Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
APPENDIX B
Microsoft and “Big data”
This appendix introduces you to the concept of
Big Data
and the evolving tools that Microsoft
and other vendors are using to harness and extract value from large, growing, and increasingly
unstructured sources of information. You will begin to see the role the tools discussed in this topic
play toward getting value from data. We discuss Big Data with respect to Microsoft SharePoint 2013,
Microsoft Office 2013, and Microsoft SQL Server 2012, which all play a role in getting value from Big
Data investments.
We provide instruction for how Microsoft HDInsight integrates with Hadoop (which we'll introduce
and describe a little later in this appendix) to query and visualize data and the difference between
open source HDinsights and HDInsightAzure. You will learn how the tools described in this topic are
relevant to extricating value from disparate and unstructured data sources. It's important to note that
it is likely Microsoft will continue to integrate business intelligence (BI) tools with Hadoop.
Chapter 1, “Business intelligence in SharePoint,” establishes a clear focus on how we can value and
use the data we have. Distilling value from data that is increasing in volume, velocity, and variety will
continue to challenge the most capable individuals and computer systems. This appendix introduces
tools and concepts that accommodate bigger truckloads of data at the risk of contradicting what was
mentioned in the Chapter 1. While reading this appendix (and the topic, for that matter), ask yourself
how to avoid an endless cycle in which “wisdom” is “lost in knowledge” and “knowledge” is “lost in
information.” Understanding the tools in this topic helps to avoid that dilemma.
“Data is changing the definition of computing and business, infusing new layers of
experience and understanding into our lives. Data presents fresh opportunities, and
the challenge of new technologies and skills. Put bluntly: The future belongs to those
who understand how to collect and use their data successfully.”
(
http://strata.oreilly.
In addition to using data successfully, Microsoft is trying to put the tools in as many hands as pos-
sible for the least cost by using Microsoft Excel. Consider the term “democratization of data.” Democ-
ratization is a concept Microsoft has always seen as key to its own value proposition. It's based on the
idea that new areas of technology, in their early stages, typically are catered to by smaller, pure-play,
specialist companies whose products are sometimes quite expensive. In addition, the skills required
to take advantage of these technologies are usually in short supply, driving costs up even further.
Democratization disrupts this exclusivity with products that are often less expensive, integrate more
easily in the corporate data center and, importantly, are accessible to mainstream information workers
and developers, using the skills they already have.” (
http://www.zdnet.com/microsofts-big-data-strate-
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