RapAnalyst - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is RapAnalyst?

A: RapAnalyst is a Business Intelligence application that uses some of the most advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques available to create a unique approach to the identification, representation and visualization of complex data. RapAnalyst is designed to quickly answer the what, why, how and where questions people traditionally ask of complex data.

Q: What advanced AI does RapAnalyst use to power its intelligence engine?

A: RapAnalyst uses a combination of several leading edge AI technologies including:

Neural Networks: A Neural Network simulates the operation of a human brain. Neural networks are formed from hundreds or thousands of simulated neurons connected together in much the same way as the brain's neurons connect, and are particularly effective for predicting events when the networks have a large database of prior examples to draw on. RapAnalyst uses neural networking to power its predictive engine.

Genetic Algorithms: These are search techniques inspired by evolutionary biology using elements such as inheritance, mutation and natural selection. RapAnalyst uses this technology to simulate how problems can evolve to better solutions.

Self-Organizing Maps: A self-organizing map (SOM) is a data visualization technique which reduces high dimensional data into a single map which plots the similarities of the data by grouping similar items together. RapAnalyst uses this technique to visually display data in formats that individuals can comprehend and relate to with ease.

These technologies work together in a unique and proprietary implementation called a Knowledge Filter which becomes an optimized representation of the input data displayed on a two dimensional level.

RapAnalyst's Self-Organizing Map creates clusters of like data so users can better identify relationships.

Q: RapAnalyst sounds like a very technical product. Is it difficult to learn or use? Do I need to be a scientist or statistician?

A: No. In fact RapAnalyst is very user friendly, with the power of the AI hidden deep inside its engine. RapAnalyst has a simple, friendly, interface and has been designed with a non-technical audience in mind. Many users are up and running with RapAnalyst in a matter of hours due to its straightforward approach to operation.

Q: How does all this Intelligence and ease of use come together to help me analyze data?

A: By displaying the interrelationships between data visually, RapAnalyst allows you to easily identify opportunities and make decisions with confidence. Not only can you view each attribute of data in its own window, but you can concurrently look at different attribute windows to visually see their interrelationships.

Q: Who should use RapAnalyst?

A: RapAnalyst will empower any decision maker to effectively understand and communicate the relationships between complex data without relying on statisticians, scientists or actuaries. This makes RapAnalyst a perfect solution for any business leader or decision maker who needs to conduct data-driven research of any kind to make critical business decisions.

Q: What can RapAnalyst help me do?

A: RapAnalyst cuts data analysis time dramatically while helping you identify features within your data that may be hidden to you while causing problems for your organization. RapAnalyst highlights significant relationships between attributes and segments your data into clusters on the visual maps.

Some examples of how businesses are using RapAnalyst today include:

To match product mix to market segment needs and identify cross selling opportunities
To reduce customer turnover by identifying and targeting those 'at risk'
To adjust operating conditions to improve production reliability and yield
To identify precursors of fraud
To conduct risk assessment of insurance/credit applicants
To understand the profiles of a company's best customers
To increase manufacturing efficiency, and reduce costs and scrap
To optimize Human Resource processes and improve productivity

Q: What makes RapAnalyst different from other analysis techniques?

A: Unlike traditional statistical techniques, RapAnalyst approaches data analysis holistically and shows the relationships between ALL attributes in a data set, as opposed to targeting specific attributes that are assumed to be relevant. This allows RapAnalyst to deliver very high levels of predictive accuracy, even when dealing with missing data or data that has been poorly measured.

Q: What sort of computer or server does my company need to run this software?

A: Despite RapAnalyst's powerful nature and sophisticated technology, it is amazingly simple to own and use. Business users can run RapAnalyst with a standard desktop computer. Minimum requirements are a 1GHz Pentium with at least 256 MB RAM.