Simon on: M&IT - Big data, again

The predictions are in - 'big data is the one to watch in the meetings industry in 2015.'

*Sigh*

The term 'big data' is one that continues to wind me up as it is brandished by those who either don't understand it or choose to deliberately misuse it.

So what's the real definition?

Big data is an all-encompassing term for sets of data which are so large and complex that traditional processing methods are rendered inadequate.

To see big data put into perspective when it comes to meetings, read the whole article featured on M&IT, by clicking here.

Simon on: Predictions for 2013

It is a great tradition to offer predictions at this time of year. 

Given the exaggeration about some aspects of technology, could it be that we’ll be told that the iPad mini will revolutionise the meetings world so desktops and laptops will be burned? Or that “The cloud” will mean that everybody can have all of their documents safely stored in a mystical place run by someone else? 

Somebody is bound to claim that NFC will mean that nobody needs to carry cash, credit cards, business cards or a name badge. And no doubt, by the end of the year the whole planet will be signed up to Facebook so there won’t be any need for any other communications channels.

Why stop there? Surely within 20 years, your smartphone will be wired directly into your brain and will know more than you do so you’ll no longer need to go to conferences or exhibitions.

Perhaps this is a slight exaggeration but I have a horrible suspicion that it isn’t much more ridiculous than some of the stuff we’ll actually read.

Originally published in Conference News