Data drives economies. There is virtually no organisation that is untouched by data and its manipulation - whether in the form of emails sent between colleagues or sophisticated stock-and-replenishment systems that keep products on shop shelves.

Big Data is certainly about the amount of data that’s being stored and managed by companies but now, more than ever, it refers to the business intelligence and competitive advantage that can be derived from it.

By interrogating the data that exists within a firm’s IT systems, decision-makers are able to drive down costs and improve efficiencies - they are able to make the data work for them in smart ways.

Complex and growing 

Big Data is potentially complex because it draws from many sources, the fastest-growing form being that which is generated and moved around via mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. But Big Data is also growing as a result of the Internet of Things (IoT), or machine-generated data from sensors and machine logs.

Other enterprise data exists in the form of anything from personnel and financial records to data captured in call centres and, of course, merchandise tracking and warehousing.

Whatever Big Data is made up of, one thing’s for sure: it’s growing quickly and exponentially. And it has to be managed well in order for businesses to extract the most use from it.

The whole point of Big Data is to be able to manage, predict, forecast, plan and optimise a business to improve performance and, ultimately, results.

How Vodacom can help

SAP Business One  software from Vodacom Business can help better manage every aspect of a company – from sales and customer relationships to financials and operations.

It’s available on-demand and in the cloud. SAP Business One provides all essential business functions in one integrated management tool.

The key here is integrated – by having a single view of the business data, executives and managers are able to gain a great deal of intelligence and commercial benefit from it.

For example, retailers use Big Data from cash registers, delivery vehicles, scanners, ordering systems and delivery networks to determine what products sell where and when. That way, they can predict demand cycles and make sure the right products are available to the right people in the right stores at the right time at competitive prices.

In the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector particularly, time-sensitive products with a limited shelf life have to be carefully managed.

The same principles apply to manufacturing. Getting components to factories exactly when they’re needed cuts down on warehousing space and makes sure production is uninterrupted. The logistical benefits of interrogating Big Data effectively contribute significantly to the bottom line.

While analysis of Big Data sets helps identify business trends and opportunities, it’s also used in the medical world for research and for state agencies to combat crime, for example.

SAP Business One software from Vodacom Business gives organisations:

• Improved efficiency: Get up-and-running in just two-to-eight weeks – and customise your solution with over 550 add-ons. Capture all of your business information in a single, scalable system;
• Automation and Performance: Automate and accelerate your business processes from top to bottom. Supercharge application performance and analytics with in-memory technology;
• Insights and Access: Improve decision-making and customer satisfaction with real-time insights. Give employees on-the-go access to SAP Business One with our mobile app.

The bottom line: find innovative ways to reach new customers, maximize efficiency, and drive profitable growth – with SAP Business One from Vodacom Business.