IBM Provides New Analytics Tools, and Big Datasets for Testing

IBM has already made many big commitments to data analytics and the cloud. It is committing huge finanical resources to  Apache Spark for example, and expanding its cloud portfolio. Now IBM has announced four new data services: Analytics Exchange, Compose Enterprise, Graph, and Predictive Analytics.

The services are targeted to enable users to analyze their data or get access to datasets provided by IBM. Some of the tools work on BlueMix, while others can be mixed and matched with other cloud tools and platforms.

As ComputerWorld reports,regarding the Graph tool:

"IBM Graph is a fully managed graph database service built on the open-source Apache TinkerPop graph-computing framework. Developers can use it to extend apps with real-time recommendations, fraud detection, or IoT and network-analysis features. An e-retailer, for example, could use the tool to suggest compelling purchase pairings to its customers."

 The Analytics Exchange Tool is found here. The tool provides access to over 150 public datasets with data categories spanning from Communications, to Economy, Geography, Government, Transportation and others. You can test out analytics approaches with the datasets.

As for Compose Enterprise and Predictive Analytics, InfoQ notes the following:

"Compose Enterprise. This service is based on Compose’s offering, a company acquired by IBM, and will be made available in early March, according to an IBM spokesperson who talked to InfoQ. This service includes a number of databases - MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch, PostgreSQL, RethinkDB, etcd -, and message queuing via RabbitMQ. Users will be able to install the service on IBM Softlayer, on an AWS cluster or on dedicated servers."

"Predictive Analytics was built on IBM’s SPSS analytics platform and can be integrated into applications to provide predictive analytics. The service runs on a Bluemix instance, and it is integrated with a number of Bluemix runtimes -Node.js, Liberty for Java, Go, PHP, Python, Ruby on Rails, Ruby Sinatra – but it can be accessed from anywhere through a RESTful web API."

 IBM has a blog post up about the services, which adds:

 "Data has rapidly become the most valuable currency in today’s enterprise. Data is the common thread that binds every function—from the CIO to the road warrior—enabling them to achieve more in a day than would have been possible in a week, just a few years ago.

In short, we’re all in the data business. But with these new opportunities come a new set of challenges; namely, how do we harness this new natural resource (data) in a way that makes our lives easier, more efficient and more productive? How do we find the signal—the data insight—that will give our business the edge it needs?

Today, IBM Cloud Data Services is announcing that we’re officially open for data. Consider us the store that never closes—up and running 24/7, enabling you to do more with your data, with fewer resources (#sleepMore). Our new range of cloud-based tools is designed squarely to address not only the challenges of the modern enterprise, but also the new breed of data handlers driving the enterprise forward."

 The post also provides paths to learn more about IBM’s Cloud Data Services portfolio.