Competing with Data

October 18, 2023

Read The Full Prompt

Many organizations use large data and data analytics as an essential asset in their business. Think about how Waze collects and analyzes millions of queries every day to estimate traffic flows, or UPS uses hundreds of thousands of sensors to track millions of packages each day to feed users information about the progress of their shipments.

For this assignment, please choose a company that uses large data or data analytics to enhance its business. In other words, big data can be valuable in the context of offering a service or as a complement to another business process. What type of processes generate and renew that asset? What type of investments and process put that asset to use, and creates value for the company? How does the company capture value from large data and analytics? What challenges did the company have to overcome to make use of the assets? What challenges and opportunities do you anticipate for the company in the near term?

Devote most of the space to value creation, but feel free to make observations about aspects of the value capture strategy. (Once again, to make it interesting, please stay away from big data use by the big five – Amazon, Google, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft.)

750 words max

Assignment

Create an approximately 750 word post to make your contribution by October 18 at 6 p.m.

Please use graphics, data, videos, and links to other sites to corroborate your points. These additional links do not count against your word limit.

Please also respond to and comment on three other posts per module. Comments are due by October 19 at 9 a.m.

Selected posts will be discussed in class. Please prepare a 2-3 min summary of your blog post before class.

If you have any problems with the d3.harvard.edu platform, please visit the digital platform resources page for helpful advice or email d3@harvard.edu for help.

Submitted (15)

Disney’s Magical Big Data Transformation
EleanorM
Posted on October 15, 2023 at 10:16 am
By investing in digital technology and big data, Walt Disney World Resort was able to increase attendance despite rising prices while maintaining the magical, personal experience that visitors have come to expect.
Today’s Forecast: A High of AccuWeather Leveraging Data in their Forecasting, a Low of Dealing with Climate Change
Ben P
Last modified on October 16, 2023 at 6:16 pm
Understanding how AccuWeather leverages data to provide the most accurate weather forecasts on the market.
Ramp: Revolutionizing Corporate Finance with Intelligent Solutions
Ankit Tandon
Last modified on October 16, 2023 at 3:56 pm
How Ramp is changing the way companies spend with delightful products and intelligent solutions
Warner Bros. Discovery: Enhancing Viewer Experience on MAX
Asra Khan
Last modified on October 16, 2023 at 10:52 pm
Warner Bros. Discovery uses data-driven strategy to build a trusted brand and ‘Max’imise personalized content in a competitive streaming world.
Driven by Data: HUK-Coburg’s Road to Insurance Success
RuruH
Posted on October 15, 2023 at 6:30 pm
🚗📊 Unlocking Auto-Insurance Innovation: HUK-Coburg leverages telematics & AI to revolutionize premiums based on driving behavior 🛣️💡
Carnival Corporation: MagicBand 2.0?
Sreeni
Posted on October 16, 2023 at 9:35 pm
Carnival Corporation, one of the world’s leading cruise operators, uses data and technology at its core for operational improvement, cost reduction and guest experiences at scale with their Ocean Medallion IoT wearable device and Microsoft’s Azure cloud-native edge services.
Ford’s Bets on Big Data
cs24
Posted on October 15, 2023 at 12:45 pm
This post examines Ford's bets on utilizing extensive data and analytics as an essential asset to their business. It covers 3 data examples, the value captured, and potential challenges.
Tesla: More than just autopilot
dwang
Last modified on October 17, 2023 at 6:00 pm
An exploration of Tesla's true competitive advantage: its data
BIG Data in Tesla Inc.
Sam Wang
Last modified on October 17, 2023 at 5:26 pm
As a car company that is also categorized as a "big tech" company, Tesla not only revolutionized the car industry with its EVs (Electric Vehicles) but also with its usage of Big Data. We would dive deep into the core [...]
Big Data Revolutionizing Samsung Operations and Product Development
A.D
Posted on October 17, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Samsung use of data analytics in electronics product development and semiconductor manufacturing
Behind the Controller: How PlayStation Mastered Data Analytics
Wabantu Hlophe
Last modified on October 17, 2023 at 12:58 pm
How PlayStation leveraged big data and analytics to create unparalleled gaming experiences while tackling privacy, regulation, and competition challenges.
 Fit, Facts, Flair, and Figures: A Foray Into StichFix’s Data-Driven Styling Services
Aliza Ohnouna
Posted on October 17, 2023 at 12:45 pm
Stitchfix, a personal styling company that relies on data and algorithms to make recommendations to people, has yet to properly balance its use of human capital and compute power.
Personalized Care: CVS’s Transformation in Data Analytics
Serena Fang
Posted on October 17, 2023 at 5:59 pm
In recent years, CVS has launched a series of digital transformations such as telehealth, personalized healthcare to enhance its human-centric service. The digital transformation demonstrates effectiveness during COVID-19 and continues to provide better care for its customers.
Splunk: Navigating the Digital Landscape with Data-Driven Insights
Mellissa Kim OConnor
Posted on October 16, 2023 at 10:51 pm
In the fast-paced digital landscape, safeguarding digital assets while staying agile is a pressing challenge. As cyber threats evolve and digital operations become complex, a unified platform with real-time visibility, advanced analytics, and seamless collaboration is essential. Splunk's dedication to [...]
How Cordada is Using Data Science to Revolutionize SME Financing in Latin America
Carmen Edwards
Posted on October 17, 2023 at 11:46 pm
Discover how Cordada is leveraging data analytics to revolutionize SME financing in Latin America. From value creation to overcoming challenges, here's an inside look.