Learning to Love Data Science

Chapter 10. The Last Mile of Analytics: Making the Leap from Platforms to Tools

Topline Summary

Technology innovation tends to proceed from the inside out. The early stages of invention usually focus on getting the most basic aspects of the new technology to work without falling apart. Then the innovation tends to move outward. The basic technology is buried under or hidden behind a user interface.

The development of advanced analytics is following a similar path. Processes and techniques that initially required highly specialized knowledge and training are gradually being replaced by tools that are considerably less powerful, but much more usable. Some are calling this stage “the last mile of analytics,” while others refer to it as the “verticalization of analytics.” No matter what you call it, the trend seems fairly clear: analytics have entered a more mature phase. More companies are building analytics with an end user in mind, and hoping to profit from the growing belief that analytics are critical to business growth in modern markets.

This report, written in the summer of 2014, looks at advanced analytics and machine learning from the perspective of entrepreneurs and investors who are eager to monetize data science and expand into new markets.

Inching Closer to the Front Lines

Models are fine if you’re a data scientist, but when you’re looking for insights that translate into meaningful actions and real business results, what you really need are better tools. The first ...