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Smart Data Discovery - The next wave in BI



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Smart Data Discovery – the Next Wave in Business Intelligence

In our always-on, ever in demand world, technology moves at a breakneck speed for both consumers and business. Keeping up with the trends can be mindboggling and 2017 is no different. Last year we touched on the top three emerging trends in the insight and analytics sector. From increased data security scrutiny to healthcare data to smart data for the masses; it’s been nearly a year since we wrote about these emerging big data trends. So, let’s take a deeper dive and see where we are, what’s changed, and what to watch.

One of the most quickly evolving trends is smart data discovery according to Gartner’s 2017 BI and Analytics Magic Quadrant. As the Digital Age progresses, this next wave of business intelligence automates analytics through machine learning and natural language. Businesses will need people who can understand, manage, and guide the process as projections show smart data discovery to be mainstream within three years.

Finding the Balance

Most companies need to balance between a structured setup and a need for data discovery. Finding the balance can help guide them to informed decisions about investing in their analytics capabilities. Consistent data definitions may be best in a more centralized approach, while more complex issues may be solved by a combination of smart data employees utilizing machine learning tools for analysis.

It’s important to recognize not everyone in the organization has the time, talent, or interest involved in data discovery. But, they still need the information gained from analysis beyond a standard report format.

FUN is in the Fundamentals

As exciting as combining machine learning process with new data discoveries is, it’s key not to forget the foundation of prep work. Technology needs those who understand what data is important to a business and how it should be managed.

Data discovery is key to every business and isn’t just related to customer insight and marketing in consumer industries, it’s important in the financial services sector as well. This is where our team of experts comes in. If you’re interested in contributing to the future of big data, we might have the role for you. We specialize in Data and Analytics recruitment and always have a wide range of vacancies at both junior and senior level. Take a look at our current vacancies or contact us to find out more.

For the East Coast and Mid-West teams please call 212-796-6070, or email newyorkinfo@harnham.com.

For the West Coast team call 415-614-4999 or email sanfraninfo@harnham.com.

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Relocation Tips for Your Coast to Coast Move

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They and their inbox will thank you.Start Building Your Network – Whether you’re looking to eventually by house, want to get setup in a new rental which offers a bit more permanence, or just want to know where the best restaurants are, and get settled into your new city, start building your network. Plenty of businesses offer get togethers at work, but consider building a network outside of your work life – go to meetups, attend local events, volunteer. Get in the habit of saying yes to new opportunities and activities. Making the effort can go a long way in enriching your new experience and helps to bring you more fully into experience your newfound digs. There is so much which goes into a move, whether its state-to-state, city-to-city, across the country, or around the world. But having a plan, making connections, and communicating openly with your new boss can help take some of the stress off moving. And whether you’ve negotiated a relocation package or are coordinating it on your own, there are plenty of ways to keep your eye on the prize and relax once you get to the other side and settled into your new job. Our brick-and-mortar locations are in San Francisco, New York, Berlin, and London, but we have clients around the world. Whether you’re looking for a permanent or a contract role, we’ve got you covered. Check out our current vacancies for opportunities or contact one of our recruitment consultants to learn more.  For our West Coast Team, call (415) 614 - 4999 or send an email to sanfraninfo@harnham.com.   For our Mid-West and East Coast Teams, call (212) 796 - 6070 or send an email to newyorkinfo@harnham.com. 

Jamie Finnigan

Jamie Finnigan

23. May 2019

The Culture Rush of Working in the Pacific Northwest

When you think of the Pacific Northwest, images of Pike’s Place at Seattle’s Waterfront and Starbucks’ birthplace may come immediately to mind. Or shoot down the I-5 Corridor toward the Silicon Forest, Oregon’s tech hub nod and nickname, a play on Silicon Valley just a little further South down the I-5 to San Francisco. One thing which may stand out immediately on the drive is the ocean vista view. Relax and unwind with a good cup of coffee at a local shop, bask in the mild climate, and curl up with a good book when you get a bit of free time. Here, the mantra is to ‘work hard, play harder’. The Land of Tech Seattle, also known as Emerald City, is one of the largest tech hubs of the eight in the US seeking top tech talent. Available jobs are outpacing the skilled workers to fill them. While they could outsource to other countries, many businesses are choosing to offer remote work options. Commuting Like a Local For most people, commuting involves keeping your car gassed up and maintained whether your office is a few miles down the road or in the next town. But, in the Pacific Northwest, commuting is part of an active lifestyle, while at the same time lowering your carbon footprint. How?  Well, with plenty of walking, hiking, and biking trails as well as a robust public transportation system, it’s a breeze to get to work. And you’ll be helping to support a sustainable environment as well. Biking is the most popular commuting option. If you’re a biker or plan to become one, be sure your outfitted with good reflective gear, a waterproof windbreaker, and of course, a helmet. If you’re going sans car, don’t forget a waterproof back. After all, you’ll need something to carry your stuff in, right?  Work/Life Balance Whether it's because of the temperate climate, the mild winters, or the laid-back atmosphere, the work/life balance in Washington and Oregon offer a peaceful setting to refresh and recharge. Available communities to spend time with like-minded people and the abundance of tech-focused jobs available in the area offer an amazing work/life balance. Spending Time in Nature – plenty of islands, parks, and trails offer a chance to commune with nature whether your commuting to and from work or planning for the weekend. The Arts - Portland and Seattle are both known for their arts and culture scenes including art festivals, indie bands, symphonies, museums, and more besides.Activities – From hiking to surfing to mountain climbing to yoga, there’s an activity for everyone to enjoy, meet people, and make friends.  One Final Takeaway… The quirky culture of the Pacific Northwest is an exercise in the unexpected. Whether listening to local bands, dressing up in costume at random, taking advantage of sunbreaks when the clouds part, or hiking in the rain, the reward is a good meal with good friends. If you’re new to the area, don’t be shy. Invite yourself along. Our brick-and-mortar locations are in San Francisco, New York, Berlin, and London, but we have clients around the world. Whether you’re looking for a permanent or a contract role, we’ve got you covered. Check out our current vacancies for opportunities or get in touch to learn more. For our West Coast Team, call (415) 614 - 4999 or send an email to sanfraninfo@harnham.com.   For our Mid-West and East Coast Teams, call (212) 796 - 6070 or send an email to newyorkinfo@harnham.com. 

McElla Pappas

McElla Pappas

16. May 2019

Computer Vision: Keeping an Eye on You

Computer Vision: Keeping an Eye on You

5 Animal Farm, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984 all wove tales of Big Brother watching. Remember when only Superman had X-ray vision and leapt tall buildings in a single bound? Well, as big tech grapples with the cause and effect of its place when it comes to facial recognition, security, and object detection, there’s a new superhero in town. Computer Vision.  The Eyes Which Sweep Our World While we still can’t be everywhere or see everything at once, we have eyes everywhere. Despite security cameras, motion detectors, satellites, computers, and smartphones, there are still dangers we may miss. So, by making our machines and computers visually-enabled using Artificial Intelligence, we significantly ramp up what we can see and how fast we can process it. Still growing, Computer Vision remains in an infant stage, given that autonomous cars still can’t differentiate between a rock and paper bag or worse, a person and a static object. Despite this, there are plenty of startups on the scene working toward a solution. As Artificial Intelligence increasingly blends with Biometric technology, it lends itself more easily to image recognition, allowing computers to correctly match fingerprints and facial patterns. But, no longer is it just matching two images. Now, it’s being taught to learn the difference between static images and liveness. This could prove invaluable for: Spotting weaponsSuspicious behaviorsDangerous object detection Safety Begins at Home With products such as security cameras prevailing within the security industry, businesses are hard at work creating and improving their products using the latest technologies.  One such company is working to boost the clarity of their home security cameras. Think grainy gray, blurry images from night vision options or overly bright and distorted in the day. Their camera chip will be HDR and will be able to take much clearer pictures even in low-light. At home, you might find this product in a doorbell camera which could prove quite useful for smart homes which offer the option of allowing service people into your home from a remote app on your phone.  And these cameras aren’t limited to your front door: ATMsIndoor/Outdoor camerasCCTV CamerasNumber Plate Recognition Cameras Though cameras have played a role in all of these areas for some time, the idea now is to keep them from being hacked and causing damage on both a product and a personal level. And like any type of Artificial Intelligence recognition system, these camera applications are created with advanced features to protect against hacking as well super speed processing of whether or not an object is an animal, a shadow, or some kind of inclement weather.  The best part? We’re only a few months away from products which can boost the benefits of many of available security cameras.  The Caveat of Image Recognition Systems More and more people around the world own security cameras, not the least of which is security personnel. With this increased level of ownership, the market is expected to have over $20 billion in revenue in less than five years. With such high demand, it’s no wonder only about five percent of footage ever gets viewed. But what if security professionals could navigate up to 80 video sources on a single server? What if the algorithms, analytics, and video processing worked with cameras of all types including, but not limited to:  Car dashboardsBody vestsDrone mounts With all these cameras surrounding us, the one thing to watch is that it is still humans who input the information the cameras use to process. When it comes to security professionals such as law enforcement, investigation, and government authorities its import to make sure the camera doesn’t discriminate or operate on bias. This an important issue even that even our most advanced intelligence agencies admits the algorithms for their facial recognition software are wrong about 15 percent of the time. However, one organization is working to improve and make these algorithms more ethically developed when it comes to image recognition as well as respecting individual privacy concerns.  As we navigate the growing pains of new technologies, it's important to understand these solutions are meant to ensure customers, the public, and communities can trust the solutions being created. If you’re looking for a new role in Computer Vision, take a look at our latest opportunities or get in touch with one of our expert consultants: For our West Coast Team, call (415) 614 - 4999 or send an email to sanfraninfo@harnham.com.   For our Mid-West and East Coast Teams, call (212) 796 - 6070 or send an email to newyorkinfo@harnham.com. 

Sam Brown

Sam Brown

09. May 2019

Can Robots Think Like We Do? Computer Vision May Provide The Answer

Can Robots Think Like We Do? Computer Vision May Provide The Answer

It might surprise you to learn that we, humans, and machines, learn in much the same way.  When we “size up a person, product, or situation” or “eyeball” a distance or measurement, our brain makes lightning quick calculations and guesses. From this, we’re able to reason and making relational assessments of separate items bound together by their similarities. These tasks, we accomplish as early as about 18-months old. This is what we’re working on getting computers to do as well, though we’re not quite there, yet. And just as children learn block by block and bit by bit, so too can we teach AI.  Computer Vision, when it comes to the industry of robotics, offers one of the most challenging aspects of the latest technological advancements. Keeping Up Appearances Humans take in, process, acknowledge, and understand information in order to act, but the replication of this human software has been challenging. One way in which companies are meeting this challenge is combine Computer Vision  hardware with software algorithms and Deep Learning to help teach computers to better “see” objects and identify them accurately. But like the inner-workings of the human mind, Machine Vision and Deep Learning touch on several areas such as actual and predicted Computer Vision  reporting, the three-pronged recipe of a Computer Vision  system, and a product development ecosystem which gets to the root of the technology. According to one report, Computer Vision in robotics is expected to grow significantly over a 7-year period. Some of the markets expected to see growth and making major investments include semiconductor manufacturers, software companies, and product developers. The Building Blocks The Deep Learning Engineer is to Computer Vision  what the Data Engineer is to Data Science. In both regards, these professionals must begin with a solid foundation and build from there. In order to achieve 100% accuracy, hardware and software improvements must get underway and are tantamount to a fully developed ecosystem of Computer Vision product development. Acceleration of this rapidly evolving industry is due to a number of factors:  Wide availability of wireless networks to millions of people worldwide.Deep Learning advances.More cost-effective chipsets.Images that can be processed, analyzed, and transmitted more easily with availability of high bandwidth.Open source libraries help to build differentiated products without reinventing the wheel every time when it comes to infrastructure. On the flipside, there are some barriers to overcome as well. These include, but are not limited to: Cost issues due to the fact that most advances take place in university research labs or big companies.A skills shortage of  hardware engineers with Computer Vision and Deep Learning experience.A lack of recognized applications for these products, though the closest attempt may be self-driving cars. Though these considerations may seem unsurmountable in the short-term, they do provide plenty of opportunity for those in design automation. From the initial analysis to servers in the cloud, and high-level solutions to help computers make informed decisions. Looking Ahead So, what happens when we teach computers to think as we do? Will there be a battle for domination of one species over another? Probably not. But one of the biggest challenges to get to the next level in automated machine learning is understanding how much our thinking process involves predictions. This is important in fields which must coordinate information based on exterior data. This type of learning has impacted a variety of fields from online shopping to medical diagnosis. The massive amount of data available for consumption is staggering. Not only are Deep Learning and Machine Learning products of corporate and scientific solutions, they are also being put in the palm of our hand; our homes, our cars, and our handheld devices in order to help us more efficiently complete jobs which might be too slow going or for which mistakes are prone. If you’re interested in industrial robotics and the AI space, we may have a role for you. We specialize in junior and senior roles and have numerous opportunities in Computer Vision. Take a look at our current vacancies or get in touch with one of our expert consultants:  For our West Coast Team, call (415) 614 - 4999 or send an email to sanfraninfo@harnham.com.   For our Mid-West and East Coast Teams, call (212) 796 - 6070 or send an email to newyorkinfo@harnham.com. 

Sam Brown

Sam Brown

02. May 2019

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