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Data Center Trends to Watch for in 2014



Contact me at tradd.duggan@integratelecom.com at Integra  for more Info 3o3-884-4294: Whether your company needs Managed Network Services, price shopping, Cloud Firewall Solutions, Ethernet or Fiber Services, MPLS- Data protection, VOIP-SIP-Integra has a suite of offerings that nobody else can provide.

Technology Behind The Sochi 2014 Olympic Games

Technology Drives Sochi
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Viewers of this year's Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games will see notable improvements in graphics, new studios and streaming media technologies that NBC Olympics is betting will make the games more visually appealing and a more engaging experience.

NBC has built entirely new studios designed by New York-based ClickSpring that will include more screens that staff can use to explain the action. It has also made significant investments in graphics and virtual technologies. Graphics technologies are particularly important for the Olympics because many people may be less familiar with some of the sports. Having graphics to show the speed of the athletes or the force of gravity during a bob sled run will get viewers more engaged in the action, NBC executives have said.

Equally important will be technologies for streamlining workflows and producing record amounts of content both for TV and for a variety of digital platforms. During the games, NBC Olympics will supply 1,539-plus hours of total coverage, more than the 2010 and 2006 Winter Games combined. It will deliver a record 536 hours for its television channels and will stream all 98 events live, for more than 1,000 hours of coverage on digital platforms.

Contact me at tradd.duggan@integratelecom.com at Integra  for more Info 3o3-884-4294: Whether your company needs Managed Network Services, price shopping, Cloud Firewall Solutions, Ethernet or Fiber Services, MPLS- Data protection, VOIP-SIP-Integra has a suite of offerings that nobody else can provide.

5 Steps To Master Big Data and Predictive Analytics in 2014

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As recently as the past two years, one of the seminal issues regarding Big Data was storage, especially with respect to the exponential growth and size of unstructured data that did not fit into databases (e.g., video feeds, PowerPoint presentations). Indeed petabytes and exabytes of data exist in science, technology, commerce, national defense, telecommunications, and other fields. Today, however, the competitive landscape is very different. Proper storage is merely a pre-condition to finding the real jewels in Big Data—turning data from massive streams into knowledge, and thereby actionable intelligence in real time as events unfold. The following five steps are imperative to master Big Data and drive business growth.

 1. Infer, Infer, Infer. Understand that not all Big Data is useful data. According to the renowned AT&T Bell Telephone Laboratories statistician John Tukey, “data may not contain the answer. The coordination of some data and an aching desire for an answer will not ensure that a reasonable answer can be extracted from a given body of data.” In an era of data-centric science, we now have advanced analytics that permit inferences from granular data. Inferences transform data into knowledge, which results in greater process transparency and improvements. When evaluating the need to institute analytics as part of your data strategy, it is important to remember that actionable knowledge is not inherent in data per se; rather, it must be extracted based upon established rules and algorithms. While extraction and inference require the type of core platform described below, this should not be overly complicated. As the National Research Council of the National Academies states, even “naive users” should be able to “carry out massive data analysis without a full understanding of systems and statistical uses.” Data scientists play an indispensable role in today’s corporation, but business line executives should not have to rely on them to run analytics and make the inferences that are the basis for decisions. See Frontiers in Massive Data Analysis (National Academy of Sciences 2013). As McKinsey puts it, “sophisticated analytics solutions . . . must be embedded in frontline tools so simple and engaging that managers and frontline employees will be eager to use them daily.” Mobilizing Your C-Suite For Big Data Analytics (McKinsey & Company 2013).

2. Empower a C-Level Data and Predictive Analytics Champion. With big data analytics changing rapidly and straining information structures, corporations and governments need what McKinsey calls “executive horsepower” or “top-management muscle” behind its data initiatives. Id. Accordingly, a C-level officer (e.g., Chief Data Officer, CTO, or Chief Analytics Officer) who comes from both a supply chain and analytics background must have the mandate to lead model analytic centers. In order to succeed, analysts with deep data experience must have a clear strategy with defined initiatives to achieve business results. A forward-thinking analytics strategy thus needs to take place at the business unit level. Why? First, priorities will differ by business unit; the treatment of data in one business unit may have little utility in another. Second, management priorities have to reinforce functional level goals with targets and metrics. A C-level executive who can work with business line managers and still champion analytics in the C-suite is a must.

3. Assess And Modify Your Supply Chain In A Multidimensional Global Context. Do not examine your supply chain without first considering logistics at a macro level. According to the World Economic Forum’s Outlook on the Logistics & Supply Chain Industry (2013), “ratios of trade to GDP for the world as a whole have increased from 39% in 1990 to 59% in 2012.” This change is in large part the result of a “targeted and concerted effort by industry and governments to increase economic growth and jobs.” How does your supply chain fit into this larger context? Consider this: a corporation’s failure to maximize the knowledge in its data and thereby to contribute to unnecessary logistics costs imposes upon itself and others (as well as international trade) what amounts to an inefficiency-based tax. How are corporations faring on other fronts? They spend an astonishing average of eight percent of net sales on transportation, warehousing, customer service, administration, and inventory carrying costs. Yet many do not have a comprehensive view of their data, let alone their upstream or downstream logistics functions. See Supply Chain Logistics As A Driver of Business Strategy and Profitability (C.H. Robinson 2013). Being in the blind has transformative impacts—and not the kind you want. What effect is your logistics framework having on your company? On customer loyalty? How can you use most effectively leverage your data both past and present, and what technology do you need to do so? And while an analysis of your supply chain will ultimately include your relationships with parties such as customers, manufacturers, providers and retailers, it should begin with an inward-facing assessment of key assets.

4. Give Your Data Time-Critical Situational Awareness. In most organizations, data must be pulled from disparate and distributed sources and then processed to yield actionable intelligence. Analytics help a business line identify potential points of improvement. Corporations need to make changes not only in real time as events unfold, but also within the constraints posed by the increasingly distributed nature of modern data sets. Current supply chain management must be concerned with multi-dimensional data that includes temporal and geospatial elements. Examples of temporal data are the acquisition of data from sources such as the Internet, speech and video data, real-time imaging from satellites, and ground-based sensors. Such inputs can be difficult to analyze because the different sources that comprise the data stream have different latencies. Moreover, the amount of temporal data is growing exponentially. Geospatial data, on the other hand, tracks location, whether that of a storm, a car, or a tornado that may render impassible to your trucks certain highways, thus demanding quick redirection to avoid time lost and equipment damage. For shippers, for example, both elements come into play: it is useful to know the location of ships, containers, and even packages in real time and/or two days prior in order to see if interim movement in is unusual and requires action. Coupled with temporal data, a logistics analyst can make informed decisions as events in his supply chain unfold.

 5. Rely On A Core Platform That Creates Derivative Intelligence And Knowledge In Real Time Building a robust supply chain management platform from scratch or by combining point solutions is nearly impossible. From the perspective of cost alone, it is much more effective to partner with a third-party cloud-based solution provider. Your criteria when you choose a platform should be stringent. According to Tim Fleischer, CEO of TransVoyant, a technology and services company that
 enables sub-second operational decisions and support, criteria should include Source Ben Kerschberg


Contact me at tradd.duggan@integratelecom.com at Integra  for more Info 3o3-884-4294: Whether your company needs Managed Network Services, price shopping, Cloud Firewall Solutions, Ethernet or Fiber Services, MPLS- Data protection, VOIP-SIP-Integra has a suite of offerings that nobody else can provide.

The 15 U.S. Cities That Are Driving the Future: Denver-Broomfield-Boulder-Greeley on The Fast Track!

Colorado's Technology Future Looking Better & Better
Slate's Article Link
By Harrison Jacobs

The American economy is being reshaped by the booming industries of technology and energy, according to new rankings by the Milken Institute. In the 2013 rankings of America's best performing cities, 13 cities defined by Milken as tech hubs made it into the top 25, while nine could attribute their impressive growth to the energy industry, notably the shale and natural gas renaissance. Milken's ranking is based on data from both long- and short-term growth in jobs, wages, salaries, and technological output.

15. Denver–Aurora–Broomfield, Colorado This metro area has a diverse high-tech industry that mixes in telecommunications, aerospace, manufacturing, and energy research. The city does so well partially because of its attractive business climate and friendly government. The city’s Business Incentive Fund makes it an attractive place for companies like Southwest Airlines (which just opened a new pilot and flight attendant base) and SCL Health Systems (which moved its headquarters to Denver). The Fund’s efforts will result in over 1,600 jobs and $6 in direct fiscal benefit over the next five years.

14. Nashville–Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, Tennessee The Music City has something new to sing about, namely some serious job growth. An increase in automobile production added nearly 4,000 jobs in 2012, while tourism reached a record high in 2012. The city has experienced a cultural renaissance thanks to the opening of the Music City Convention Center, the Omni Hotel next door, and an expansion of the Country Music Hall of Fame, with a total of 4,100 jobs in restaurants and bars in 2012.

13. Raleigh–Cary, North Carolina Raleigh has a large, educated workforce, high-profile universities, and low operating costs for businesses. The city has experienced an expansion in the tech industry, fueling growth in a number of other areas. Recently, financial services firms like Fidelity Investments and Credit Suisse have built bases in the area, as well as MetLife, which has plans to build new global technology services hubs.

12. San Antonio–New Braunfels, Texas Home to one of the largest medical facilities in the nation, San Antonio has seen strong job growth from military medical operations. Ambulatory health-care services created more than 12,000 jobs over the last five years. Medical isn’t the only thing driving development. San Antonio is also home to the largest oil and gas development in the world in the Eagle Ford Shale. Record drilling levels and high-yield wells are pumping new jobs into energy and related sectors. The city was ninth in job growth over the last five years. A nationwide restructuring of military bases could lead to many new jobs.

11. Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville, South Carolina Charleston is quickly becoming an aerospace hub thanks to Boeing, which recently announced a $1 billion expansion that will create 2,000 jobs over the next eight years. The state is helping fuel growth as well, as it agreed to provide incentives for upfront expansion costs for Boeing's manufacturing complex. That would create additional jobs, putting the total at 8,000. The state is also updating and improving the port's infrastructure so that it can accommodate larger container ships.

10. Greeley, Colorado Niobrara shale has created a boomtown in Greeley, Colorado. Noble Energy, which just completed a 65,000 square foot headquarters, is expected to invest another $8 billion in the city over the next five years. In addition to the natural gas and oil boom, wind energy has provided another growth area. Vestas Wind Systems has plans to expand its workforce in Greeley.

9. Boulder, Colorado The University of Colorado may be Boulder’s top employer, but the city has one of the strongest tech sectors in the nation. Companies like IBM, Level 3 Communications, and Oracle all have strong operations in Boulder, and the city ranks first in the country for density of high-tech startups. Expect growth in clean tech, medical devices, aerospace, and health care over the coming years.

8. Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown, Texas Houston’s growth has been fueled by the boom in oil and gas exploration. Shale gas exploration in particular is creating jobs in multiple areas. It’s led to 10,500 jobs in professional and scientific services, while administrative, machinery, and manufacturing industries have also seen job gains. Job growth is the seventh strongest in the country over the last five years, largely because Houston’s energy infrastructure is only getting more developed. Multiple companies are building export terminals, fractionaters, and ethane crackers. Expect a huge increase in engineering and construction jobs as a result. Top Comment Only a third of the top dozen are in Texas. Durn ignorant rednecks! More... -outsidethebox 83 CommentsJoin In

  7. Dallas–Plano–Irving, Texas Dallas has one of the most diverse economies in the U.S., with strong establishments in tech, aerospace, telecoms, and financial services. Population growth is strong, housing sales are rising, financial services added 5,000 jobs from 2011-12, and employment at corporate headquarters increased by more than 4,000 works over the last five years. Look for Dallas’s job growth to get even stronger as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Lockheed Martin look to expand their presence.

6. Seattle–Bellevue–Everett, Washington Seattle has benefitted from a resurgence in commercial aircraft manufacturing, adding 7,000 high-skilled manufacturing jobs in aerospace from 2011 to 2012. With emerging nations getting more prosperous, commercial aircraft will continue to grow, boosting business for Boeing and its 82,000-person Seattle-based workforce. Seattle is not a one-trick pony either. The city ranks fifth in tech industry concentration, with both Amazon and Google breaking ground on massive new campuses. The expansion of the workforce has also increased the demand for housing, rising property values, and restoring construction jobs.

5. Salt Lake City, Utah Job growth over the last year in Salt Lake City is up to fourth in the rankings. It’s a sign of how well this city is doing, thanks to the recruitment of numerous financial services firms (including Goldman Sachs), as well as the healthy growth of start-ups coming out of nearby universities. The Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (or USTAR), founded by the University of Utah, has become a leader in technology-based development. The healthy growth has created a strong recovery in housing and commercial construction. Outdoor tourism has continued to expand as well, bringing in jobs in leisure and hospitality.

4. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, California With all the talk about Silicon Valley, one might think that San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara would hold onto the No. 1 ranking from last year, but it appears the area is a victim of its own success. Rising housing and business costs are slowing growth. Nonetheless, the area remains the most impressive technology neighborhood in the world. With a powerful ecosystem of startups, established companies, universities, and investors, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is able to maintain its tech dominance. The talent pool in the area is deep and, ultimately, that’s what keeps attracting companies.

3. San Francisco–San Mateo–Redwood City, California With entrepreneurs and tech companies moving from Silicon Valley to the city proper, San Francisco has seen serious growth in GDP (second in 2012) and jobs (third in 2012) in recent years. The influx of residents has risen housing costs and jump-started the construction industry.

2. Provo–Orem, Utah Provo has had a steady climb in the rankings, jumping from seventh to second this year. With the city capturing the top ranking for job growth in 2012, Provo’s climb looks set to continue. The city has a thriving tech sector, anchored by Brigham Young University and software company Novell. Provo is also one of three U.S. cities with Google Fiber, the company’s superfast fiber optic service, which will continue to make Provo an attractive place for tech companies. Add in the new data storage center being built by the National Security Agency and you have a recipe for strong job growth.

1. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, Texas The top spot goes to the metro area of Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, a rising tech center. Austin came in second with job growth over the last five years, due in large part to a diversified technology base. Homegrown tech companies like Dell, National Instruments, and Flextronics complement incoming companies like Apple and IBM (which both now have large bases in Austin), as well as startups coming out of the University of Texas. The city is extremely business-friendly with a low tax, low regulation environment that makes it attractive to out-of-state firms. All of the tech hustle and bustle has led to an influx of young professionals, which has led to a boom in construction. Austin looks to maintain its high-flying output over the next five years as it focuses on clean technology, data centers, digital media, biosciences, and other industries.


Contact me at tradd.duggan@integratelecom.com at Integra  for more Info 3o3-884-4294: Whether your company needs Managed Network Services, price shopping, Cloud Firewall Solutions, Ethernet or Fiber Services, MPLS- Data protection, VOIP-SIP-Integra has a suite of offerings that nobody else can provide.