How businesses can utilise Big Data to their advantage

Utilising data allows processes to be more automated, which leads to increased productivity and simplified operations.

As industries enter a new period of digitalisation in the workplace, the rising demand for tech skills for Industry 4.0—which focuses heavily on automation, data, and the Internet of Things (IoT)—also accelerates this movement. This signifies how the future of work will never be the same and will continue to evolve.

As technology is integrated into various industries, processes will be more automated to simplify lives and increase productivity, whilst heavily relying on data. This could range from automated cleaner robots and patrolling robots for physical manual work, to automation and conversion of data for desk work.

As such, companies are now relying on big data to improve business operations. It has also led to the high demand for tech jobs and opportunities as companies aim to undergo this trend.

For Lai Shumin, Data Analytics Trainer at tech educator platform Smartcademy, the data boom the past few years has inadvertently enabled the collection of massive amounts of data for organisations.

She noted that these companies can now tap into collected data and turn it into insights to improve and enhance their current business processes and offerings. This enables them to identify any bottlenecks or critical paths in their business processes. Data analytics insights will pave the way for informed decisions on improving workflows and practices within companies.

“I think companies should view these technologies as enablers. They can start by identifying pain points within the firm, or bottlenecks that they would like to work on. From there, they can decide how technology can be harnessed to improve these processes,” Shumin said.

With these advantages, companies can automate existing manual and tedious processes to allow for an easier data collection, which will then lead to a more optimised process.

Companies are also now challenged with finding the right talent to employ these technologies. The trainer advised companies to either hire the right talent or upskill their existing employees to be equipped with the right skills.

“We are slowly moving towards a seamless, fully automated world, which will generate an impending surge in data availability. This will open up endless possibilities and potential for employees and businesses,” Shumin said.

Whilst she acknowledges that finding the right talent is not an easy task, businesses should also take the lead in encouraging employees to upskill through offering corporate upskilling and training courses.

“They can design new competency frameworks to map out, restructure, and overhaul the skills and capabilities of their employees every once in a while, and sufficient resources and budget should also be allocated for employee upskilling whilst tapping into available Government schemes,” Shumin said.

Smartcademy offers proper training and education to help out companies in this regard.

As one of Singapore’s leading training providers for in-demand tech skills and career/workforce transformation, Smartcademy offers short but impactful courses related to data analytics and in-demand technologies. It allows for greater flexibility to those who are unable to commit full-time as most of its courses are held on weekends and can be completed in a month.

At the same time, its beginner-friendly courses are tailor-made to include industry-relevant projects and case studies to allow for well-rounded exposure and practical learning. There is typically at least one trainer and a teaching assistant present from the start to the end of the course for extended guidance.

Smartcademy’s students come from different walks of life, ranging from fresh graduates to mature learners. It is common for our students to land jobs relating to Data Analytics after completing Smartcademy’s course even though they graduated from an entirely different major.

For Shumin, these success stories are true testaments to demonstrate the importance of upskilling and expanding one’s skill sets.

“Ultimately, upskilling is not a one-man show. It boils down to the mindsets of both employers – in taking charge of employee learning and encouraging them, and working professionals—in taking charge of their own development and maintaining a positive and open mindset toward lifelong learning,” she said.

Smartcademy offers a range of beginner-friendly, in-demand, and IBF-accredited courses in Data Analytics, Blockchain, Digital Marketing, UX Design, and Design Thinking. Eligible Singaporeans/PRs can enjoy up to 90% in IBF funding support* and offset the remaining course fees via SkillsFuture Credits.

October 2022 intake is closing soon – apply now: https://bit.ly/3CJRS0r