Big Data and Business in Milton Keynes

You may have heard the hype in the media relating to Big Data. People are referring to data as ‘the new oil' where progress is going to come from in the future. Big Data promises to improve services, discover new products and through analysis offer solutions to problems old and new. And there is the possibility of making lots and lots of money!

But what is Big Data and how can you use it to grow your business or generate more profit?

 

Simply put, big data is information. This information can be complex, dynamic, noisy, structured and un-structured. It may also be corrupted or incomplete. It can be found in databases, mobile devices, sensors, social media, blogs, websites, smart-meters and financial systems. Traditionally we think of data as measurable, being comprised of vectors- a string of numbers and coordinates. But data from sources such as Twitter, Facebook, Google, CCTV data or even court records look nothing like that and therefore researchers need new tools in order to extract the useful information from this data.

 

This is where a Data Hub comes in handy – as the technology can capture and analyse any data, regardless of what type, how much, or how fast it is moving. Through unique algorithms, data can be gathered and analysed and more informed decision made.

 

UniversityCampus Milton Keynes is working in collaboration with the Open University, BT and Milton Keynes Council on creating a Data Hub for Milton Keynes. The MK:Smart project, led by the Open University, aims to make Milton Keynes into a smart city and UCMK is at the forefront of this with the Data Hub that will be located at its city centre campus on Avebury Boulevard.

 

Already there are examples of companies and organisations using Big Data to improve services and performance. Germany’s national football team used Big Data to win the World Cup in Brazil. For the German team, one of their key targets ahead of the World Cup was to improve their passing speed.

Together with software company SAP, the German Football Association (DBF) developed an application called Match Insights, which analyses vast amounts of data about members of the German team and their opponents, based on their on-field performance.

The team was able to reduce average possession time from 3.4 seconds in 2010 down to 1.1 second in 2014 with the help of big data analytics.

"SAP’s involvement has transformed the football experience for coaches, players, fans, and the media," Oliver Bierhoff, manager of the German national football team told The Telegraph.

 

"Imagine this: In just 10 minutes, 10 players with three balls can produce over seven million data points. With SAP, our team can analyse this huge amount of data to customise training and prepare for the next match."

As well as enabling the German team to analyse its own performance, Match Insights can help coaches and players to identify opponents' strengths and weaknesses, and inform defensive tactics.

The software can extract data on individual players, and present it in the form of digital personas, so that it is "as simple to use as their favorite video game", according to Chris Burton, general vice president of global sponsorships at SAP.

The MK Data Hub will curate and make available a variety of Big; Data sources to small and medium sized enterprises in the Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. These will include: local and national open data resources, data streams from key infrastructure networks (energy, transport, water), relevant sensor networks, satellite data and data crowd sourced from social media.

Another example of how Big Data can be used by is how online dating agency, Match.com has improved prospects for their clients.

 

Match.com estimates that it has more than 70 terabytes (70,000 gigabytes) of data about its customers. Applying big data analytics to the information their customers willingly give when joining the sites is helping the agencies, in turn, provide better matches for these same customers. More satisfied customers means more profiles which means bigger profits.

For more information about Big Data or to get involved with the MK:Data Hub visit UCMK website, MK:Smart or contact Rajinder Sharma on: Rajinder.sharma@beds.ac.uk

Healthy eating for students

UCMK provides tips on foods to avoid and healthier take-away options available close to the University.

Studies have proven that a balanced and healthy diet can help boost brain power, memory and overall happiness and wellbeing.

Food is the fuel for our bodies and yet during student years it is tempting to live on fast food: often cheap and satisfying but unfortunately not always healthy.

Many takeaway meals can push you over your recommended daily maximum amount of salt, fat and sugar. This can eventually lead to a variety of health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes as well as reduced energy levels, foggy-brain and low moods.

The UCMK campus is centrally located and close to a variety of eateries. Check out our top picks for healthy waist-friendly meals at reasonable rates:

Chopstix, 75 Midsummer Place, MK9 3GA, 01908557000

 

Takeaway noodle bar and café offering a selection of hot Chinese-style dishes, all prepared using authentic noodles and fresh ingredients.
 

SUBWAY at MK Hub, 01908 231548

 

Whatever you're in the mood for, SUBWAY stores have a huge range of Subs, wraps, salads, treats and drinks to choose from. Subs are made fresh in front of you, exactly the way you want it on the bread of your choice. You choose the salad and sauce you like too.
 

Pret a Manger 67 Midsummer Place, MK9 3GB, 0207 9325 306

Fresh food to eat in or takeaway: from sandwiches, soups, pies and salads to wraps, sushi, noodles and a selection of hot and cold drinks.

Ed's Outside Diner, 5 Midsummer Place, MK9 3GB, 01908 661 893

 

American classics: from burgers to hotdogs to pancakes and eggs. Ed's Diner provides an array of high calorie comfort food as well as salads and snacks for every apetite.