A few years ago, big data was little more than a buzzword. Today, it's a reality for every business, but only a few firms are taking advantage of the new world of information. The science of analytics is a way to get inside customers' minds and understand the complex behavioral dynamics that affect business. Analytics in a Big Data World advances the discussion of big data by moving it out of the theoretical realm and into everyday business practice.

It has been said that data is the new oil?an abundant resource of great value. The difference between data and oil, as top analytics researcher Bart Baesens understands, is that everyone has data. In areas like risk management, fraud detection, and customer relationship management, the potential gains afforded by big data analytics are well worth exploring. Reading Analytics in a Big Data World is the first step in extracting the valuable information waiting in your databases.

By taking a practitioner's perspective, this book shows readers how to use the latest developments and new ideas in big data to build an analytics strategy with practical applications. The mathematics and theory have already been tested, so Analytics in a Big Data World draws on case studies and action plans, rather than dwelling unnecessarily on technical details. This realistic focus makes the guide ideal for analytics professionals who want to learn the latest techniques for leveraging data to expand markets.

This latest addition to the Wiley and SAS Business Series is relevant to decisions that all businesses will need to make in the coming years. As the number of practical applications for data skyrockets, learning how to extract business value from big data becomes a competitive requirement. Bart Baesens has accomplished something significant with Analytics in a Big Data World, which delivers an action-oriented guide to staying competitive using the latest analytical models.