In just one year, the digital world has developed enough data to fill a stack of DVDs the length of a round trip from Earth to the Moon and back. The number is from the study “What is the X of the Issue in Relation to Data?”, by BSA|The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org), the main defender of the global software sector before governments and in the international market, which brings together companies of software and innovation from around the world.
“The forecast is that the use of data will generate a profit of US$ 1.6 trillion over the next four years”, says BSA's country manager for Brazil, Antonio Eduardo Mendes da Silva (Pitanga). The use of this information causes extraordinary changes and progress around the world. Discover eight areas below, mapped by the BSA survey, where the intelligent use of data is changing the lives of thousands of people.
AGRICULTURE
By using data analysis tools, farmers can reduce input costs, pesticide and chemical use, and improve productivity by 5-10 times. Brazil, one of the largest soy producers in the world, is investing in the technology.
HEALTH
Overall, if the healthcare industry used data more effectively to increase efficiency and quality, it is estimated that the industry could save over US$ 300 billion per year, reducing spending by a staggering 8%. The biggest impacts, however, are not just in the money saved, but in the lives saved. For example, by combining real-time data with patients' medical histories, researchers have developed a machine learning algorithm capable of predicting cardiac arrest four hours in advance and with 66% accuracy. In Kenya, another example, scientists used cell phone data to analyze and identify areas where malaria was spreading. This information guided the government in actions against the disease.
MANUFACTURING
Data also helps to improve initiatives in this area. Data-driven digital designs enhance the interactive design process, allowing engineers and specialists to test multiple ideas, tweaking them in the virtual environment until they finally arrive at the ideal product design. Toyota, Fiat and Nissan, for example, have reduced development time for new models from 30% to 50% through the collaborative use of data and modeling techniques.
FISHING
In 2004, after the tsunami that hit Indonesia, local fishermen received cell phones that guaranteed them access to information about the fishing market, material to which they never had access before. Its turnover rose 30%.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
In Barcelona, Spain, the city government is analyzing data to make the city smarter, improving services provided by the government and offering more sustainable urban mobility solutions.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Vietnam is using 3D scanners to digitize historical artifacts. The goal is to catalog more than 40,000 pieces over the next five years.
ENERGY
Using data design tools, buildings can be designed to use less energy and equipped with intelligent systems that combine large amounts of sensor data with operations analytics. It is estimated that the sum of savings that smart buildings can generate for years for companies is US$ 25 billion.
TRANSPORT
Currently new cars are equipped with sensors that can generate up to 25 gigabytes of data per hour and contain 10 million lines of software code just to process the data. This data is used to feed safety systems whose impact can be similar to wearing seat belts, reducing injuries and deaths by up to 50%. In the United States, major companies in the automotive sector are already designing vehicles equipped with hundreds of sensors and analysis tools that are enabling advances such as autonomous parking and anti-collision systems. On the aviation side, a performance improvement of 1%, generated by data, could save US$ 30 billion in fuel over 15 years around the world.
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