Cis500 Big Data

INTRODUCTION

Everyday massive amounts of data is generated. This big data can equate to astronomical amounts like zettabytes which converts to over one trillion gigabytes. Companies find various opportunities in taking advantage of all this data by improving products, understanding user needs, and troubleshooting potential and current mechanical concerns. This has helped companies improve quality of product, increase revenue, and limit loss. Volvo is one specific company that has found an outlet to maximize on the collection and analysis of the big data collected.

INTEGRATION & TRANSFORMATION

In 2010, Volvo was sold from Ford, a US based car company. Prior to the demerger, Volvo was in negotiations with Microsoft in soliciting its cloud computing services (Lauchlan, n.d.). Volvo decided to sign with Microsoft which delivered IT services like email, messaging, and collaboration platforms (Lauchlan, n.d.). This new software suite has afforded Volvo employees the ability to be actively engaged instantly on a global level when it comes to development and design of vehicle systems. Additionally it streamlines productivity because it builds a stronger interdepartmental communication system. In addition to interdepartmental communication, Volvo has also implemented communication devices within the vehicles to relay information regarding, brakes, transmission, fuel economy, and a myriad of other measurable markers to be updated to the cloud.

Volvo has taken advantage of transferring information systems to the cloud. Sensors are placed throughout Volvo vehicles to make them more intuitive as well as to report back to Volvo headquarters (Converting data into business values at Volvo, 2011). They have leveraged this capability to converting data into usable information. Data that is retrieved from Volvo vehicles is uplinked to the cloud and dispersed through various algorithms and converted into tables, charts, and graphs to discern cheers and jeers of the...