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Discounting for a moment the vast quantities of data already in existence, there is a bewildering volume of new data that is being created each and every day. Every minute of every day, YouTube users upload 48 hours of video and Facebook users share 684,478 pieces of content - it is easy to see how the term 'Big Data' originated.

This information - and much more besides - is delivered via a whole array of devices and platforms, and people want to access it on multiple devices too. This move toward multi-channel big data is inherently complex and can mean a headache for those involved with document management.

MAKING SENSE OF YOUR DATA
It seems every day there is yet more technology that will help turn your Big Data into true business insight. Yet IT departments are still struggling to find ways to capture, manage, make sense of and ultimately derive value from, their data and information. Part of the issue is that people try to change too much, too soon; the process needs to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. But incorporating Big Data within document management will pay off in the long-run. Here are some key points to remember when thinking about Big Data and how to manage it within your document management systems:

1. Look for solutions to the problem in hand: There is so much new software technology, made readily accessible via open source, but this can distract us from the problems we should be trying to solve today. Don't get too carried away with what the technology can do that you forget to solve the problems that are arising with your document management in the here and now.

2. But remember the past: We need to stay present in the day-to-day problems of Big Data and not be so focused on the future that we forget the past. Semantic Analysis is really interesting, but what about identifying what is in front of us and figuring out how to integrate existing data sources, like data warehouses or operational systems first, and then identify more readily available Big Data sources? Let's not forget everything we've done to date, let's look to make it better, stronger and faster.

3. Unification is the way forward: Organisations need to start thinking about this; it makes sense that the facilitating systems and back-office processes are unified rather than operating in silos. This can be an issue at the best of times, so the addition of Big Data to the content flowing through your organisation can magnify these issues.

4. Know what to keep and what to throw out: With the sheer volume of Big Data it is important to identify what should be kept and what should not. Some Big Data is of immense value but much of it is not, so to ease the strain on your document management systems, only keep the stuff worth analysing. This applies to the content already clogging up your document management systems too!

5. Don't fear the chaos: Don't worry about data that you don't understand yet or cannot easily categorise within your document management system. Unstructured data sources such as emails, blogs and beyond can eventually be evaluated and understood with time.

6. Match your skills to the task: Learn to match the Big Data problems you have with the skills you already have at your disposal. Don't waste time worrying that you don't have the right skills or how long it will take to get up to speed with new skills, and instead focus on the skills you have already mastered to solve the problems at hand.

7. Focus on known problems: Teach yourself to look for the problems that can be easily and quickly (relatively) solved, rather than trying to find a new problem. It may be intellectually stimulating to seek the unknown, but you will have more success if you know you are looking for a needle, rather than randomly jumping into haystacks hoping that you sit on something painful.

8. Big Data = big mistakes: Incorporating Big Data in document management systems is complex and mistakes will be made. Don't be fearful of this but do learn from them. mYou can learn more from your mistakes that you can from basking in your early successes. In essence the analytic process is trial and error anyway. If you succeed, refine your analysis, if you fail, refine your analysis. In both cases you've become better equipped for the next iteration.

9. Don't get scared, get engaged: There are plenty of worries and problems facing Big Data, especially so when you factor in document management too. But don't let these problems overwhelm you. The goal should not be to run in fear away from the problems, but instead to run toward them and engage in Big Data discussions whenever possible in order to move forward productively. If you stand still, you'll be passed by your competitors who are also running the race for your customers' business.

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