This is a guest post from Dave Feenan who is a key promoter of the CloudArena Group. Find out more on the CloudArena LinkedIn group.

We are all used to the saying “Water Water everywhere but not a drop to drink”. Change the word “Water to Data” and do we now have “Data Data everywhere but not a byte makes sense”.

The explosion in the increase of data is becoming one of the top challenges for organisations. Historically this increase was viewed as a requirement for additional storage and backup infrastructure. Today thanks to the availability of web-enabled devices, Business Intelligence and Analytics are now a defacto requirement. Gone are the days of yesterday’s spreadsheets and reports to be replaced by modern Dashboard and Real-Time Data access. Business owners and line managers need access to accurate Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Metrics to enable appropriate decision making. It is not just businesses that are availing of BI. Smart meters will soon arrive into our homes and look at the level of information now provided when you watch live sport on TV.

On Wednesday 19th October, CloudArena will host a free to attend BI and Analytics seminar to discuss this topic. IBM, one of the many organisations taking part, will talk about how they deployed technology to enhance the audience’s real-time engagement at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Microsoft, Fujitsu, Cloud Consulting, Staff Balance and Enterprise Ireland backed companies, Jlizard and Treemetrics will all elaborate on how BI is a game changing advantage for us all.

What can BI do for your organisation? You do not want you to get left behind and to be told “Game, Set and Match” to your competitors by your customers.

This event is part of the Innovation Dublin 2011 Festival.To register www.cloud-arena.com