Case Study 1: The Big Data Challenges
James (JT) Clark
Professor Elhag Ibrahim
Information System for Decision-Making
10/31/2012

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Case Study 1: The Big Data Challenges
Introduction

I feel as though Volvo integrated the cloud infrastructure into its networks very well. It took the proactive approach instead of being reactive. It applied this to all aspects to their vehicles. Volvo chooses to have the cloud work for them and it saved them money in the end. They had a centralized data base in which all their information was gathered and stored and from there it was turned from raw knowledge into useful information.

Volvo Car Corporation Integrates the Cloud into Its Networks
Volvo had the ability to collectively harness the information that they collected information from the hundreds of sensors that were embedded throughout the cars. This data was being captured for use from the vehicle and transmitted via the cloud back to the manufacture. This data was streamed into a centralized analysis hub, where they were being used by the customer relationship systems, dealership systems, and product development and designs systems. This way they could share information about any particular vehicle and any problem that they may be experiencing and stop an issues before it gets out of hand.
How Volvo Car Corporation Transforms Data into Knowledge
They are taking the data that they are receiving from the vehicles and putting it all together. This way they are pre-warned about potential problems that may arise is their vehicles. By applying a set of well-honed lean processes, Volvo is immediately able to resolve the problem by adjusting its manufacturing process or going back to its suppliers to request improvements. “Before it get out into, perhaps, 500,000 units, we can stop an issue when spotted in the first 1,000 units. (Strader, 2011)
Volvo Implements a Real-Time Information System The Volvo Group participated in the Technology Adoption Program for Microsoft Project 2010 so that it would be able to provide prerelease feedback on process flexibility. The group was intrigued by Microsoft Project Server 2010 because it would offer better ways of planning resource deployment, more features in its Web Client, and close interoperation with Microsoft SharePoint 2010. Volvo IT runs Project Server 2010 on a mixture of virtual servers and quad core physical servers featuring 4 gigabytes of RAM. It plans to migrate all 2,200 of its users to the new software by the end of calendar year 2010. With Project Server 2010, the Volvo Group gains a better view of its resourcing needs. We can use Project Server 2010 to better anticipate whether we need more resources, “says Stephanie Perrin. With that anticipation the Group can better manage staff and contractors. “For example, if you have to stop a project, Project Server 2010 makes it much easier to reassign people, because you know where they are and what they are doing. With better visibility into our resource assignments, we are able to reassign engineers and contractors in only a few weeks compared to a few months are the past.” (Volvo Group, 2010) Big Data Gives Volvo a Competitive Advantage

References

Strader. (2011). Convertig Data into Business Value at Volvo. www.i-cio.com.
Volvo Group. (2010, September 8). Retrieved October 31, 2012, from Microsoft Case Studies: www.microsoft.com