WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The TechAmerica Foundation today released its much anticipated report "Demystifying Big Data: A Practical Guide To Transforming The Business of Government", which gives the federal government a comprehensive roadmap to using "Big Data" to better serve Americans.

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Lockheed Martin and other experts from both industry and academia joined with the TechAmerica Foundation to form the Big Data Commission, which collaborated to demystify the term "Big Data." This comprehensive and first-of-its-kind report defines key terms; explains the underlying technology in simple terms; and, identifies best practices and lessons learned from early efforts.  The report also offers a set of policy recommendations and practical steps agencies can take to get started on Big Data initiatives. 

"Not only is it important for Government agencies to understand the technical underpinnings and potential use cases for Big Data, but also the policy and operational procedures relative to procurement, workforce, research and development and privacy that should be assessed for new models that can allow the government to be optimized in its use of "Big Data", said Richard Johnson, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions. Johnson joins more than 20 leading experts as a Big Data Commissioner.

Complementing the practical roadmap and key policy recommendations is the business value of Big Data, including:

• Improve decision-making and operational intelligence
• Eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse
• Innovating new business models and stakeholder services

The full Commission report can be found here.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin