As the year starts we will see plethora of reports on the trend for 2016. The reports are based on numerical analysis and lots of fact findings. However we all have our own gut feeling…here is what I see for Big Data and Analytics. This is primarily for Asia Pacific market and totally my personal opinion.
1.    Focus on Data Acquisition.
In past two years early adopters have invested in Big Data Platform, however still far away from real bite of “big data Analytics”. Data Acquisition would be key for them to fulfill that promise. This is more than just social data acquisition.  Am seeing demand for “Data Refinery” such as Location Based Data, Demographic Information, Spending habit etc. A great opportunity for startup. Not to forget weather data 
2.    Spotlight back on Data Integration tools.
Scripting is powerful, faster and fun.  Sounds “cool” when kicking off the big data initiative. However that fun doesn’t last longer and am seeing spotlight back on big data Integration tools.  Would safely predict that all those who invested in big data Platform would be spending on data integration tool this year.
3.    One of the Hadoop Vendor would get acquired by end of 2016.
This may sound coming from nowhere, but shouldn’t be surprising looking at the financial sheet for most of the pure Hadoop Vendor. In all probability am seeing one of the Hadoop vendor getting acquired by end of this year.
4.    Cloud becoming the primary deployment model for Analytics.
Business demand for agility (in action) and technology to cater “data privacy “would make Cloud as Primary model for Analytics Infrastructure.