All Things Data!!

The world we live in today contrasts how life was a few decades ago. Inventions, innovations and new processes are introduced to us daily. The world that is before us did not come to us overnight. What drives the growth of our world? Is it the brilliant architects who have the greatest imaginations? Is it the mechanics who have grasped what their forefathers were seeking? Is it the masterminds who have the next great invention? Is it the computer geeks who have mastered technology to excel our future? The driver of our world is none of the above, at least not entirely. Whether you are an architect, mechanic, mastermind, or computer geek you all have one thing in common…the use of Data!  

Let’s take a moment to think about data in today’s world. Everything is all a buzz in Big Data and the world of Cyber Security. I know that some of you are wondering why do we need data and what is the importance of it? Some think that data is only important in web applications or client databases. Not so, data is everywhere and exist in all we do. Whether Big or Small Data, its necessary to move our world and everything in it.    

Do you understand how data plays an important role in our daily activities? For example, as Catherine prepares to leave the house she thinks of how she is in desperate need of her morning cup of java at her favorite coffee shop, 'Piedmont Coffee House.' She rushes for the door and remembers that she forgot to activate the alarm system. The transmission of data is initiated when Catherine sets the alarm to away mode. Data is transmitted through her security system panel to a monitoring agent.

Now that the house has been armed and is secure Catherine then steps outside to start her vehicle, let’s be clear, we all know that today’s vehicles are basically computers on wheels! All technology that goes into making vehicles today are completely driven by data. Years ago, we would identify the internal components of our vehicle as an electrical system. Today, it’s known as a CAN – Controller Area Network. The vehicles sensor data has been initiated and allows the vehicle to start, control the windows and seat adjustments.  Yes! It’s all data!  

Now in the car driving to get her morning cup of java, Catherine finally arrives at the coffee shop. As the half awaken Catherine pulls into the parking lot, she knows that the parking spot will be located right next to Piedmont Coffee House's building. Why isn't the parking lot a hundred yards away? More specifically, parking spaces within a parking lot are a certain width and length. It's data collection and analytics that accounts for all the reasons you could think of! The parking spot to her favorite coffee shop is probably meant for thirty mid-sized cars rather than thirty tractor trailers. Data would represent that at this coffee shop, its customers mainly have mid-sized cars. Yes! It’s all based on data driven geographical facts.

The small, minute details of a parking generally will not cross Catherine's mind. What will cross her mind is the coffee as she rushes inside. This is her must have coffee! What makes this coffee shop so great? What kind of data did Piedmont Coffee House have to gather to ensure their shop would appeal to people like Catherine? Would artificially made coffee taste much better than naturally grown coffee? Piedmont Coffee House knows to serve a multitude of different types of coffee at its highest quality based on inventory and order fulfillment data. Through use of data analysis, products are identified that appeals to the customers taste which is why Catherine chooses Piedmont Coffee House!

In conclusion, Data is utterly important in our everyday life. Data is the driving force behind most of our daily activities. Therefore, reaffirming the case of ALL THINGS DATA!!