Microsoft Debuts Cloud-Based Data Prediction Service in South Korea

MOSCOW, January 21 (Sputnik) — The Korean department of Microsoft Corporation unveiled a cloud-based data analysis service in South Korea on Wednesday, Yonhap news agency reported.

The "Microsoft Azure Machine Learning" is the world’s only platform based on the similarly-named cloud technology "machine learning". The service offers predictions for a specific case by the user.

"The algorithm suggested by the machine learning technology produces an explanation and forecasts what will happen in the future. We will be able to predict and prepare for future problems if we can formulate what causes how they happen," Microsoft Korea's senior program manager Lee Keon-bok said as cited by The Korea Times.

When a user inputs enough data to create a model for a particular case, the Azure platform uses its algorithms to generate a pattern that lets him/her know of possible risks or "predict" what will happen in the future.

"With the cloud-based Azure Machine Learning, clients can minimize the time and money required to develop and establish a process to analyze a lot of data for their business operations," Lee added.

According to him, the learning machine designed by the US software giant is different from similar technologies including data mining, big data analysis and artificial intelligence, because it is capable of making predictions.

Microsoft Korea's senior program manager at its cloud and enterprise business group, Song Seung-ho, introduced elevators made by German industrial component maker Thyssenkrupp AG as a successful example of using the Azure service. The company has used it to collect data such as speed, temperature and number of errors of 1.1 million its elevators worldwide and has conducted preemptive maintenance on the basis of the service’s predictions.

"Also, in case of a building, we can set up a pattern that automatically controls the temperature to provide air conditioning or a heating system at an adequate level, depending on the number of floating population," Seung-ho was quoted as saying by Yonhap.

According to Microsoft, the Azure Machine Learning can be used in various industries such as finance, manufacturing, medicine, sports and entertainment.

Microsoft Korea’s release comes after the official launch of the platform in the US last year. In Korea, the concept of machine-learning has gained traction recently as local tech companies are showing interest in applying the high-tech tool in a bid to improve business efficiency.

"We anticipate to see demand from various fields, such as medical and financial," Seung-ho added.

Besides, the technology has drawn much attention from global IT giants including Google, IDM and Oracle.

Currently, the Azure software is available for free access, but the user need an Azure cloud account to use the service.