How Volvo Car Corporation Transforms Data into Knowledge Volvo transforms this data into knowledge by taking all of these data streams into Volvo’s Data Warehouse and combining and analyzing them to yield all types of useful information. They even have the ability to obtain early predictive information on matters like manufacturing defects that haven’t occurred yet. This data gives Volvo insights through the use of analytic velocity or rapid, almost real-time analysis to assist them with providing better service to their customers and move ahead of their competitors. The software used gives Volvo the ability to make data driven decisions. An example of this is with regard to Volvo’s continuous focus on safety. Their vehicles have rated among the safest and a lot of that, I think, is their ability to review safety and system data collected from their vehicles. Another example would be developing the most effective maintenance plan for their vehicles because they know when specific components need to be checked or replaced.
Big Data Gives Volvo a Competitive Advantage The real time analytical abilities give Volvo a clear advantage over its competitors. Knowledge is power and having all of that power available and at your finger tips allows Volvo to use a Big Data Strategy to provide better service to their customers. They have the ability to accurately anticipate the needs of their customers. Big Data also gives
References: • Morley, Mark (2011) How the Cloud Helps Manufacturers Address ‘Big Data’ Challenges, Driving B2B Blog, http://www.gxsblogs.com/morleym/2011/10/how-the-cloud-helps-manufacturers-address-%E2%80%98big-data%E2%80%99-challenges.html • Asthana, Praveen (2011) Big Data and Little Data, Forbes Magazine at Forbes.com, http://www.forbes.com/sites/dell/2011/10/31/big-data-and-little-data/ • Fujitsu (2011 ) Global Intelligence for the CIO Converting Data Into Business Value At Volvo, Case Study Data Provided, http://www.i-cio.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/8833/i-cio_Case_Study_Volvo.pdf • Volvogroup.com (2012) Collecting Driving Data to Improve Safety, http://www.volvogroup.com/group/global/en-gb/researchandtechnology/transport_society/enhancing_safety/collecting_data_for_safety/Pages/collecting_data_for_safety.aspx