"There's been a lot of wrangling of data, a lot of wrangling of humans as well, which is a big theme for today," says Warwick Leitch, Product Management Director at insightsoftware.

In this episode of the 'Don't Panic, It's Just Data' podcast, Debbie Reynolds, CEO and Chief Data Privacy Officer at Debbie Reynolds Consulting LLC, speaks with Leitch from insightsoftware. They discuss the vital role of financial strategy and collaborative planning, particularly as it pertains to the decisions made by IT executives.

The question they address is: In a world awash with data, how do we transform it into actionable insights? Warwick shares his wealth of experience, offering practical advice and illuminating the path to successful budgeting and forecasting.

One such challenge addressed in the podcast is how organisations are securing executive buy-in. "And 51 percent of people find it difficult to engage senior executives to buy into the process, which is a roadblock. And 57 percent of organisations struggle cross-functionally," Warwick reveals. 

It's not just about the numbers. Warwick also emphasises the human element, reminding us that "Without people, we don't have anything." In an era where AI looms large, it's crucial to remember that technology serves to enhance, not replace, human collaboration.

Tune in to the podcast and learn how to navigate the complexities of financial strategy and collaborative planning.

Takeaways

• Executive buy-in is crucial for successful budgeting.
• A clear vision helps guide the budgeting process.
• Thoughtful execution is key to effective planning.
• Fostering a culture of collaboration enhances participation.
• Data accuracy is vital in today's fast-paced environment.
• Avoid overcomplicating the budgeting process.
• Gamification can improve engagement in budgeting.
• AI can significantly streamline forecasting and reporting.
• Regularly updating forecasts leads to better accuracy.
• Understanding business measures is essential for effective planning.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Collaborative Financial Planning

05:01 The Importance of Executive Buy-In

10:09 Thoughtful Execution in Budgeting

15:01 Fostering a Culture of Collaboration

19:48 Defining Business Measures and Data Accuracy

24:52 Common Pitfalls in Collaborative Budgeting

29:52 The Future of Collaborative Planning with AI

The digital age is fueled by data, and the engines powering that data are data centres. However, this growth comes at a significant energy cost. In the latest episode of the EM360Tech Don’t Panic It’s Just Data podcast, Shubhangi Dua speaks with Rolf Bienert, Technical & Managing Director of the OpenADR Alliance, to shed light on the urgent need for sustainable energy practices within the data centres industry. 

In this episode, we discuss the stark reality of escalating energy consumption, driven by factors like the rise of AI, and the critical importance of moving beyond superficial "green" initiatives to implement genuine, impactful solutions.

From talking about the historical context of data centres energy usage, the evolution of energy demands and the challenges of achieving net-zero goals, Rolf provides valuable insights into innovative solutions such as smart grids, microgrids, and virtual power plants. These hold immense potential for managing energy distribution efficiently and sustainably. 

Beyond technological solutions, the podcast addresses the critical role of regulatory frameworks and industry standards in fostering sustainable practices. The frameworks are necessary to adapt to modern energy consumption patterns, ensuring interoperability and reducing costs. It spotlights the importance of collaboration between IT and utility sectors, as well as open communication with the public, to address concerns about energy consumption and build trust. 

Takeaways

• Data centres are increasingly becoming significant consumers of energy.
• Sustainability in data centre is often perceived as branding rather than genuine effort.
• AI's demand for processing power is escalating energy needs.
• Smart grids are essential for managing energy distribution effectively.
• Microgrids and virtual power plants offer promising solutions for energy sustainability.
• Enterprises can leverage renewable energy to become energy providers.
• Regulatory frameworks need to adapt to modern energy consumption patterns.
• Standards are crucial for ensuring interoperability and reducing costs.
• Collaboration between IT and utility sectors is vital for sustainable energy management.
• Open communication is key to addressing public concerns about energy consumption.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Data Centres Sustainability

03:22 Historical Perspective on Data centres Energy Consumption

08:32 The Role of Smart Grids in Energy Management

12:40 Understanding Microgrids and Virtual Power Plants

21:30 Enterprise Strategies for Sustainable Data Centres

29:51 Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

32:34 The Importance of Standards in Data Centres Growth

In this episode, Rachel Thornton, Fivetran's CMO, discusses the highlights of Big Data London 2024, including the launch of Fivetran Hybrid Deployment, which addresses the needs of organisations with mixed IT environments.

The conversation delves into integrating AI into business operations, emphasizing the importance of a robust data foundation. Additionally, data security and compliance challenges in the context of GDPR and other regulations are explored. The episode concludes with insights on the benefits of hybrid deployment for organisations.

Key Takeaways: 

• Big Data London 2024 is a significant event for data leaders.
• Fivetran Hybrid Deployment caters to organizations with mixed IT environments.
• AI integration requires a strong data foundation.
• Data security and compliance are critical in today's landscape.
• Organizations must understand their data sources for effective AI use.
• Hybrid deployment allows for secure data management.
• Compliance regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. 
• Data readiness is essential for AI integration.

Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction to Big Data London 2024

02:46 - Launch of Fibntran Hybrid Deployment

06:06 - Integrating AI into Business Operations

08:54 - Data Security and Compliance Challenges

11:50 - Benefits of Hybrid Deployment

Episode 4 of our 12 part series with Cloudera.

In this podcast, Simon Elliston Ball, Director Product Management, Streaming Analytics, and Cyber ML at Cloudera explain why real-time streaming has become so important. Simon starts by talking about the role real-time data streaming plays in encouraging digitally driven innovation. Also, he explains the types of data structures organisations need as well as how this differs from traditional data practices. Finally, Simon discusses the potential that ML brings to real-time data streaming and the considerations for compliance and governance.

Next week's episode: Cloud Native Data Warehouse

Make sure you're subscribed so that you don't miss an episode of this fantastic series.

Episode 3 is here as part of our 12 part series with Cloudera.

In this podcast, Jan Kunigk, CTO EMEA, shares his architectural knowledge of hybrid and multi-cloud deployments for data and analytics. Jan starts by talking about the considerations needed when making the choice between hybrid and multi-cloud. Also, he explains the different architecture and deployment styles for both options. Further to this, he outlines the cost difference and what analytic opportunities they present. Finally, Jan discusses the role CEOs should play in making cloud decisions and how involved they should be in the process.

Next week's episode: Data in Overdrive

Make sure you're subscribed so that you don't miss an episode of this fantastic series.

It's episode 2 of this fantastic 12 part series with Cloudera.

In this podcast, Scott Taylor speaks to Abhas Ricky, Managing Director, Global Head – Strategy & Transformation at Cloudera. Abhas starts by talking about why people implement the cloud and how enterprises can have a better understanding of the costs involved. Secondly, he explains how organisations should define their total cost of ownership model. Also, Abhas explains how ephemeral workloads can be beneficial and the differences between analytical and operational workloads. Finally, he outlines where the complications and nuances come in around the cost of data and analytics.

Next week's episode: Critical Technology Decisions for Cloud

Make sure you're subscribed so that you don't miss an episode of this fantastic series.

Welcome to season 5! This new and exciting series from Cloudera will take us on a journey across all things cloud and data over the next 12 weeks.

In this podcast, Scott Taylor speaks to Paul Mackay, EMEA Cloud Lead at Cloudera. Firstly, Paul outlines what an enterprise data cloud is and how to assess the need for a cloud initiative effectively. Next, he details how organisations make the right choices to leverage cloud correctly and the data management implications. Finally, Paul explains the importance of enterprise-class security and governance.

Next week's episode: Optimise the Cost of Data and Analytics with Hybrid Cloud

Make sure you're subscribed so that you don't miss an episode of this fantastic series.

Hybrid working has become a common talking point of many organisations in the last year as the increase of remote working has transformed several industries. As one might expect, a change in our work culture drastically changes the demands of our workers, meaning that more skilled professionals are required to handle independent working. The problem is that in its current state, the UK is underprepared for this paradigm shift; according to Coursera's Global Skills Report, the UK has the lowest proficiency for business skills in Europe, ranking only at a 29% proficiency. 

There is hope for the UK yet; since the pandemic, 24% more women and 32% more unemployed people have enrolled for STEM courses in the UK. This would help to fix the gender gap in STEM, a current concern for many businesses, and it will also help to increase our number of skilled professionals that can perform in the private sector.

In this Data Transforming Business podcast, EM360 Head of Content Max Kurton speaks to Anthony Tattersall, VP of EMA at Coursera. Throughout the discussion, Anthony guides us through some of the most popular courses in the UK, the business skills that are trending the most in the UK and the action needed to help fix the skills gaps within enterprise technology.

While organisations are gradually becoming more data-driven, there are still organisations that rely solely on instinct. According to Talend's 2021 Data Health Survey, a whopping 36% of executives are still making gut based decisions, a method which has proved time and time again to be both inefficient and unpredictable. One of the contributing factors to gut based decision making is a lack of trust in data. Data quality varies from industry to industry but within single organisations, it can also vary from person to person. In fact, 38% of data users state that there are no data quality standards in place in their organisation, so why would executives trust data to make decisions?

The key to becoming data-driven means ensuring that everyone, from the data-producer to the data-user, is involved in the data lifecycle. This means decentralising data processes to ensure that every member of the team both has a transparent understanding of how data is being used but also feels equally involved in the process. In this episode of Data Transforming Business, we speak to Antony Elliott, Regional VP of Enterprise Sales for EMEA North, Talend about the best ways to maintain healthy data in data-driven organisations.

While it has taken the lead position in infrastructure management, managing data on Kubernetes is a complex subject for many in the industry. Matching users expectations for container-orchestration systems against the needs they have for their databases have unveiled a multitude of unexpected issues.

In recent years, storing data within Kubernetes has become more and more common. However, users are still experiencing the same issues. In this new episode of Data Transforming Business, we speak to Datastax’s VP of Developer Relations Patrick McFadin about solving the problems affiliated with data on Kubernetes and what you need to do in order to have a secure database.

As businesses endeavour to effectively action their data, business intelligence (BI) software and analytics operating systems have become all the more important and cherished. Not only do BI software fulfil their purpose of helping companies attain useful business insights, but they can also support flexibility and strengthen governance.

Joining Ronald van Loon and EM360 to lend his BI expertise is Ian Macdonald, Principal Technologist at Pyramid Analytics. Firstly, Ian gives a comprehensive introduction to analytics operating systems, before giving an overview of the BI market. He also delves into the improved work capabilities that BI provides to businesses, how BI can improve remote work experiences for employees, and how it helps employees achieve unique goals within their individual roles.

Furthermore, Ian outlines the challenges businesses face when creating analytics environments within their organisation. He also advises on the technologies and organisational processes needed to successfully implement analytics.

When an organisation talks about data integration, there are a lot of hurdles to overcome. To achieve results they need to make sure their data is of high quality, organised and formatted. However, this is easier said than done as data engineers are trying to extract data from an ever-changing source. With cloud-based applications and siloed data, it raises a lot of questions as to how to achieve a unified view and gain insightful analytics.

In this podcast, Ronald van Loon speaks to Mark Maxwell, Head of UKI Strategic Sales at Fivetran. Firstly, Mark outlines why an organisation should incorporate data integration into their analytic strategy. Then he explains what key decisions are needed for data warehousing and their workloads and analytics processes. Also, Mark demonstrates what a typical automated data integration process involves when an organisation is starting this journey. Finally, he looks at how this solution can help teams focus on analytics over ETL.

Data pipelines are becoming a quintessential part of every organisation that is wanting to be data fluent. This means DataOps is becoming increasingly more important in this process as it is used by analytic and data teams, to improve quality and reduce the cycle time of data analytics. However, now organisations are facing unprecedented challenges with current events and widespread lockdown. It's important to understand how to guide DataOps teams through these rapid changes and uncertainties so that data can remain functional.

In this podcast, Ronald van Loon speaks to Suki Dhuphar, EMEA Field Engineering Lead at Tamr. Firstly, Suki outlines the challenges that DataOps teams face with remote work and how to overcome these challenges. Then he explains how DataOps teams streamline their data engineering processes once they're equipped with the right tools. Also, Suki explains how a remote work environment impacts an organisations data pipeline and creating a culture that is adaptable. Finally, he explains the best practices needed to help increase data and analytics efficiency for transitioning processes.

Managing network traffic efficiently is essential to control cloud costs. Network flow

reports are critical in providing detailed insights into data movement across cloud

environments. These reports help organisations identify usage patterns, track

bandwidth consumption, and uncover inefficiencies that may lead to higher expenses.

With a clear understanding of how data flows, businesses can make informed decisions

to optimise traffic, reduce unnecessary data transfers, and allocate resources more

effectively. This helps lower cloud costs, improves network performance, and enhances

security by revealing unusual or potentially harmful traffic patterns.

In this episode, Wayne Eckerson from Eckerson Group speaks to Ben Schaechter,

CEO of Vantage, about optimising network traffic costs with Vantage’s Network Flow

Reports.

Key Takeaways:

● Network Flow Reports provide detailed insights into AWS costs.

● They help identify specific resources driving network traffic costs.

● Organisations can reduce costs by up to 90% with proper configuration.

● The shift towards cost management in cloud services is critical.

● FinOps teams are becoming essential for cloud cost optimization.

● Anomaly detection can alert teams to unexpected cost spikes.

● Vantage integrates with multiple cloud providers for comprehensive cost

management.

● Effective cost management does not have to impact production workflows.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Vantage and Network Flow Reports

02:52 - Understanding Network Flow Reports and Their Impact

06:09 - Real-World Applications and Case Studies

09:03 - The Shift in Cost Management Focus

11:54 - Tangible Benefits of Implementing Network Flow Reports

15:07 - The Role of FinOps in Cost Optimization

18:00 - Conclusion and Future Insights

For organisations of any size, data management is key and data virtualisation is the next logical step in making that a reality. The role that data virtualisation plays within data management is to bridge the gap between IT and the business. This allows the combination of data in real-time and allows for true business transformation, so that the data is available to everybody while keeping it secure, allowing users or other applications to gain the access and insights they need.

In this podcast, Ronald van Loon speaks to Paul Moxon, Senior SVP of Data Architecture & Chief Evangelist, Charles Southwood, Regional VP – Northern Europe & MEA at Denodo and Sylvain Dutilh – Principal BI Administrator at Landsbankinn. They discuss the vital role data virtualisation plays in modern data management and accelerating digital transformation strategies. Also, how this promotes a culture of data democratisation across an organisation. Next, they explore some interesting case studies and also discuss why data fabric is a key resource in improving exploration and discovery. Finally, they look at typical data virtualisation deployment scenarios and the next steps within the context of an organisation’s data journey.

Organisations who are in the early stages of data analytic maturity struggle with poor data quality, inconsistent processes and lack of co-ordination across their organisation. Also, those organisations with low BI maturity don’t have formal governance programs in place at all. These low maturity organisations often have BI platforms that are more traditional and reporting centric. In this podcast, Ronald van Loon speaks to Ed Thompson, CTO at Matillion about how an organisation can achieve data and analytics maturity.

Firstly, Ed outlines a typical customer experience and how you define data milestone along with the tools needed to start a data journey. Then he explains the challenges of data integration and how businesses maintain data governance over such large amounts of data. Finally, we learn about suitable cloud strategies as well as how to prepare teams to be ready for data, analytics and machine learning.

Across organisations, we see a drive for next-generation systems as organisations require more scalability and flexibility. With these demands comes the need for a change in architecture so that businesses can help develop the next generation of systems and move from traditional relational databases to NoSQL databases. In this podcast, Ronald van Loon speaks to Dr Mohammed Haji, Manager - EMEA North Solutions Engineering at Couchbase and Mritunjay Singh, Principal Solution Architect at BT to understand how NoSQL can transform enterprise application.

Firstly, they discuss NoSQL integration for supporting cloud-native applications, and the key role NoSQL plays in new stack technology. Then they consider how enterprise are using NoSQL to improve data performance and using it to support emerging trends. Also, Mritunjay and Mohammed review how data is categorised compared to SQL and the effect this has on scaling. Finally, they explore what organisations need to focus on when adopting a NoSQL solution to optimise the end result.

All businesses understand that there is real value in data and that it is a strategic asset for all organisations. However, a lot of companies are still struggling to rapidly unlock this value due to a lack of resources and time. In order to capitalise on this, organisations need to have a solid data warehousing solution in place. In this podcast Ronald van Loon speaks with Weelin Lim, Chief Product Officer at TrueCue and Pratim Das, Head of Solutions Architecture, Data and AI at Microsoft to understand the strategic power of data warehousing and people analytics.

Firstly, they address the business challenges that end to end data warehousing, and people analytics can address. Then, Weelin and Pratim discuss what's needed from an organisational, technological, cultural, and team perspective when adopting these solutions and who the SaaS end-to-end data warehousing solution is right for. They also explore the steps organisations need to take to meet the demands of evolving analytics environments and to put a people analytics strategy into practice. Finally, Weelin and Pratim discuss the short term and long term business impact of an end-to-end data warehousing strategy and offer their advice for organisations looking to implement this and a people analytics solution.

Data has become a valuable asset for businesses in every industry. In particular, it enables organisations to fine-tune their strategies, deliver better customer experience, and much more. As a result, cloud has become increasingly commonplace within enterprise environments. Simultaneously, Internet of Things (IoT) has also grown in popularity and will continue to do so as our future becomes increasingly connected.

In light of this, Ronald van Loon, Director at Adversitement, speaks with Hannu Valtonen, VP Product & Co-founder at Aiven, to explore real-time data's role in application development in the cloud. Firstly, Hannu delves into how companies use data in store and in operation for a competitive advantage. He then goes onto outline how organisations can use this to deliver a better customer experience.

Robotic process automation (RPA) has gained significant traction within the last year. However, despite having secured a place in the market, RPA is still fairly new. In light of this, Ronald van Loon speaks with Rob Hughes, VP – Head of Marketing EU at Automation Anywhere to find out more about this exciting technology.

Firstly, Rob defines RPA and what makes it such a hot topic today. In particular, he addresses the confusion between artificial intelligence (AI) and RPA and outlines AI's role in the RPA realm. Then, Rob explores what is driving the increasing popularity of RPA and demonstrates the use cases for it across various industries. Finally, he discusses the challenges associated with RPA implementation and how to deploy it successfully.

Augmented intelligence is driving the well-overdue reevaluation of data models. Michel Morvan at Cosmo Tech and Robert Plana at Assystem join us on this podcast to talk with us about augmented intelligence, as well as Cosmo Tech’s role in it. 

A recent 451 Research survey of enterprise users showed that 84% found at least some of their strategic decisions at their organisations are data-driven. Further to this, the survey found that data is becoming increasingly important to organisations. So, how should companies be acting on their data? Here to lend his expertise on the matter is John Walls at Looker. John shares his thoughts on the opportunities related to self-service analytics and how to deliver the benefits without compromising governance or unified metrics.

Advanced analytics are powering today's decision making and operational efficiency. Today’s organisations can now take advantage of real-time decision making with thanks to newer technologies. However, does this guarantee quality? Joining us in this episode to discuss how to manage the quality of real-time data is Syncsort’s Aisan Baird.

Big data, IoT, and cloud are just three technologies that encourage businesses to become more data-driven. More and more organisations are recognising the benefits of leveraging data for strategic advantage. However, this boom in data has uncovered an IT skills gap, leaving business-centric staff trying their hand at filling it. Fortunately, the tools available today are easy to use, taking some of the burden off. Chris Maddox at Paxata and Jean-Luc Chatelain at Accenture, a key partner of Paxata, join us to talk about these tools.

Safe Software’s FME is transforming Omaha’s approach to urban mobility with groundbreaking solutions for asset management, e-scooter tracking, and parking management. 

FME’s robust data integration capabilities are at the core of Omaha’s advancements. The data integration platform enables real-time tracking of e-scooters, offering precise data on their locations and usage patterns. This innovation enhances the management and accessibility of e-scooters, making urban mobility more efficient and user-friendly.

Automated parking management processes, facilitated by FME, streamline city operations and reduce manual efforts. This automation leads to smoother parking experiences for residents and visitors, while dynamic rate adjustments, powered by FME, ensure that parking fees are responsive to real-time demand, optimising availability and revenue.

In this episode, Wayne Eckerson from Eckerson Group speaks to Jacob Larson, an Applications Analyst from the City of Omaha, to discuss Omaha’s usage of FME. 

Key Takeaways:

• FME helps automate the tracking of e-scooters in real time.
• Data sharing agreements with providers like Lime enhance tracking capabilities.
• Omaha's parking management has been transformed through automation.
• FME allows for dynamic changes in parking rates based on events.
• The integration of GIS data with third-party APIs is crucial for parking management.
• Omaha is pioneering a real-time parking information system in the US.

Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction to Omaha's Data Initiatives

01:03 - FME's Role in Asset Management

04:53 - Real-Time Tracking of E-Scooters

07:48 - Automating Parking Management

10:06 - Innovations in Parking Availability

12:59 - Dynamic Parking Rate Management

The promise of the public cloud has instead paved the way for inconvenient costs. This is a result of applications becoming more refined, leaving companies wondering where to deploy them. Does this mean that private cloud is the way forward? Joining us in this episode to talk public versus private is JR Rivers, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Cumulus Networks.

Today’s business intelligence groups can take advantage of Octopai’s automated centralised cross-platform metadata search engine. This allows such groups to quickly discover and also govern shared metadata. While metadata management is nothing new, new methodologies are transforming the effect it can have on business success. Joining us in this episode to talk about Octopai’s platform and optimising metadata is Amnon Drori, CEO and Co-Founder of the company.

Organisations are turning to business intelligence (BI) and data analytics to give their strategy a competitive edge. This is especially so in an age of digital transformation. At hand to lend their expertise on the matter are Yellowfin’s Glen Rabie and TreeHive Strategy’s Donald Farmer.

Data visualisation is increasing in popularity as companies move towards making intelligent data-driven decisions. Analytics providers are recognising this and, as a result, are offering innovative ways to visualise insights. Joining us on this podcast today is Jimmie Lenz, Principal at The Financial Risk Group, to demonstrate how SAS are moving to the forefront of data visualisation.

Today’s episode explores the ways that AI is reshaping how organisations do business in this digital economy. In particular, the discussion focuses on what it means for the future and the million dollar question: will AI replace human beings? Spencer Doyle, Chief Business Developer at Noodle.ai, joins us to give his perspective on AI in the industry.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Globally, companies have been redressing themselves as more data-driven, or as data companies. This is due to data becoming widely acknowledged to drive innovation today. One company that has embraced this is Deutsche Telekom. Notably, the company launched a data intelligence hub that became the first marketplace offering secure data exchange for business customers and AI. In this episode, Sven Löffler at Deutsche Telekom and Chris Darvill at Cloudera discuss the innovative platform.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Kickstarting our third series of Data Transforming Business, EM360’s David Argent met with Nick Curcuru, formerly at Mastercard, and Matt Maccaux, formerly at Dell EMC, to talk big data. In this episode, our speakers go back to basics, starting by exploring where the term ‘big data’ came from. As well as this, they strip back any confusion surrounding big data and tell us what it means fundamentally.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Most organisations today rely on ERP systems to manage their complex business processes, but are often frustrated in integrating these systems due to their technical complexity. Sage provides a unique solution that provides a robust ERP systems with a strong focus on business insights and analytics. A prime focus of the solution is to unlock the business value of ERP systems by analysing the valuable data from these systems, and integrating them with other key data sources such as data warehouses and data lakes. Join David Rawling from Sage and Donna Burbank from Global Data Strategy as they discuss how to unlock business insights from ERP systems using Sage’s unique approach.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Self-service business intelligence (BI) is a growing trend as more and more business users want to be in greater control of their own reporting and analytics. Business users are often frustrated, however, when faced with the underlying complexities of the data structures and interrelationships between data sources. ERP systems are notoriously complex in terms of their underlying data structures, given the vast amount of tables and undecipherable data structures & business context. Given the fact that the majority of businesses today run on ERP systems, much of the data that’s most critical to the business resides in these systems. Is there a way to navigate the complexity of these systems, or is unlocking the data in these systems an unachievable goal? Join Garth Laird from Zap and Donna Burbank from Global Data Strategy as they discuss practical steps to achieving a successful self-service BI program for ERP systems.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Lagan Group Holdings is a leader in the construction and asset management space, and a key part of their strategy is to become more data-driven, using data for strategic advantage. A challenge, however, is that data is scattered in a number of systems—from billing to procurement to payroll, making it difficult to create a single view of key data assets. Lagan has overcome these challenges, and have implemented a self-service business intelligence & reporting to gain data-driven insights. Join Jim Fennell from Lagan Group and Donna Burbank from Global Data Strategy as they discuss the challenges and benefits of using self-service BI to become a data-driven organisation.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Safe Software’s FME is transforming Omaha’s approach to urban mobility with groundbreaking solutions for asset management, e-scooter tracking, and parking management. 

FME’s robust data integration capabilities are at the core of Omaha’s advancements. The data integration platform enables real-time tracking of e-scooters, offering precise data on their locations and usage patterns. This innovation enhances the management and accessibility of e-scooters, making urban mobility more efficient and user-friendly.

Automated parking management processes, facilitated by FME, streamline city operations and reduce manual efforts. This automation leads to smoother parking experiences for residents and visitors, while dynamic rate adjustments, powered by FME, ensure that parking fees are responsive to real-time demand, optimising availability and revenue.

In this episode, Wayne Eckerson from Eckerson Group speaks to Jacob Larson, an Applications Analyst from the City of Omaha, to discuss Omaha’s usage of FME. 

Key Takeaways:

• FME helps automate the tracking of e-scooters in real time.
• Data sharing agreements with providers like Lime enhance tracking capabilities.
• Omaha's parking management has been transformed through automation.
• FME allows for dynamic changes in parking rates based on events.
• The integration of GIS data with third-party APIs is crucial for parking management.
• Omaha is pioneering a real-time parking information system in the US.

Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction to Omaha's Data Initiatives

01:03 - FME's Role in Asset Management

04:53 - Real-Time Tracking of E-Scooters

07:48 - Automating Parking Management

10:06 - Innovations in Parking Availability

12:59 - Dynamic Parking Rate Management

In the fifth and final episode of the first series, Donna Burbank is joined by the Vice President of Global Big Data Consulting at Mastercard and a representative from Dell EMC. This episode explores how the digital economy is changing the way organisations do business around the world to such an unprecedented scale that it is now being called the next industrial revolution. There are plenty of tips on how to protect your most important asset - information! Whether you are a Chief Data Officer looking to understand what new technologies and methodologies are available or a businessperson trying to understand how to protect information, listen to this educational podcast to support your business transformation initiatives.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

In the fourth episode of the series, Donna Burbank chairs a panel consisting of the CTO from DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team and also representatives from HPE and Cloudera. They discuss how new business models are emerging as data-driven technology provides opportunity for change. The also look at whether the CDO, traditionally a ‘back office’ role is now one of the most important roles within an organisation. Whether you are a Chief Data Officer looking to understand what new technologies and methodologies are available or a businessperson trying to understand the challenges, listen to this educational podcast to discover how important data can be to support your business transformation initiatives.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

This is the third episode of the series and Donna Burbank is joined by Erwin, Sandhill Consulting and Swisscom. The panel discuss innovative ways to increase revenue and reduce costs using data-driven digital technologies. Whether you are a Chief Data Officer looking to understand what new technologies and methodologies are available or a businessperson trying to understand the challenges around data quality, listen to this educational podcast to discover how data modelling can support your business transformation initiatives.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

This is the second episode of the series and here Donna Burbank is joined by representatives of Syncsort and Hortonworks. The panel discuss whether Hadoop augments the data warehouse or replaces it and conclude by looking at how business users and IT can work together in these ecosystems in the future. Whether you are a Chief Data Officer looking to understand what new technologies and methodologies are available or a businessperson trying to understand the challenges around data quality, listen to this educational podcast to discover how data quality and data governance can support your business transformation initiatives.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

For the first episode Donna Burbank is joined by representatives of Barclays, Collibra and Trillium Software to discuss the ways organisations think about innovation and growth. The panel discuss how accurate, relevant and timely data is the key to success. Whether you are a Chief Data Officer looking to understand what new technologies and methodologies are available or a businessperson trying to understand the challenges around data quality, listen to this educational podcast to discover how data quality and data governance can support your business transformation initiatives.

For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Open source technologies are transforming how businesses manage real-time data on cloud platforms. By leveraging flexible, scalable, and cost-effective open-source tools, organisations can process and analyse large volumes of data with speed and precision. These technologies offer unmatched transparency, customisation, and community-driven innovation, making them ideal for real-time monitoring, analytics, and IoT applications.

As data demands grow, open-source solutions ensure that businesses stay agile, reduce vendor lock-in, and maintain full control over their cloud infrastructure. The result? Faster insights, smarter decision-making, and enhanced performance—all powered by open source. 

In this episode, Paulina Rios Maya, Head of Industry Relations at EM360Tech, speaks to Mikhail Epikhin, Chief Technology Officer at Double Cloud, about The Power of Open Source in Cloud Platforms. 

Key Takeaways:

• Open-source technologies provide standard building blocks for products.
• Community-driven innovation is essential for the evolution of technology.
• Flexibility in data infrastructure is crucial for real-time processing.
• Observability and monitoring are vital for performance optimisation.
• Managed services can accelerate product development and feature implementation.

Chapters:

00:00 - The Power of Open Source in Cloud Platforms

05:24 - Apache Airflow: Enhancing Real-Time Data Management

10:08 - Balancing Open Source and Managed Services

13:57 - Best Practices for Scalability and Performance

Big Data LDN 2024, the UK’s leading data, analytics, and AI event, is less than a week away – promising two days filled with ground-breaking stories, expert insights, and endless innovation.

Taking place at the Kensington Olympia in London on September 18-19, this year’s event features fifteen theatres and over 300 expert speakers sharing insights on some of the industry’s hottest topics – from generative AI to data analytics and privacy. 

With the event less than a week away, EM360Tech’s Head of Podcast Production, Paulina Rios Maya, grabbed Big Data LDN’s Event Director, Andy Steed, for a chat about his expectations for this year’s event and its growing importance in the data world.

In the episode, they discuss: 

• The exciting themes or breakthroughs attendees can expect to see showcased this year
• How Big Data London remains relevant in such a rapidly evolving field
• The unique networking opportunities or interactive experiences attendees have at the conference
• The standout sessions or keynote speakers at the conference

00:00: Introduction to Big Data LDN 2024

01:35: Showcasing Data Stories, Transformations, and Challenges

02:33: The Networking Opportunities with Industry Leaders and Peers at Big Data LDN 2024

05:01: Staying Relevant with a Focus on Generative AI and Real-World Use Cases

06:55:The Importance of Data Events for Community Building and Learning

Big Data London is the UK's largest data and analytics event, attracting over 16,500 visitors each year. Taking place at the Olympia in London on September 18-19, this year’s event features fifteen theatres and over 300 expert speakers across the two-day conference. 

Attendees can meet face-to-face with tech providers and consultants to find solutions to your data challenges and view the latest product releases and software demos to enhance your business' data capabilities.

It’s also a great opportunity for attendees to strengthen their business network with new and existing partners, and immerse themselves within the data community and network with speakers, colleagues and practicioners all in 2 days at Big Data LDN.

Sustainable sourcing is essential for businesses committed to environmental and social responsibility, but achieving it requires accurate and reliable data. Master Data Management (MDM) ensures that all sourcing data—such as supplier information, certifications, and compliance records—is consistent and up-to-date. This enables organisations to make informed decisions that align with their sustainability goals, reduce waste, and promote ethical practices throughout their supply chain.

MDM is the foundation of a successful sustainability strategy. By providing a single source of truth for all critical data, MDM helps businesses monitor and track their sustainability efforts effectively. With accurate data, companies can identify opportunities to improve resource efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and ensure compliance with environmental standards, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and resilient business model.

In this episode, George Firican, Founder of LightsOnData, speaks to Matthew Cawsey, Director of Product Marketing and Solution Strategy, and Paarijat Bose, Customer Success Manager at Stibo Systems, to discuss sustainable sourcing and why accurate data matters. 

Key Takeaways:

• Sustainable sourcing involves understanding the provenance and environmental impact of products, ensuring compliance with regulations, and meeting sustainability goals.
• Data completeness and accuracy are crucial in meeting regulatory requirements and avoiding issues like greenwashing.
• Managing sustainability data requires a solid foundation of MDM to ensure data accuracy, stewardship, and semantic consistency.
• MDM solutions help companies collect, manage, and share sustainability data, enabling them to meet compliance requirements and achieve their sustainability goals.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and Overview

01:07 - The Challenge of Collecting Data for Compliance and Reporting

02:31 - Data Accuracy and Completeness in the Supply Chain

05:23 - Regulations and the Demand for Transparent and Complete Data

08:41 - The Role of Master Data Management in Sustainability

15:51 - How Data Management Technology Solutions Help Achieve Sustainability Goals

21:02 - The Need to Start Early and Engage with Data Management Solutions

22:01 - Conclusion and Call to Action

Data provenance is essential for maintaining trust and integrity in data management. It involves tracking the origin of data and understanding how it has been processed and handled over time. By focusing on fundamental principles such as identity, timestamps, and the content of the data, organisations can ensure that their data remains accurate, consistent, and reliable.

Implementing data provenance does not require significant changes or large investments. Existing technologies and techniques can be seamlessly integrated to provide greater transparency and control over data. With data provenance, businesses can confidently manage their data, enhancing decision-making and fostering stakeholder trust.

In this episode, Jon Geater, Co-Chair of the Supply Chain Integrity Transparency and Trust (SCITT) Working Group, speaks to Paulina Rios Maya, Head of Industry Relations, about data provenance. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Data provenance is knowing where data comes from and how it has been handled, ensuring trust and integrity.
• The fundamental principles of data provenance include identity, timestamps, and the content of the data.
• Data provenance can be implemented by integrating existing technologies and techniques without significant changes or investments.
• Data provenance helps with compliance, such as GDPR, by providing a transparent record of data handling and demonstrating compliance with requests.

Chapters: 

00:00 - Introduction and Background

02:01 - Understanding Data Provenance

05:47 - Implementing Data Provenance

10:01 - Data Provenance and Compliance

13:50 - Success Stories and Industry Applications

18:10 - Conclusion and Call to Action

FME is a vital tool in disaster management and response. It enables the integration and transformation of geospatial data for real-time tracking of disasters and hazards. By ensuring accurate and timely data analysis, it provides essential decision support for disaster management professionals.

During the Maui wildfires, FME and the Pacific Disaster Centre were crucial in managing and analysing critical data, allowing for effective coordination and response. By facilitating seamless data sharing and collaboration among stakeholders, FME helps ensure that the correct information reaches the right people at the right time.

In this episode of the EM360 Podcast, Alejandro Leal, an Analyst at KuppingerCole, speaks to Jorma Rodieck, a GIS Specialist at the Pacific Disaster Centre, about the importance of FME. 

Key Takeaways:

• FME is an essential tool in disaster management and response, allowing for the integration and transformation of geospatial data.
• FME enables real-time data analysis and decision support for disaster management professionals.
• During the Maui wildfires, FME was instrumental in managing and analyzing critical data, providing a common operating picture for response efforts.
• FME ensures effective data sharing and collaboration among various stakeholders, enabling smooth interoperability between departments and agencies.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and Background

02:35 - The Role of FME in Disaster Management

06:44 - Managing and Analyzing Critical Data with FME

10:34 - FME's Impact during the Maui Wildfires

11:59 - Ensuring Effective Data Sharing and Collaboration

15:20 - The Future of FME in the Pacific Disaster Center

18:15 - Conclusion

Open source real-time analytics offers unparalleled advantages, providing businesses with freedom and independence to maintain operations seamlessly, even if a vendor issue arises. However, the journey isn't without its challenges. Open source solutions can often be clunky and require specialised expertise to manage effectively. 

This is where DoubleCloud comes in, offering a managed platform that addresses these obstacles by handling crucial responsibilities such as backups, high availability, and security updates, allowing businesses to focus on leveraging their data.

In this podcast, Christina Stathopoulos speaks to Vladimir Borodin, Co-Founder and CEO of DoubleCloud, about open source strategies and the advantages of the DoubleCloud solution.  

Key Takeaways:

• DoubleCloud's managed platform helps overcome the challenges of open source, such as clunkiness and a lack of expertise.
• Successful customer use cases demonstrate the performance and cost benefits of DoubleCloud's solution.
• The transition phase to DoubleCloud's solution depends on the complexity of the application.
• Using open source whenever possible is recommended.

00:00 - Introduction and Background

02:29 - The Advantages of Open Source

04:21 - Challenges of Open Source

06:47 - The Power of Real-Time Analytics

09:11 - Success Stories: Improved Performance and Reduced Costs

12:54 - Navigating the Transition to DoubleCloud's Solution

15:14 - The Importance of Using Open Source

As organisations strive to stay competitive in the age of AI, data trust has become a critical factor for success. Without it, even the most advanced AI initiatives are bound to fall short.

With the rapid advancement of technology, prioritising trust in data is essential for unlocking AI's full potential and driving meaningful results. Conversely, a lack of data trust can undermine decision-making, operational efficiency, and the success of AI initiatives.

In this episode, Christina Stathopoulos, Founder at Dare to Data, speaks to Jay Limburn, Chief Product Officer at Ataccama, to explore these pressing topics. Together, they share actionable insights, real-world examples, and innovative strategies to help businesses harness the power of trusted data.

Key Takeaways

• Data trust is essential for confident decision-making.
• AI can significantly reduce mundane tasks.
• Organizations must focus on their data strategy.
• Customer experience is a key area for AI application.
• Data teams are crucial for successful AI initiatives.
• Proactive data management is becoming the norm.
• The chief data officer's influence is growing.
• Data quality and security are critical challenges.
• AI can enhance regulatory reporting processes.
• Trust in data is vital for successful AI projects.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Data Trust and AI Integration

09:36 - The Role of AI in Operational Efficiency

12:47 - Balancing Short-term and Long-term Data Priorities

15:00 - Enhancing Customer Experience through AI

19:08 - Aligning Workforce and Culture for AI Success

21:03 - Innovative Strategies for Data Quality and Security

24:35 - Final Thoughts on Data Trust and AI Success

Privacy by Default and Design is a fundamental principle of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It prioritises transparency, user control, and data security from the outset. This approach ensures that privacy is integrated into systems and processes by default rather than as an afterthought. 

By embedding these practices, organisations enhance trust and accountability while meeting regulatory requirements. However, challenges such as resistance to change and the need for cultural transformation must be addressed to implement this principle effectively.

In this episode of the Don’t Panic It’s Just Data, Tudor Galos, Senior Privacy Consultant, speaks to Paulina Rios Maya, Head of Industry Relations, about the impact of privacy by default and design extend to user experience, where issues like consent fatigue and the necessity for user-friendly interfaces arise. 

Key Takeaways:

• Organisations face challenges in implementing privacy by default and design, including resistance to change and the need for cultural transformation.
• Privacy by default and design impact user experience, with issues like consent fatigue and the need for user-friendly interfaces.
• Regulations like GDPR and CCPA incorporate privacy by default and design principles, emphasising compliance and accountability.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and Overview

01:00 - Core Principles of Privacy by Default and Design

02:19 - Difference from Traditional Privacy Practices

04:09 - Challenges in Implementing Privacy by Default and Design

05:33 - Impact of Privacy by Default on User Experience

08:14 - Alignment of Privacy by Default with Regulations

09:04 - Ensuring Compliance and Trust

11:24 - Implications of Emerging Technologies on Privacy

13:15 - Innovations in Privacy-Enhancing Technologies

15:50 - Conclusion

Safe Software's Feature Manipulation Engine (FME) plays a pivotal role in the City of Fremont's operations, particularly in ensuring accurate and efficient data submissions under the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA). By automating complex workflows and enhancing data quality, FME not only ensures seamless compliance with RIPA requirements but also optimises processes for their ITS and GIS divisions.

FME also drives innovation in projects like the DroneSense programme and their Cityworks asset management integration. With seamless data integration and powerful visualisations, FME empowers the City of Fremont to enhance operations, improve asset management, and support informed decision-making.

In this episode, Jonathan Reichental, founder at Human Future, speaks to John Leon, GIS Manager for the City of Fremont, to discuss: 

• FME 
• RIPA
• Public Safety 

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and Overview of the City of Fremont and IT/GIS Division

03:01 - Explanation of the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA)

04:27 - Challenges in Meeting RIPA Standards and Utilizing FME

06:21 - How FME Ensures Error-Free RIPA Data Submissions

09:40 - Benefits of Using FME for RIPA Compliance

10:39 - Other Innovative Projects Utilizing FME in the City of Fremont

13:30 - Future Plans for FME in the City of Fremont

17:17 - Recommendations for Government Agencies: Leverage FME for Data Submissions