CeBit showcases 'datability'

CeBit – the digital industry’s biggest trade fair – has opened its doors. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron officiated at the opening as the UK is this year’s partner country.

The main theme is “datability” how to handle, manage and use data.

A pertinent theme as recent headlines have highlighted concerns about private data protection.

German software giant SAP showed how big data solutions can help improve football players performances with the analysis powered by its HANA platform. It is a joint project with the German national team ahead of the World Cup.

“There will always be personal decisions by the coach. There will always be players who disprove of the statistics, it happens in other sports. This is nothing more than a tool. The computer or the software don’t score goals or take decisions. They are helping to take the right decisions,” explained Olivier Bierhoff, who is the manager of the German national football team.

CeBit is not just aimed at the professional, the end user is not forgotten. Microsoft and Intel were showing their 2-in-1-PCs hoping they would be the first choice for consumers instead of Apple or Android tablets.

German car maker Audi, which is owned by the Volkswagen Group, is looking ahead to the future and showed ‘James 2025’ a prototype of what the manufacturer believes could be the virtual cockpit in years to come.

Samsung has the instant answer for pregnant mothers who want to share 3D scans of their unborn child without having to wait for print outs. It’s called ‘Hello Mum’.

“This is a solution for obstetric patients that makes available foetal ultrasound images right after the scan. It’s an innovative and efficient method because you no longer have to print out the picture or burn the data onto a CD,” explained Tim Biersa, who is product manager of Ultasound Samsung Electronics.

There are 3,400 exhibitors showcasing their digital innovations at this year’s fair.