While there are many technical exchange platforms and research groups in the field of big data technologies, the Big Data Seminar closes a still remaining gap by focusing on big data management.
It closely examines the user's perspective rather than the technology per se, with a view to extracting benefits from data as simply as possible – and not necessarily in monetary terms. The participants praised this practical aspect of the event as well.
- Quentin Maestripieri, who works in the Marketing Development & Controlling unit at AXA Winterthur, explained how the company is using big data and addressing further challenges down the road. For example, AXA uses data to identify customers who are about to leave and then finds ways of regaining their loyalty.
- Stefan Mau, a doctoral student at the Mobiliar Lab for Analytics of ETH Zurich, talked about the direction the insurer is taking with its big data initiatives. In particular, he explained how data is being used to prevent burglaries.
- Thomas Henzmann,Head of ICT Strategy and Innovation at Swiss Post, teamed up with the Institute of Information Systems at University of Berne to present his ideas about where he thinks the future possibilities for using big data lie.
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts dedicates its own project to the topic of data use. As an interdisciplinary project, Data Worlds aims to identify ways of generating additional value from data. It does so by adopting a unique approach to delivering sustainable added value across the various disciplines – not only in purely economic terms but also by including the social and cultural dimensions.
