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IBM FOAK

The IBM First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) Journey from Research to Reality

IBM Research

Client Information​

  • Client: IBM Research
  • Role: Research Staff
  • Year: 2015

What is IBM Research​

The Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, NY is the global headquarters of IBM Research, the largest industrial research organization in the world. Many of IBM's most notable technical breakthroughs in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors have taken place here.

IBM's First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) program is designed to promote innovation by transitioning research concepts into real-world applications. The program involves a detailed process with 29 steps across three phases, aiming to deliver tangible solutions that address specific client needs. FOAK projects often leverage advanced technologies and methodologies to create unique, first-of-its-kind solutions for industries ranging from finance to healthcare.

IBM Research Center

My contributions​

1. IBM MetroPulse​

Purpose: Enhances business efficiency by providing predictive demand insights to ensure the right products are in the right place.

Key Contributions:

  • Developed ETL component for ingesting hyper-local data (weather, demographics) and customer data
  • Collaborated with BI analysts to create an interactive dashboard for demand patterns

Technologies: Spark, GeoSpark, IBM Big Insights Apache Hadoop, Elasticsearch

2. IBM City Analytics Solution​

Purpose: Provides actionable recommendations at the store level by integrating urban data and hyper-local insights.

Key Contributions:

  • Developed location analytics component to analyze geolocation data and profile audience segments
  • Designed a data platform using Spark and Elasticsearch to handle global data volumes
  • Created ETL pipeline and analytics to compute key location metrics

Technologies: Spark, GeoSpark, IBM Big Insights Apache Hadoop

3. IBM Behavior-based Customer Insight for Telecommunications (ProfileHUB)​

Purpose: Categorizes subscribers into micro-segments for targeted marketing and retention strategies.

Key Contributions:

  • Created enriched customer segments using diverse data sources (Mobile, IPTV, Browsing, Social media, Billing)
  • Developed a real-time analytics platform based on Lambda architecture
  • Implemented real-time campaign triggers and user interest algorithms
  • Developed machine learning models for geospatial analysis, brand affinity, visit trends, and POI correlations

Technologies: Spark, Hive, IBM Big Insights Apache Hadoop, Elasticsearch, Kafka, D3.js, Play framework

4. IBM Audience Insight for Media and Entertainment​

Purpose: Targets audiences with on-demand ads and enhances viewing experiences through behavior analysis.

Key Contributions:

  • Collaborated with clients and IBM teams on customer insights and engagement
  • Developed foundation code for Cognitive Media Platform, including audience profiling, content meta-data enrichment, and a recommendation engine
  • Created a prototype for Viacom RFP and showcased it with several clients

Technologies: Spark, IBM Big Insights Apache Hadoop, Elasticsearch, Kafka, IBM Cognos

FOAK Innovation Process​

IBM's FOAK program follows a structured approach to innovation:

  1. Discovery Phase:

    • Identifying client needs and potential research applications
    • Developing initial concepts and assessing technical feasibility
    • Building relationships with industry partners

  2. Development Phase:

    • Creating working prototypes of research concepts
    • Testing solutions with controlled client deployments
    • Iteratively refining based on feedback and performance

  3. Deployment Phase:

    • Transitioning successful prototypes to product development
    • Documenting learnings and best practices
    • Establishing pathways for commercialization

This structured approach enables IBM Research to consistently deliver innovations that transform theoretical concepts into practical business solutions.