Demand for Big Data Solutions to Reach $7.2 Billion by 2017

Deltek, Inc., provider of enterprise software and information solutions for professional services firms and government contractors, is forecasting robust growth in federal spending on big data solutions that bucks the downward trend in other areas of government spending.

The rise of big data and other key findings are detailed in Deltek’s new report Federal Big Data Outlook, FY 2012-2017 (103 pages, $3,900).

Federal spending on vendor-supplied big data solutions is expected to increase from just under $5 billion in 2012, to $7.2 billion by 2017. big data solutions generally encompass a broad range of services, IT hardware and software products, which include advanced analytics programs and data visualization and management tools. Driving this spending surge is a critical need to turn big data into knowledge so it can be applied for better decision making about countless public safety matters, including thwarting terrorism and developing cures for communicable diseases.

Agencies have been engaged in big data initiatives for years under various names, but lately the applicability of big data approaches has grown beyond computing massive amounts of scientific data. Executive orders and legislation has directed agencies to make more effective use of data in operational and strategic decisions. In short, investment in big data solutions must enable tangible results for agencies.

"Big data solutions will not and should not be implemented just for big data’s sake," says Deltek analyst Angie Petty. "ROI for these initiatives will not always be measured in costs savings or cost avoidance, but rather in the price to the nation if smart decisions are not made quickly, such as detecting terrorist threats or avoiding massive disease outbreaks."

The wave of incoming data is anticipated to expand and accelerate over the next five years for most government agencies. The report notes that as current IT infrastructures become more networked to a greater variety of endpoint devices, management, storage and analysis of incoming data to make better decisions will continue to be a challenge for agencies facing budget cuts and declining resources.

"The good news is big data solutions are becoming more affordable," said Deltek analyst Alex Rossino. "Plus, many federal agencies already have several years of experience handling massive data sets, so they aren’t starting from scratch when it comes to using advanced analytics. As these solutions evolve, agencies also will be able to leverage big data analytics in the cloud, making greater computing power and analytical capabilities available on a wider basis than ever before."

Other key drivers for big data include:

• Rapidly expanding data sets that can no longer be analyzed for insights using traditional computing and analytical tools
• Desire to use data to increase efficiency, reduce costs and fulfill agency missions
• Increased affordability of analytics solutions
• Shift toward cloud computing by agency IT, enabling greater computing and analytical capabilities.