Autumn 2019 speaking gig themes

I'm always grateful when people ask me to speak at their events - it's a privilege never to be taken for granted that people are willing to spend their valuable time listening to what I have to say. But I thought it might be useful for some to know the themes of my talks through the… Continue reading Autumn 2019 speaking gig themes

Healthcare IT is hard – even with AI & machine learning – but we should pursue it

Healthcare IT is hard. I bring this up as the drumbeat of negative press about IBM Watson has been getting louder recently, especially around healthcare. And now comes this comprehensive report from STAT News - a well-respected source in the health sector - on IBM's efforts with Watson for Oncology. The report outlines the struggles clinicians have… Continue reading Healthcare IT is hard – even with AI & machine learning – but we should pursue it

The paradox of enterprise search

We live in a world in which business decisions are increasingly driven by data. And that data isn't just the structured variety stored in a relational database and accessed via BI tools. The majority of data is unstructured and can be hard to find. This is where enterprise search comes in. The market for enterprise… Continue reading The paradox of enterprise search

Digital transformation: the what, the why and the how

My company - 451 Research - defines Digital Transformation as the result of IT innovation that is aligned with and driven by a well-planned business strategy, with the goal of transforming: how organizations serve customers, employees and partners support continuous improvement in business operations disrupt existing businesses and markets invent new businesses and business models… Continue reading Digital transformation: the what, the why and the how

What’s driving machine learning, and where is it taking us?

Of all the places to try out machine learning, the legal market would probably not be the logical choice, given its reputation as a laggard in technology adoption. But about five years ago, machine learning was given a go – in the form of something called predictive coding in a certain area of legal software… Continue reading What’s driving machine learning, and where is it taking us?

IBM’s forecast calls for more cloud-based analytics and cognitive computing

With the whole of IBM now marching to its cognitive computing message, the company's Insight conference in Las Vegas was always going to be heavily influenced by analytics, Watson Analytics in particular. After all, it is the combination of advanced analytics – including text analytics and machine learning – in that product that is likely… Continue reading IBM’s forecast calls for more cloud-based analytics and cognitive computing

IBM Watson adds more visual clues to analyze as it grows its user base

IBM recently provided an update on its progress with Watson Analytics - a combination of guided analytic discovery and visualization plus predictive analytics all wrapped up in a freemium pricing model. Customers of 451 Research can read my report here, but here's a couple of snippets: IBM is operating in a very crowded analytics market with a… Continue reading IBM Watson adds more visual clues to analyze as it grows its user base

Why now is a great time to rejoin the analyst business

I'm very excited to be returning to the industry analyst business full time with 451 Research, the company I co-founded 15 years ago. I've spent just over three years away, running product marketing in the eDiscovery software business and more recently, running my own consulting business. I've rejoined as research VP for software. That somewhat bland… Continue reading Why now is a great time to rejoin the analyst business

Data-rich insurers about to get richer. Can they handle it?

Insurers are already awash with data, but they're about to get a whole lot more. That makes their current under-investment in technology to analyse data all the more troubling. A recent report, surveying more than 300 insurers around the world identified insurers as ripe for disruption unless they invest in new technology to better analyse… Continue reading Data-rich insurers about to get richer. Can they handle it?

Healthcare ripe for information innovation

The business case for better information management in healthcare is clear cut. This applies especially in markets where healthcare providers aren't competing for patients, as they do in the US. So sharing information should be the norm. But it isn't. Why? There are numerous reasons, but it's due in part to slow adoption of technology… Continue reading Healthcare ripe for information innovation