IBM Harps on Data Analytics, Cloud Innovation

Emma Okonji

IBM, a technology solution provider, on Tuesday in Lagos, stressed the need for organisations to invest more in data analytics, using cloud as a platform, to innovate, grow their businesses and protect their businesses from all levels of security attacks.

Speaking at the IBM Innovation Forum in Lagos, the IBM Cloud Services Leader, Central and West Africa, Mr. Yusuf Assengee, said the IBM cloud technology had been used in several ways to create disruptions in the technology space and that many organisations have built their technology solutions on the IBM cloud, which he said, has been made simple and accessible by IBM.

“Cloud is the next technology solution and IBM is available to help organisations and customers to leverage on the power of cloud technology,” Assengee said.

IBM Big Data Leader, Mr. Zeeshion Mehdi, who spoke on ‘Accelerating Cloud Value Through Cognitive Analytics, advised organisations to always create data that meets the needs of the market place and could explore transformative model to greater value. He said IBM data analytics would help address key technology issues and reposition businesses. He therefore advised organisations to invest in data analytics that would help transform their businesses.

He described the various levels of IBM data analytics to include predictive analytics, descriptive analytics, prescriptive analytics and cognitive analytics. He explained that IBM has made all levels of its data analytics simple and accessible.

Speaking on how organisations could benefit from the different layers of the IBM data analytics, the Chief Technology Officer, IBM Cloud for Middle East and Africa, Mr. Anthony Butler, said the descriptive analytics helps customers to understand the solution better and that all the various layers of data analytics are contained on the IBM platform, to further boost customer experience. He however explained that the nature and size of the data, determines the best form of analytics to be applied by the customer.

Addressing the cost effectiveness of deploying data analytics, the Country General Manager, IBM Nigeria, Mr. Dipo Faulkner said organisations must understand what cloud technology is all, about, and define how it wants to drive value, using the cloud platform.

The issue of security around the cloud was also discussed, and Butler dismissed fears of insecurity around cloud and data analytics. He explained that the IBM cloud comes with various layers of security that protects data from attacks.

The forum attracted several organisations that are using technology to drive their business. They include organisations from the oil and gas, telecoms, health, and manufacturing sectors, among other sectors.