Busting terabytes into useful bits and trends

Data analytics summit talks harnessing big data

In today’s hyperconnected world, cameras, sensors, satellites, social media and more generate some 2.5 quintillion — that’s 2.5 billion billion — bytes of data every day, according to computer scientists at Sandia National Laboratories.

Sifting through those reams of information to find useful data to decipher issues and trends that can help researchers, businesses and government develop new solutions to everyday problems is one of the fastest-growing fields in the computer and software industries.

To tap that emerging market, and help both public and private sectors harness digital information, Central New Mexico Community College is partnering with the state’s national labs, research universities, businesses and government agencies to share ideas, knowledge and skills about data analytics and management.

Representatives from all those sectors will come together this Friday in a Big Data Analytics Summit at CNM’s Workforce Training Center in Albuquerque.

Acquiring those skills and knowledge can make businesses in a range of industries far more efficient and competitive, while also offering new ways for government to manage public issues, said Kyle Lee, executive director of CNM ingenuity, a nonprofit that coordinates the college’s commercial endeavors. It also offers huge opportunities for data analytics startups.

“We’re witnessing the fourth industrial revolution as companies move into the digital era,” Lee said. “The internet of things and interconnectivity requires real understanding of data analytics, so we’re bringing together experts in the field to become more competitive.”

New Mexico has unique capabilities, thanks to the national labs and research universities here working in the field, plus new companies like Descartes Labs in Santa Fe and RS21 in Albuquerque devoted to data analytics.

“We have real expertise here that can help us leapfrog over other places to become a leader in this space,” Lee said.

To do that, New Mexico must educate its workforce to build and manage new software applications, something CNM Ingenuity is tackling through a new data analytics boot camp next January, part of its Deep Dive Coding program.

At the summit, 21 presenters will speak about four aspects of data analytics, including biomedical, image processing, and solutions for state and local governments, said summit organizer Randy Krall.

There is optional pre-conference workshop Thursday to learn some of the basics. Visit nmbdas.com.