You could say that for the past 20 years we talked the data analytics talk but didn't really walk the data analytics walk. It isn't that companies didn't do data analytics; they did. Many people were employed as data analysts or used data analyst tools as part of their job. You could find them in pharmaceutical companies, banks, insurance, big retail and, once the web took off, they were attacking web log data with their mathematical tools.   

All the effort that goes into data governance can quickly be lost if effective guard rails aren't in place. However, end users invariably need additional data sets to get a 360-view. All too often, some or all of those additional data sources have not yet run the gauntlet of governance. Striking a balance between core and contextual data can help ensure that your business stays on top of opportunities without straying from the path. Register for this episode of The Briefing Room to learn from veteran Analyst Dr. Robin Bloor, who will explain the nuances of integrating governed and ungoverned data in ways that business users can easily leverage.   

Today's savvy organizations know that a streamlined approach to data and applications can put the power of predictive analytics right where it needs to be: in the hands of the user. A real revolution is underway for the graphic design of such user interfaces, and central to this overhaul of design is the concept of intelligent, simple workflow, which enables users to get things done in an orderly fashion. Register for this episode of The Briefing Room to hear analyst Mike Ferguson of Intelligent Business Strategies as he explains why interface design and workflow must go hand-in-hand.   

Improving patient care remains a top priority for America's healthcare organizations, but for a group of providers in New Orleans, that bar wasn't high enough. Though still in its early stages, a new project has already received national recognition and is being considered as a model for other major urban centers. The program, led by the Louisiana Public Health Institute, has focused on quality improvement for chronic care management in primary practices, enabling transitions of care using health information technology, and promoting consumer engagement through mobile phones. Register for this free webcast to hear LPHI's director, Dr. Anjum Khurshid, explain the component parts of this program, the foundation of which is the Greater New Orleans Health Information Exchange.  

The modern business analyst needs data from all over the place: yes, the data warehouse, but also the Web, big data, production systems, as well as via partners and vendors. In fact, the typical analyst spends more than 50% of the time chasing data, which slows delivery of analytic insights and limits the time available for thorough analysis. Some practitioners refer to this conundrum as "the data problem." Register for this episode of The Briefing Room to hear veteran Analyst Colin White of BI Research as he explains why analytical sandboxes and data hubs can be an analyst's best friend.