Large, multi-purpose business application suites are on their way out, and honestly, that’s not a very bold statement. The true needs of business vary immensely. Very similar companies may do things very differently. Even in the same company, different business units usually need vastly different tools and capabilities to support their role. And as business conditions change, tools and capabilities need to be adjusted or changed. 

Cloud provides instant adjustment, customization, and scalability at the click of a button. Swap out one SAAS for another! Never before have the capabilities of a business been so open to interpretation and experimentation. The “cloud” might as well be called a “canvas.” 

By now, I think it’s safe to say that Facebook has become something of a standard-bearer in several industries, especially media, advertising, and in the monetization of data. While not everyone is OK with how they accomplished it—transforming massive amounts of user data into a product—we think there’s plenty for us to learn from pioneers of data monetization like Facebook, both good and bad.

If you’re a company executive who’s been considering getting into a business that deals in monetized data, you should be considering the possibility with eyes wide open. As with any new thing in business—and the monetization of data represents an entirely new industry—you should focus on taking measures to mitigate risk before going all-in.

It's really important that you take this preparation seriously. While the specifics of what you'll need to do will vary according to the type of company you currently are, there are definitely some basic steps you should take before putting together and executing your plan to enter the data business.

In the next year and beyond, calls for digital transformation will grow louder across the boardrooms of American manufacturing companies. Those calls shouldn't be ignored.

Why? Because one way or another, cloud technology, edge computing, and all things digital transformation are about to directly impact your bottom line and product strategy. Whether that'll be good for you or not depends...do you want to stay ahead of the game or play catch-up? Do you want a proactive or reactive product strategy?

Digital transformation technologies are revolutionizing the healthcare industry by improving access to information and treatment options for doctors and patients. Here's a look at several specific ways these improvements are happening. It is possible today to move data across platforms, EMR systems and more, plus it is HIPAA compliment at the same time.