Data mining provides real benefits

New research from Ovum indicates that concerns over product maturity are no longer a reason for organisations to hold back on data mining projects.

In Ovum Evaluates: Data Mining, Ovum points out that new product releases over the past six months offer users a significant improvement in terms of functionality and useability.

Although exciting, Ovum points out that data mining can also be a confusing technology. "Users must learn new concepts and procedures," says Eric Woods, senior analyst at Ovum and lead author on the report. "Above all, data mining requires a commitment and desire to use information in new ways."

For these reasons data mining is still the preserve of early adopters many of whom are leading corporations in the finance, retail and telecommunications sectors.

The report also found that while benefits are real, work still needs to be done for data mining to become a mainstream technology. Vendors must improve the useability of their products and make them more applicable to real business problem, the report said.