Alumni Lecture: Geoff Fawkes - Introduction to Analytics and Big Data - Hadoop
Date: Thurs., Nov 21, 2013
Time: 6 pm (Networking starts at 6 pm, lecture starts at 6:30 pm)
Location: Rm 836, X-Wing, ICICS/CS Bldg., 2366 Main Mall
Speaker: Geoff Fawkes, Director of Engineering, Teradata
RSVP below
Abstract
From Wikipedia, "Big Data"is the term for a collection of data sets so large and complex that it becomes difficult to process using on-hand databasemanagement tools, or traditional data processing applications. The challenges include capture, curation, storage,search, sharing, transfer, analysis,and visualization. The trend to larger data sets is due to the additional information derivable from analysis of a single large set of related data, as compared to separate smaller sets with the same total amount of data. This allows correlations to be found, to spot business trends, determine quality of research, prevent diseases, combat crime, and determine real-time roadway traffic conditions. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_data.
In this introductory discussion, the data challenges from a business perspective will be presented, real-world business problems will be explored and Hadoop and it's associated technologies will be explained. HDFS, MapReduce and the related ecosystem projects will be introduced. This discussion is targeted at those engineering professionals who are interested in the related technologies. They may have little or no background experience, but are looking to leverage these technologies in their organizations. Ample time will be given for Hadoop Use Case discussion and the audience is invited to bring discussion problems for group comments, or submit in advance.
Personal Bio: Geoff Fawkes, MBA, B.Sc.
Geoff Fawkes is a technology executive with a background in software development and business operational management spanning the past 20+ years. Since 2011, he has been in the role of Director, Engineering at Teradata leading the Toronto and Beijing architecture, engineering and testing teams. In addition to his engineering responsibilities, he served as the site IT infrastructure lead for the Teradata analytical database hardware and IT support systems for the Canada-wide sales and R&D groups. He has 10+ years expertise in offshore software development in India, China and Brazil, having structured and mentored teams to grow their expertise globally.
His experience spans industries and technologies including Demand Chain Management (DCM), international banking, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and telecommunications. Prior to Teradata, he was at HSBC Bank Group development in Vancouver for 7+ years with his most recent role as Director, Business Systems engineering for global mobile/personal internet banking systems. He has held various prior leadership/developer roles at Ingenium, Pivotal, Newbridge/Alcatel and Inmarsat. He holds an MBA degree from Simon Fraser University and a B.Sc. degree in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia.
Geoff is married to his lovely wife of 22 years and has two kids, 20 and 14 year old daughters. He enjoys playing old timers hockey, mountain/hybrid/road cycling and his passion snowboarding. He is a certified Level 1 snowboard instructor and will be volunteering at Grouse Mountain as a certified OEC Ski Patroller for the coming winter season.