What's the Big Deal About Big Data?

In the beginning there was just raw data. rows and columns of numbers in strict, structured, disciplined formats generated by a variety of transactional and operational business systems. The volume - while quite large - was still manageable. And it was good. Well, good enough at least.Then, the “content dam” burst. The massive volume of unstructured text, emails, messages and tweets we're all creating is matched only by the variety of formats in which that content is now created and delivered. It's not about text either; there are now unexpected, unimagined types of information... location data from mobile devices, social content, "status updates," for heaven's sake.Looking back at it now, it was only a matter of time before the need to create a fusion of business data and social input, in all its forms, would become a crucial requirement. And, more to the point, how would we finally come to learn how to derive business value from the immense volume and variety of content coming at us left, right and center?Welcome to the era of Big Data. In this hour-long roundtable, we will examine the many implications that this growing merger of large data stores with mixed-variety content collections represents. It is a new, exciting and perplexing challenge to business managers and IT professionals alike. But it's time to learn.