A Conversation About Machine Learning and Big Data
Dominika Słomka : Hi Wojciech, I'm glad we were able to invite such a database and machine learning expert as you to our blog! 🚀 Data Science seems like a bit of a mystery to many, but more and more companies are embracing data analysis and are pinning their hopes on it for improving their efficiency and savings.
Before we introduce our readers to the world of Machine Learning, Data Science, and databases, tell us briefly who you are and what summ-it does?
Wojciech Wencel : Hi Dominika, thank you for the invitation. I hope readers will find this interview valuable.
I've been involved with data and its professional processing for over 15 years. I've worked for Polish companies and a British pharmaceutical company, where I was responsible for maintaining a service consisting of over 9500 database systems using a "follow the sun" model. While working in Poland and the UK, I observed digital transformation and pursued the company's goals. I then thought it would be worthwhile to pursue my own. Thus, summ-it was born. Today, our company is a dynamically growing organization dedicated to maintaining database systems 24/7. We currently support over 8500 databases. Simultaneously, we built a BI department that creates data warehouses, which serve as a central data source for the organization, a so-called "single source of truth," and reports that allow for visualization of everything collected by the company's systems. Finally, we have a great DEV department, responsible for developing applications that interface with data and integrate them between systems. The DEV department also develops our own product, Superb DBA (more: www.superbdba.com ). As a team, we ensure system security and availability, and we analyze and report data collected by our clients.
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The unique value of summ-it is the guarantee of access to data and its adequate analysis.
DM: Why does summ-it deal with data?
WW : The purpose of my business stems from several reasons. One is my passion for database systems, which I transferred to the company during its founding. Another, very pragmatic, reason is the growth of data in the world. The amount of data is duplicated approximately every two years. This means that, as a knowledge-based society, we need data and will certainly need it in the future.
DM: How important is a well-constructed database for a company?
WW : The database design, or perhaps better said, its structure, is the foundation of the system, including the way data is stored. Proper system design is a necessary condition for storing data in such a way that, despite its large growth, the system will be able to quickly respond to our queries.
DM: Why do you think data analysis is one of the most important trends recently?
WW: They say data is the oil of the 21st century. Essentially, those who know more and faster are able to achieve better results, i.e., a competitive advantage. In today's knowledge-based economy, in my opinion, data analysis is the greatest asset.
DM: Based on Summ-it's experience, are more and more companies choosing to implement such solutions (data analysis, automation)? If so, in which areas in particular?
WW : We see demand for our services—database system maintenance, analysis, and reporting—in every business area, regardless of industry. Our clients come from the financial, retail, and manufacturing sectors, as well as government entities.
DM: What does Machine Learning give us?
WW : Machine learning is the use of artificial intelligence- based models that, when trained, allow for the automation of processes, and consequently, the transfer of responsibility for decision-making from humans to machines. Implementing machine learning in processes allows for their automation and the exclusion of the human factor where previously thought impossible.
DM: How does artificial intelligence help in data processing?
WW: Artificial intelligence algorithms are implemented in machine learning. Years ago, when I was involved in AI (artificial intelligence), we focused on neural networks. Appropriate training, so-called "training," enabled the network to make automatic decisions, such as classifying data sets. Today, these algorithms are implemented in machine learning, so we don't have to delve into the scientific issues surrounding neural networks; we simply "train" the system. This simplification allows us to achieve business goals faster.
DM: How can companies use Machine Learning to build competitiveness?
WW : An obvious benefit of ML is the already mentioned automation of processes and exclusion of the human factor, which allows for data processing on a larger scale and with a shorter response time.
Let me give you an example from our field. Today, summ-it supports over 8500 database systems. To ensure our customers receive the highest quality of service, we must monitor and configure these systems to meet the expected standards. As you can probably imagine, the more systems, the more people needed to support them.
But if you look at our Superb DBA product, which automates the process, you'll notice that thanks to new technologies, we can offload some of the monitoring and change recommendation tasks to the system, freeing up human resources. Consequently, our clients receive significantly better service quality than our competitors.
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DM: What are the benefits of Machine Learning, not only for companies themselves but also for their customers?
WW : It depends on how you define the concept of a client. For example, let's assume our client is Verseo, which uses advanced data analysis and machine learning algorithms to deliver a new level of service to its clients. Verseo automates the SEO campaign management process by allowing the machine to select appropriate parameters, making the campaign even more tailored to the end client's needs.
Perhaps from the customer's perspective, it doesn't matter whether we use ML or other technologies. What matters is the results, namely the speed of decision-making and the quality of service, and thanks to the technologies discussed, it's simply better.
DM: And lastly, what knowledge is worth expanding and what should we learn in the future to be ready for such solutions?
WW : Fascinated by this field, I'm currently working on my doctoral thesis on building autonomous database systems. I'm trying to leverage new technologies and contribute something of my own to this field of knowledge.
However, I assume that not everyone will be interested in delving into this topic so deeply, so I suggest that those who would like to form their own opinion on the subject read the book 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari. One section takes an ideological approach to the topic – I highly recommend it.
And finally, traditional organic 🙂
Wojciech Wencel (CEO, summ-it sp. z o. o.)
Wojciech WencelAn experienced Service and Project Manager, managing change and implementing innovative IT solutions. He focuses primarily on data security. He has managed the services of 9500 databases distributed worldwide.
He currently leads an organization providing database and business intelligence maintenance services to clients in the finance, trade, manufacturing, and public sectors. Systems implemented and supported by summ-it process large volumes of data, often sensitive data.
summ-it provides solutions related to the administration and maintenance of database systems, as well as the creation of data warehouses, which enable reporting on the status of processes within the organization. This strong specialization allows the company to fulfill orders for clients not only in Poland but also in international markets. More details can be found on the summ-it website.
Summ-it FAQs
Wojciech Wencel is an experienced Service and Project Manager, as well as the founder and CEO of summ-it. His organization specializes in maintaining 24/7 database systems and implementing Business Intelligence (BI) solutions, building centralized data warehouses for enterprises.
Having previously worked for international corporations (including those in Poland and the UK), Wojciech Wencel closely observed digital transformation processes and realized the business goals of these giants (he managed nearly 9500 databases worldwide). He decided to turn the valuable experience he gained into his own business and pursue his own goals, thus giving birth to summ-it.
There were two main reasons for this. First, the founder's great personal passion for database systems. Second, pure pragmatism. The amount of data in the world doubles approximately every two years, and in the modern knowledge-based economy, it is the skillful analysis of this information that provides the greatest value to companies.
The unique value that summ-it provides to its clients is reliable, adequate information analysis and a full guarantee of uninterrupted access to the collected data.
Currently, summ-it is a rapidly growing organization that monitors, supports, and configures over 8500 database systems every day, ensuring that they meet all stringent quality and security standards.
Summary
The above article covers the following topics:
- practical applications of Machine Learning in business,
- benefits of automation.
