Merv Adrian

Diary of an Asian Swing: Day 2

(Written on iPhone) Typical Eurostyle breakfast. Learn at desk that I DO have a TV, but have to slide picture over to reveal it. Feel remarkably stupid. A little work, then onto subway. Like everything else here, clean, efficient, modern and packed with people – most playing with their smartphones. I’m the only Anglo inContinue reading “Diary of an Asian Swing: Day 2”

Diary of an Asian Swing: Day 1

I’ve never been a diarist. But as an exercise, I’m going to document this trip: two weeks on the road to Asia and Australia. Almost all work, though there is one day of weekend and recovery time built in. Friday, Nov 2. Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong. Business class. Comfortable, well-appointed cabin. Friendly, courteousContinue reading “Diary of an Asian Swing: Day 1”

Guest Post: Leading the Logical Data Warehouse Charge Has its Challenges

From my colleague Mark Beyer, who speculates about how leadership in moving toward the logical data warehouse (LDW) will be received: The logical data warehouse is already creating a stir in the traditional data warehouse market space. Less than 5% of clients with implemented warehouses that we speak with are pursuing three or more of theContinue reading “Guest Post: Leading the Logical Data Warehouse Charge Has its Challenges”

Apache Hadoop 1.0 Doesn’t Clear Up Trunks and Branches Questions. Do Distributions?

In early January 2012, the world of big data was treated to an interesting series of product releases, press announcements, and blog posts about Hadoop versions. To begin with, we had the announcement of Apache version 1.0 at long last, in a press release. Although there were grumblings here and there in the twittersphere thatContinue reading “Apache Hadoop 1.0 Doesn’t Clear Up Trunks and Branches Questions. Do Distributions?”

Mark Beyer, Father of the Logical Data Warehouse, Guest Post

Another guest post, this time from my colleague and friend Mark Beyer. My name is Mark Beyer, and I am the “father of the logical data warehouse”. So, what does that mean? First, if like any father, you are not willing to address your ancestry with full candor you will lose your place in the universe andContinue reading “Mark Beyer, Father of the Logical Data Warehouse, Guest Post”

Beyond Moneyball: How Organizations Can Use Collaborative Decision Making to Succeed

Having just seen the movie myself, I was delighted to receive this guest post from my colleague Rita Sallam, a Research Director here who focuses on Analytics, BI, and Performance Management. It’s a good read. As demonstrated in movie “Moneyball”, starring Brad Pitt and opening in theaters today (http://www.moneyball-movie.com/), professional sports teams are increasingly using data miningContinue reading “Beyond Moneyball: How Organizations Can Use Collaborative Decision Making to Succeed”

Hadoop Distributions And Kids’ Soccer

The big players are moving in for a piece of the big data action. IBM, EMC, and NetApp have stepped up their messaging, in part to prevent startup upstarts like Cloudera from cornering the Apache Hadoop distribution market. They are all elbowing one another to get closest to “pure Apache” while still “adding value.” NumerousContinue reading “Hadoop Distributions And Kids’ Soccer”

IBM Fills Out Netezza Lineup With High Capacity Appliance

In the months since IBM closed its Netezza acquisition, the data warehouse appliance pioneer has been busy, if the announcements at this week’s Enzee are any indication. An enthusiastic crowd – 1000 strong – heard CEO Jim Baum deliver the news: new hardware, software and partnerships.The biggest news was The Appliance Formerly Known As Cruiser,Continue reading “IBM Fills Out Netezza Lineup With High Capacity Appliance”

First Gartner Post Up

Yes, I know it’s been a while. But I’ve had a lot to learn at Gartner. Systems, people, existing positions…I’ve now put up my first Gartner blog post, at http://blogs.gartner.com/merv-adrian/2011/03/23/learning-the-ropes Feel free to go there and check it out. You don’t have to be a Gartner client. My next task will be figuring out whatContinue reading “First Gartner Post Up”