DATA MINING

Data
Mining

This page assists you in learning more about data mining. The products are divided into 5 categories: 1) Case-based reasoning tools; 2) Fuzzy query and analysis tools; 3) Knowledge Discovery; 4) Neural Networks; and 5) Visualization.

Data mining is class of analytical applications that search for hidden patterns in a data base. Data mining is the process of sifting through large amounts of data to produce data content relationships. This is also known as data surfing. Data mining tools use a variety of techniques including case-based reasoning, data visualization, fuzzy query and analysis, and neural networks. Case-based reasoning tools provide a means to find records similar to a specified record or records. These tools let the user specify the "similarity" of retrieved records. Data visualization tools let the user easily and quickly view graphical displays of information from different perspectives. Check the data mining FAQ at http:// www.rpi.edu/~vanepa2/faq.html

CASE-BASED REASONING

Case-based reasoning tools, in the context of a relational database, provide a means to find records similar to a specified record or records. These tools let the user specify how 'similar' retrieved records should be.

KATE-CBR http://www.acknosoft.com/pContact.html. Vendor: AcknoSoft Product Description: KATE-CBR helps to solve problems by storing, retrieving and adapting past situations and cases. A "case" is usually a specific problem that has been previously encountered and solved. This case-based system compares the current problem with cases encountered in the past to determine if one of the earlier experiences can provide a solution. If a similar case does exist, the solution to a complex problem can be found in a matter of seconds. If the system retrieves a case that is similar but not entirely appropriate to the current problem, the case-based system will provide a new solution from known cases. The new case will be added to the case for future use. Demo? NO. However, it does explain how a decision tree is built from a case base. You can learn how this works by visiting their web site at http://www.acknosoft.com/pTechnology.html. Email: International office at: manago@acknosoft.com (Michel Manago). USA office at: nfrezouls@acknosoft.com (Nathalie Frezouls). Phone: International: (331) 56 24 22 00 (Paris, France) or USA: (281) 265-5360 (TX).

ESTEEM http:shai.com/esteem.html Vendor: Esteem Software Incorporated. Product Description: Esteem is a development tool for building decision making and problem solving applications which use reasoning on prior experience. Esteem allows the capture and retrieval of encapsulated experiences and the knowledge as cases, where each case consists of a problem and its solution. A problem can be solved by retrieving the solution to a similar problem and adjusting it to the current situation. Esteem has great flexibility and it offers general purpose case definition facilities, a wide range of developer selected similarity and retrieval options, techniques for incorporating rule-based inference for retrieval and case manipulation, the concept of nested case-bases, and specification of end-user functionality. Demo? NO. Email: esteem@is.netcom.com. Phone: (605) 655-7297.

FUZZY QUERY AND ANALYSIS TOOLS

"Fuzzy" tools make it easy for users to see results 'close' to a stated criterion. The tools are most useful when users are checking for multiple criteria and the user wants to vary the 'closeness' of each criterion.

CUBICALC http://www.electriciti.com/hl/cbc.html Vendor: HyperLogic.

Product Description: CubiCalc is a software tool for creating and using fuzzy rules. With CubiCalc, you write English-like IF-THEN rules and use its graphical editor to define fuzzy "adjectives." You can then apply the rules to your own data or use them in a simulated dynamic scenario. CubiCalc's highly interactive design is particularly useful for rapid prototyping and quick experiments. No programming is needed to set up your own plots, numeric displays, input and output data files, and interactive data entry windows. Hosted on Microsoft Windows, the interactive CubiCalc shell provides many facilities for using and analyzing results from a fuzzy rule base without requiring the use of external programming tools. The interactive shell is included with CubiCalc, CubiCalc RTC, and CubiCard. Demo? No, but there is some pictures of what the program looks like, and listings of its many features. Evaluation: This program looks like a very good Fuzzy Query and Analysis tool. It has many capabilities, and can combine fuzzy and non-fuzzy computations with this single tool. Email: prodinfo@hyperlogic.com Phone: (619) 746-2765 Fax: (619) 746-4089

fuzzyTECH for Business http://www.fuzzytech.com/index.htm Vendor: Inform Software Corporation.

Product Description: fuzzy TECH for business is very difficult to describe, so I will do so using their own words.."fuzzyTECH for Business is a complete, graphical design tool for the automation of decision making in financial and business applications." It is a truly amazing tool, which can be integrated with many different and popular software programs, including: VisualBasic, MS-Access, MS-Excel. This tool provides a basis for business and financial applications based on human experience and judgment. It allows you to view information, based on fuzzy logic, which allows you to do things like: Balance Sheet Auditing, Portfolio Control, Creditworthiness Evaluation, Stock and Currency Exchange Forecasting, Fraud and Forgery Detection, and Risk Analysis. You have to see it to believe it. It is really cool. DEMO? No, but you can view what it looks like on the site, they have extensive pictures of it in action, click here to see some examples. Evaluation: It looks extremely useful, and highly flexible. Email: hotline@inform-ac.com Phone: (630) 268-7550.

KNOWLEDGE DISCOVERY

Knowledge discovery tools are especially designed to identify significant relationships that exist among variables. The tools are useful when there are many possible relationships. For instance, a consumer goods company may track 200 variables about each consumer. To say the least, there are scores of possible relationships among the 200 variables. The data mining tool will help point out what are the significant relationships. By the way, once these relationships are identified, many of the other types of tools listed on this page are used to understand the nature of the relationships.

DATA DETECTIVE http://www.smr.nl/ DataDetective is Sentient's central data mining tool and has a modular design consisting of an associative analysis engine, a graphical user interface and interfaces to virtually all common database formats. Several analysis tasks are supported such as normal queries, fuzzy queries, profile analyses and extensive graphical report facilities. DataDetective offers several different products for different kinds of businesses, such as LookingGlass for marketing planning, AHS/PIRES for the Dutch police, and Software Development for customizes to a company's specific demands and wishes. Demo? NO Email: info@smr.nl Phone: 31 20 6186927 (Holland)

NUGGETS http://www.data-mine.com/ Nuggets is the powerful new data mining solution from Data Mining Technologies. Nuggets automatically sifts through your data and uncovers hidden facts and relationships. The insights which Nuggets can discover will reveal which indicators most impact your business, and help predict future results--paving the way to reduced costs and waste, and increased sales and profits. Nuggets works across industries, and is effective with a wide range of applications. It can help: identify the best market segments, reduce fraud, forecast equipment failures and maintenance needs, improve manufacturing quality control, and assist with medical studies and research. Demo? YES VIEW DEMO Evaluation: In the demo, Nuggets shows how their products work in a easy to follow slide show. Email: info@data-mine.com Phone: (516)692-4500

NEUTRAL NETWORKS

The aim of neural network technology is to discover and predict relationships in the data. What distinguishes neural networks from traditional statistics is that neural network models can be 'trained' to discover relationships that cannot be described with linear algebra and, supposedly, can compensate for a fair amount of poor data quality. Just like people, neural networks learn from experience, not from programming. Neural networks are good at pattern recognition, generalization, and trend prediction. They are fast, tolerant of imperfect data, and do not need formulas or rules. Neural networks are trained by repeatedly presenting examples to the network. Each example includes both inputs (information you would use to make a decision) and outputs (the resulting decision, prediction, or response).

BrainMaker http://www.calsci.com. Vendor: California Scientific Software. Description: Neural networks are named after the cells in the human brain that perform intelligent operations. BrainMaker Neural Network Software lets you use your computer for business and marketing forecasting, stock, bond, commodity, and futures prediction, pattern recognition, medical diagnosis, sports handicapping... almost any activity where you need special insight. Demo? No Email: sales@calsci.com Phone: (800) 284-8112.

Lodestone http://www.vectorspace.co.uk/ Vendor: Vector Space. Product Description: Lodestone considers every scrap of data you have, shows you which information is important and which you can ignore, and gives you an authoritative classification of your customers. Lodestone 's analysis not only exceeds the standards set by traditional methodologies but does it with an ease that beats all other packages. Because of the vast power of your PC it picks up patterns that are quite simply beyond the reach of normal statistical techniques. In addition, because of the automation of the calculating process Lodestone can be used by anyone, regardless of their statistical expertise. Demo? YES. Case studies at http://www.vectorspace.co.uk/casestud.html These are three examples of how different companies found solutions by using Lodestone. E-mail: info2vectorspace.co.uk Phone: 01372 844 916 (UK)

VISUALIZATION

The aim of data visualization tools is to let the user easily and quickly view graphical displays of information from different perspectives. For example, the tools let the user quickly see graphs of a different subsets of data or different summaries of data. I guess you could call data visualization graphical slicing and dicing.

VISUAL INSIGHTS http://www.visualinsights.com/. Vendor: Lucent Technologies Product Description: Visual Insights is the next generation user interface for business decision-making. Visual Insights is a new ventures group of Lucent Technologies. Visual Insights goes beyond traditional data representations of tables, text, and graphs by enhancing query techniques. Through these new techniques, users are able to analyze and present even the most complex and detailed data. Demo? YES View Demo Evaluation: Their demo reveals videos of highly intricate bar chart, parabox, and scatterplot components. You have to see it to believe it. Email: sales@visualinsights.com Phone: Visual Insights (630)713-0800 or Lucent Technologies (800)295-3067

PORTAL i3D GRAPH FACTORY http://www.em7.com/index.html/ Vendor: Lucent Technologies. Product Description: Portal i3D Graph Factory is a company formed by Electrohouse (em7) an enterprise and developer of solutions. Portal i3D Graph Factory introduces business-oriented users to a new virtual reality charting and graphing technology. The product enables a new class of hybrid "visual data mining" intelligence combining the decision-support power of data mining with the intuitive understanding of visualization. Electrohouse offers classes on their Portal i3D Graph Factory in the VRML format which is accessible to developers in many computer languages ... C/C++, Java, Delphi, Visual Basic or Excel. They also offer two different software packages for businesses and individuals to purchase. Demo? YES VIEW DEMO Evaluation: In the demo, the complex charts and graphs become much easier to access and understand by the use of 3D images. These images look as if the charted information is jumping off the page. Email: ehaus@em7.com Phone: (919)821-5109