Big Data Analytics - Any experience here?

hey guys,
this is basically something I hear everywhere and there seems to be really high demand for it.
But I really have no experience in it, I know it involves software like hadoop, mapreduce and working with databases but how exactly can one make this profitable?
I have a BS in Computer Science and a couple of friends with the same background, we want to start a business.

Anyone with experience here or with some useful tips?
Thanks

Who would you see as being potential clients? Have you ever used crystal or anything like that?

The thing about analysis you need a set of objectives in order to read anything worthwhile from any data. So without a clear aim it is pointless.

As far as I am concerned big data is everything, but I'm not sure what your issue is with. Is it the collection or the analysis? Is it for market research or for operational efficiency?

Effectively the targeting, collection, refinement, analysis and reporting of data is a large and specialist field that I have been doing for twenty years. Your either good at it or your Mr average (there are far more average than genius analyst's out there).

nobodyelsein said:

Who would you see as being potential clients? Have you ever used crystal or anything like that?

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Well we were thinking of any kind of small to big businesses that work with huge amounts of data e.g. pharmaceutical companies, banks, companies in the public sector.
Are you refering to crystalknows ? I have never heard of them before but sounds interesting.

Thanks for your reply rob1977,

we were thinking of specific 'packages' we would offer depending on the field we are working with, e.g. a special package for banks, another one for pharma companies etc.

It should really be both analysis and consulting/optimization of processes.

This is awesome, how do you think we could avoid being Mr. average ? We really want to offer quality services.
The biggest problem we're facing right now is how do we get our first clients? Who wants to work with a bunch of newly grads with no experience in the field?

Thanks

There is no right answer as to how to avoid being average, by average I mean functional and decisive albeit with a hint of 'this is the ten o'clock news'. In reality you only need to be average to report what has happened.

What makes someone stand out is the ability to take that reportage and draw solid conclusions about what it means and where it's going. Sometimes based on instinct.

The way you should organise yourself is in single specialised desks, so 1 analyst who looks at pharmaceuticals and nothing else etc. Blog about your findings and use that as a live cv.