Predictive Analytics with in2clouds Rides a Wave

by Curt Hall

Last month, I discussed some of the factors influencing the growing adoption of data mining and predictive analytics (see "The Slow, Steady Climb for Data Mining, Predictive Analytics," 1 February 2011). In particular, I noted a developing trend that is going to have an impact on the use of predictive analytics and data mining: Cloud-based data-mining applications and services. Basically, I said that the availability of data mining/predictive analytics via the software as a service (SaaS) model is important because it puts the technology -- one that has typically been hard to get started with because of complexity, cost, skill set requirements, processing needs, and so on -- within reach of more end-user organizations that otherwise might not be able, or would be unwilling, to attempt to use the technology. I cited Predixion Software, which I discussed last year (see "Predixion Insight: Self-Service Predictive Analytics in the Cloud," 21 September 2010).