CEO Blog: You May Need an Umbrella

In the world most of us know, weather forecasts are basically the domain of the TV weather people. They served two, sometimes three purposes. First, they let you know if it is going to rain. Second, they often fill the role of the attractive person in the mix of news people over a half hour period. Last, they provide material for us all to complain about when they are wrong, which we all think is most of the time. More recently, we have begun to also look to sources on the Internet and new mobile apps to get weather information. Fundamentally, all weather predictions come from the same data points, though. They are the various satellites and other deployed instrumentation that services like NOAA and various news agencies and research institutions deploy. That data is then interpreted by weathermen (meteorologists, to be more accurate) and then conveyed on to us in more simple terms, like "bring an umbrella". Easy concept.

Enter the brave new world, where we can all contribute to forecasting by pitching in with the data collection. As new deployed mobile devices bring more and more information to bear, the latest development is the barometer on your phone. Check out the article on the new Android device now being deployed that does this. And as it points out, that opens the door for new weather-related applications that collect and distill this information into forecasts that are ostensibly the beneficiary of many, many more collection points resulting in (hopefully) more accurate forecasts.

We love that for several reasons. First, it is furthering the progress of the new world of technology which reaches into both new and old avenues in compelling new ways impacting all walks of life. Second, and more specific to us at Infobright, it underscores the vast explosion of machine-generated data. Vast. That's what we do and we do it very, very well. And last, we do it because we would like to know when and when not to bring along an umbrella.

Regards,

Don