Upskill U is kicking off a brand-new series on analytics with a course on predictive analytics led by returning speaker Nick Feamster, professor of computer science and deputy director at the Center for Information Technology Policy at Princeton University , this Friday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET. (Register for Predictive Analytics 101.)

Mastering big data analytics is increasingly critical for service providers in the communications industry's software-driven ecosystem. Operators are looking to data mining and predictive analytics to gain real-time insights that can be utilized in strategizing for future trends in automation, SDN, NFV, machine-to-machine learning (M2M) and more.

Figure 1: Lights On for Learning Returning Upskill U speaker Prof. Nick Feamster tackles predictive analytics this Friday.

In Upskill U's "Predictive Analytics 101" course, Prof. Feamster will examine new and emerging modeling techniques for telcos and address how the industry move toward virtualization is changing the role of and approach to predictive analytics. In addition to attending the live course on Friday, listeners can revisit on-demand courses Prof. Feamster has previously presented at Upskill U on topics like virtualization, security and open source software and the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data. (See Virtualization: Network Design & Infrastructure, Big Data Analytics & IoT and Security: The Plusses and Minuses of Open Source Software.)

Coming up at Upskill U:
Look out for more courses on Analytics in the coming weeks -- our next speaker is Sarah Obermayer, associate director of technology at AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T). Obermayer will present a case study on the restructuring of one operator's advanced analytics team in the session "Building a Centralized Analytics Team" on Wednesday, April 19. Listeners will learn best practices in navigating business culture and technical challenges to develop a more cohesive, collaborative advanced analytics team that utilizes dynamic reporting styles and consistent measurement processes. (Register for Building a Centralized Analytics Team.)

Want to hear more about AT&T's virtualization strategies? Join us in Austin at the fourth-annual Big Communications Event where AT&T Chief Strategy Officer John Donovan is a keynote speaker. There's still time to register and communications
service providers get in free.

Upskill U listeners are encouraged to interact both with colleagues and presenters via the real-time chat board available on each course page. Presenters respond to listener questions throughout the course and in a dedicated 15-minute Q&A following the lecture. Courses are delivered live at 1:00 p.m. ET, and on-demand versions of the programs are available immediately after the 45-minute presentation. On-demand courses are currently available on topics such as the Internet of Things (IoT), security, open source, Agile and DevOps, SDN, MANO, 5G and more -- providing a free resource for learning anytime, anywhere on themes addressing the business impact of new technologies shaping the communications industry. (See Upskill U Curriculum Calendar.)

See you on the chat boards!

— Kelsey Kusterer Ziser, Editor, Upskill U