Many companies and organizations actively gather information produced during their activities. This data can be used to direct services more accurately and allocate resources correctly. Data is only valuable when it is used properly.

Keuke participates in the distribution of data to ensure that the vitality of the entire region benefits from it. This facilitates decision-making by the municipalities and allows companies to better plan their operations.

– We want to help policymakers lead and make decisions based on data. Figures and statistics may not always provide direct answers, but by comparing and analyzing various figures we can at least see which way things are developing, says Elina Pekkarinen, the CEO of Keuke.

The information is made freely available to everyone. Pekkarinen hopes that the entrepreneurs are also able to use the provided data in the planning of their business activities.

– Planning the operation of your business on the basis of facts is completely different to planning based on gut feelings or opinions. Knowledge-based management and planning has been a topic of discussions for a long time, but now the increased availability of technology and data is making it easier than ever.

What is the business opportunity?

Open public data offers significant opportunities. However, we still have a long way to go until free data is available on a wider scale. In an optimal situation, open data could be as revolutionary as the steam engine once was.

– Business opportunities are created when open public data is combined with private components, such as the data compiled by a company, says Pekkarinen.

According to Sitra, open data functions as a source of new business activities and innovations. New ways to use and utilize information create new types of services and opportunities. In turn, the European Commission has estimated that opening public data would generate 40 billion euros in economic returns annually.

– A simple example of the utilization of data would be the combination of the degree of education in a municipality and the unemployment figures. Companies could use the resulting data to make investment decisions.

– We could also review demographic trends and the related forecasts to make quick conclusions regarding the age groups that require more services. Statistics on attractiveness show which municipalities have a net inflow of residents, which converts to purchasing power.

The vitality statistics are available on Keuke's website at (in finnish): https://www.keuke.fi/keuke/elinvoimatilastot/