Mash-up is Disruptive Technology

Mash-ups allow the integration of multiple data feeds or services to interact together. The most popular mash-ups are utilizing mapping technology and databases such as Google Maps or Microsoft Virtual Earth. Many technologist believe mash-ups are hobby or hacker technologies. Didn't they believe Napster was as well? Napster was the reason iTunes today is the number 1 site for downloading music.

The vast popularity of mash-up technology will come with applications that allow users to create their own through drag and drop technology. For example, if Google Maps API will ever entail a graphical user interface (GUI), or create a service over the web with simple user interface (UI), the multitude of map mash-ups will require search to provide the right information to the right user.

I have been searching for these applications for quite awhile; I refuse to deal with programming.
The other day, I found my "almost" perfect map mash-up. I say almost because it still requires extra steps and programming understanding, but is very simple to use. It is through the utilization of Yahoo Pipes (http://pipes.yahoo.com) to create a continuous really simple syndication (RSS) feed of data to a map. Simply put, RSS is a continuous stream of information from any data or user generated source, such as news. I was able to use my Zoho Creator table, run it through Yahoo Pipes, and create a link that is copied and pasted into Google. I just can't believe how simple this is. I love it! Now my HOA can actually view which building has a work request, and its free!

Mash-ups only work with data that has an open application programming interface (API). An API allows other applications access to data or services by connections. The future for mash-ups is a simple search for the data you want, then drag and drop on top of the services required. Vendors that create their software systems without an API are writing themselves out of business. In fact, if they are not moving their code into SaaS systems, they are really falling behind. Users no longer want to have systems that are disparate or just stored information silos.

So who is going to be the iTunes of mash-up?

The Power of SEO

Search engine optimization, or simply "search," has more power over our future than we realize. Think about the power Google has over our entrance onto the internet. What is usually the first page you use to access another site? What is your homepage URL? That little search bar has so much power, users are able to type any subject or reference they choose, and instantly return related information. No programming, no understanding SQL!

Why is this important? Think about the database your search is queried upon, the network the search is using, and the number of records returned. The speed is incredible. Now, try to create the same type of query for data within your organization's databases. How long does it take you to generate the code? How long does it take to return thousands of records?

In the future, Search will be the best entry to gain access to all data within your organization. The days of expensive, complicated, and exclusive data warehousing, extract-transform-load (ETL) procedures will fade. A simple search will not only access all databases in your organizations, it will also cross multiple databases with mash-up technology.