Northern Arizona University expands Center of Data Insight

By expanding its Center of Data Insight (CDI), Northern Arizona University will be able to offer business executives short courses in data mining and knowledge discovery.

The expansion, co-sponsored by SAS Institute and KPMG includes a new training and research room and adds to the CDI laboratory. Among the upgrades is a parallel computer, where companies can mine data with technologies including SAS’s data mining software Enterprise Miner.

KPMG will be using the technology at CDI this week for training sessions in its new knowledge-discovery process and data mining program.

"We are currently seeing a high demand for advanced analytics in customer relationship management projects. KPMG has a leading CRM practice and is leveraging the CDI heavily in its solution set since measuring the customer relationship is central to managing it," said Ken Collier, KPMG's senior manager for knowledge management solutions.

The importance of data mining in KM was also spoken to from CDI.

"Data mining is a maturing technology that is now ready to enter the mainstream of business practices," said Bern Carey, CDI director. "A few years ago, only a few companies had the foresight to consider applying data-mining technologies for improving business practices. Now, many companies are recognizing that data mining provides a competitive advantage. Such companies are looking for ways to train their staffs in how to best understand and deploy data mining in their organizations. The new CDI training center will support those needs by offering short courses customized to business needs.