Microsoft’s Heavy Investment in Big Data
Just about anyone who is anybody is getting into the Big Data business these days. Whether they have specific divisions dedicated to data science, or they work with subsidiaries or tertiary companies, big data becomes a must. Recently, the granddaddy of all home computing, Microsoft, announced plans to get into data science in a “big” way.
Microsoft announced it purchased Metanautix, a big data-focused company. So, instead of starting a data science program from scratch, Microsoft was able to buy a successful startup and begin from ahead.
In the beginning, Metanautix functioned well on its own, bringing in independent cash and working as a self-sustaining software developer. Those days are over. Microsoft plans to consume the company and repurpose its established data platform, server, and analytics suites.
For their part, in a public social media post, the top brass at Metanautix expressed glee over the purchase, saying: “It’s been a thrilling ride before we begin the next exciting chapter I’d like to take a moment to thank our amazing team who has made all of this possible…”
Fairly standard stuff from the CEO of a startup that just got handed the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Particularly given the fact some market watchers believed Metanautix to be success rich but cash poor heading into next year. The company was running thin, raising less and all but scraping by. Still, they had enough there for Microsoft to grab onto and pull into its ever-shifting stable of computing-based businesses.
This is an interesting development for Big Data in general because of the value shown for a company with established cash problems. Sure, they had done well, but Microsoft didn’t need another “maybe” brand that had done well in the past, but may have been in the early signs of a struggle. Something, then, pushed them over the edge.
Simply put, it was the product itself. Big data is an ultimate growth industry. The proliferation of digital and wireless communication and interaction along with the Internet of Things and the increasing dependence on smartphones makes anything that can collect and analyze an endless stream of wildly diverse data all but priceless. That’s what Metanautix represented to Microsoft — an opportunity to do something well that they knew they would have to be doing on their own anyway.
Jonah Engler is an entrepreneur who loves coffee.
