IBM Advanced Analytics Center Opens in Columbus, Ohio

Big Blue's new Advanced Analytics Solutions Center in Columbus is aimed at boosting innovation and job opportunities by focusing on big data and analytics.

To address the need for a more analytical skilled workforce, Ohio State and IBM are collaborating on new business and technology curricula to help students and mid-career professionals gain the latest skills in analytics and prepare for high-value jobs in the future. New courses of study are in development at the undergraduate, graduate and executive education levels that will include access to the center's technology assets and thought leaders.

"In order for business leaders to solve the societal challenges of the future, they must integrate critical-thinking skills with expertise in their fields," E. Gordon Gee, Ohio State's president, said in a statement. "The ability to apply a wholly new level of analytical insights and solutions will bolster our nation's role as a competitive global leader and be the catalyst for the next frontier of economic growth."

The partnership between Ohio State and IBM is part of an ongoing effort IBM has with more than 200 other academic organizations to expand and strengthen education curricula globally to meet the growing demand for highly skilled analytics business professionals.

"Our strong collaboration with IBM will help our students across a variety of majors gain the latest skills in this burgeoning big data discipline and set them on a path to secure the high skilled jobs of the future," Christine A. Poon, dean of Ohio State's Fisher College of Business, said in a statement.

As part of its academic initiative, IBM is providing Ohio State with curriculum materials, relevant case studies, access to a wide spectrum of software solutions, IBM guest speakers and faculty awards to accelerate program development.

IBM said its new center will provide a delivery and prototype testing environment for clients to explore new ways that advanced analytics and cognitive systems can improve decision making. The center will also be connected to 200 IBM client centers globally, as well as IBM's network of eight Analytics Solution Centers with expertise in financial risk management, rail and transportation, and the specific needs of state, local and federal government organizations.

IBM has established a solid portfolio of analytics solutions, including nearly 9,000 business analytics consultants and 400 researchers around the world. IBM has secured hundreds of patents a year in analytics, and has acquired more than 30 companies to build targeted analytics and information expertise since 2005. In addition, the company continues to expand its ecosystem, which today consists of more than 27,000 business partners.