Most people have probably heard about clustering, artificial intelligence or association analysis. But what do these things really mean? Are they useful in day-to-day business? And how do you apply them?

The importance of analytical skills in an information-driven world should not be new. Many companies have long been aware that there is an enormous wealth of knowledge in the mass of data generated during comprehensive digitization that needs to be harnessed. But the realization of the significance must be followed by efforts to implement it.

Dr. Olav Bagusat, Head of Group Sales to Major Customers, Germany, at Volkswagen AG: “Digital data processing, telematics applications and, building on this, the derivation of new mobility services are reported almost daily in the specialist media of the fleet business. If one asks more deeply about the specific approaches, procedures, and methods with which these data are to be collected, one inevitably comes across descriptive and conclusive statistical procedures. It is important to us to strengthen this competence in our team and to approach this fascinating topic of ’data analytics' with an experienced partner from the university landscape."

In collaboration with Prof. Dr. Mathias Bärtl, Faculty B+W and member of the Institute for Trade and Innovation (IfTI) of the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, a feasibility study on data analytics approaches in the corporate customer business of Volkswagen AG was launched.

Prof. Bärtl: “I am thrilled by the motivation with which companies are increasingly focusing on exciting analytical approaches in their efforts. Of course, it is an absolute privilege for me to be part of one of the world’s largest corporations when data makes exciting correlations visible on the screen and thus brings them to life."