What is Big Data Analytics?

"Big data analytics refers to the strategy of analyzing large volumes of data … gathered from a wide variety of sources, including social networks, videos, digital images, sensors and sales transaction records. The aim in analyzing all this data is to uncover patterns and connections that might otherwise be invisible, and that might provide valuable insights about the users who created it. Through this insight, businesses may be able to gain an edge over their rivals and make superior business decisions." Source: Techopedia

Big data analytics isn't one practice or one tool. Big data visualizations are needed in some situations, while connected analytics are the right answer in others.