Tower

Touch Tower, which  appears to be Pepsi's response to Coke's Freestyle machines, which now seem to be common but not universal.  Coke says there are about 7000 of these in place and are meant to drive demand. We saw the Coke version in its early forms.    From a supply chain perspective, this introduces the concept of  late stage differentiation.  It also has the potential for gathering new kinds of point of sale information about consumer choice.   More in AdAge.  It is unclear if the images shown are final designs.   And in WSJ.

Target Teams With Facebook

In AdAge:   Always looking for ways that big social media can leverage their participants, and this one is interesting.  In particular how online can drive in store.  " ... Target has partnered with Facebook to build a new digital discounts program, called Cartwheel, that promises a "whole new spin on saving." The tool, which is somewhat reminiscent of Facebook's ill-fated Beacon initiative, automatically posts messages to users' feeds when they claim deals. ... " 

Sending Scent

A long followed idea.  We did actual experiments in the space.  Can digital scent signatures be transmtted and reconstructed?  We found out no at the time.  Another attempt at the idea.  Still in Beta and looks unlikely, but I post this to be complete.

Scraping Tweets to Gather Data

In GigaOM:  As one who frequently fumbles about for specific information in a Twitter stream, this looks good.  " ....  A new beta version of ScraperWiki makes it easy to relatively easy to scrape Twitter for certain phrases and get to work analyzing the data. It’s just one more way that data analysis is getting democratized. ... "   I found amusing though the embedding of this in the 'open data mandate', and data democratization.   Data and information, open and democratic is commendable, but is this before or after its manipulation?  Get it right first.  If the data is wrong, who are wrong to begin with.

PARC Future View

We visited them frequently in the early days of having an information technology research group.   In recent years I have heard less from them.  Here they are asked about their technological view of the future.   No real surprises, but some worthwhile details.  A list of project areas underway.

Mobile BI Applications

Key steps for Mobile BI applications, a process I am now studying.  But it is not only about the devices to be used, but what the decision process is.

When Elevators Phone Home

In GigaOM:   This has been described before as the internet of things.  But what are the most interesting that this network can do, beyond the obvious?   Networking intelligent, analytic things will likely be the next revolution.  " .... Your next elevator pitch might actually come from data derived from your elevator. That’s the case for an unnamed elevator manufacturing company that used Splunk’s machine data logging software to track how often its elevators were taking trips in its clients’ buildings. It noticed that the fewer trips people made, the more likely it was that the client would cancel the lucrative maintenance contracts the firm offered.

So it took that data and tweaked its approach. Now when it sees a slowdown it reaches out to the client to try a new plan or just make sure the clients don’t cancel. In the future it may offer new pricing plans to adjust for slack usage. ... "