The Language of Graph series of posts will attempt to tame some complexity and clarify graph terminology. The first post in this series is focused on Graph Query.
What is Graph Query?
Think of Graph Query as the first step in the graph analytics process. The graph query takes all the contents in a data store (a database, for example) and searches that data for patterns. These patterns consist of matches, similarities, differences and gaps. Graph queries can search for more complex patterns than a normal data processing system would do; the resultant graph can spot a four leaf clover in hundreds of hectares.
You are probably familiar with the degrees of separation between friends on a social graph. Graph queries were created to answer similar but far more complex questions. The following are examples of complex questions that graph queries answer:
- Graph queries in banking: Fraudulent activities can be identified by understanding the relationship between bank transactions and the identities of the people connected to an above-average number of fraudulent transactions, even if those connections involve many degrees of separation.
- Supply chain graph queries: A constant challenge is streamlining the supply chain distribution process. How can we optimize the route, the number of stops involved in distribution and in transportation to the final destination? How does last-mile transportation impact upstream routing choices? What tradeoffs and choices stem from tariffs, port congestion, geopolitical risks, and environmental impact concerns?
- Health insurers' use of graph query: So that the flow of care never stops for patients, healthcare insurers need to understand the relationship between provider, healthcare service, member, insurance plan (including coverage, copay rules, therapeutic alternatives, etc.) pharmacy and claims processing.
The next post in the Language of Graph series will shed light on the meaning of Graph Analytics.
Katana Graph’s all-in-one graph intelligence platform features the game-changing intersection of graph technology and high performance computing.
For a deeper understanding of the Katana Graph Intelligence Platform please read this three part series of posts:
Part 1 of 3: What is the Katana Graph Intelligence Platform?
Part 2 of 3: Katana Graph Intelligence Platform: Data Flow and Strategy
Post 3 of 3: Katana Graph Engine
