Channel handed the keys to IBM Watson

Big Blue describes launch of analytics tool as its 'biggest announcement in a decade'

IBM has unleashed the power of its Watson supercomputer to businesses in the form of its Watson Analytics service.

The "cognitive computing" supercomputer – named after IBM founder Thomas Watson – uses artificial intelligence to process and analyse data. It has produced its own brand of BBQ sauce based on what it thinks humans will like as well as won US game show Jeopardy.

Now the supercomputer's brainpower can be harnessed by businesses after Big Blue unveiled its Watson Analytics tool, which it claims is its "biggest announcement in a decade".

The service, which will be available through the IBM Cloud marketplace, offers businesses a range of analytics tools designed to help users understand key facts such as which benefits drive employee retention the most and what the main drivers are behind product sales.

According to a report released by Gartner earlier this week, 73 per cent of organisations are investing, or plan to invest, in big data – a seven per cent rise on 2013. The analyst claims companies are finally "getting off the fence" on big data.

IBM says its Watson Analytics tool reduces the skills needed to engage in advanced analytics.

"Instead of fumbling over data, searching for answers or testing hypotheses, the user can focus on understanding the business and effectively communicating results to stakeholders," the firm said.

Bob Picciano, senior vice president of IBM's Information and Analytics Group, added: "Watson Analytics is designed to help all business people – from sales reps on the road to company CEOs – see patterns, pursue ideas and improve all types of decisions."