An Introduction to Data MiningPresentationData mining, the extraction of hidden predictive information from large databases, is a powerful new technology with great potential to help businesses focus on the most important information from their data warehouses. Data mining tools predict future trends and behaviors, enabling businesses to make proactive, knowledge-based decisions. The automated prospective analyzes offered by data mining go beyond the analyzes of past events provided by retrospective tools typical of decision support systems. Data mining tools can answer business questions that traditionally took too long to solve. They scour databases for hidden patterns, finding predictive information that experts might miss because it exceeds their expectations. Most companies already collect and refine massive amounts of data. Data mining techniques can be quickly implemented on existing software and hardware platforms to increase the value of existing information resources, and can be integrated into new products and systems as they become available. put online. When implemented on high-performance client/server or parallel processing computers, data mining tools can analyze massive databases to provide answers to questions such as: "Which clients are the most likely to respond to my next promotional mail, and why?" introduction to basic data mining technologies. Cost-effective application examples illustrate its relevance in today's business environment, along with a basic description of how data warehouse architectures can evolve to deliver the value of data mining to end users. Fundamentals of Data Mining Data mining techniques are the result of a long process of research and product development. This evolution began when business data was first stored on computers, continued with improved access to data, and, more recently, with the generation of technologies that allow users to navigate in their real-time data. Data mining takes this evolutionary process beyond retrospective data access and navigation to prospective, proactive information provision. Data mining is ready to be applied in the business world because it relies on three technologies that are now sufficiently mature: Massive data collection Powerful multiprocessor computers Data mining algorithms Business databases are growing at a rapid pace unprecedented. A recent META Group survey of data warehouse projects found that 19 percent of respondents exceeded the 50 gigabyte level, while 59 percent expected to achieve this by the second quarter of 1996.1 In some sectors , like retail, these numbers can be much higher. The need for improved computing engines can now be met cost-effectively using parallel multiprocessor computing technology..