Announcing #SANTALYTICS - Help an Elf get Santa around the Globe!

[TaraM]

For the next 5 weeks we are going to have a little fun, Alteryx style! Share in the festivities in the #SANTALYTICS forum. 

T’was the month before Christmas, and one small elf had a thought,
What if there was a better way to deliver the gifts that Santa bought?
The data is scattered, throughout the North Pole - 
In the workshop alone, the amount of facts and figures are out of control!

The children are dispersed, far and wide.
Some naughty, some nice, and some equal parts Jekyll and Hyde.
With an impossible task looming, poor old Santa is clueless at best.
It takes just one small elf to demand, “I need ALL--TERR--YXX!!”

I’ll start with an Input Data tool, to read from any source,
Then plot those lat/longs… using the Create Points tool of course!
I can Join and Append the kids’ behaviors and deeds,
Then develop a score to determine their wants and needs.

But what about maximizing the space of the sled so that it’s full,
While accounting for how much weight the reindeer can pull?
I’ll need to identify sites where Santa can reload in a flash –
There are associations to consider, coverage areas, and data in my cache.

Now there’s one more detail and this is the kicker –
I’ll need to run it year after year and it must run quicker.
If I can optimize the route for distance and time,
I can declare MY model as the #SANTALYTICS paradigm!

Now ACE’s! Now Bolides! Now Fireballs, and Dark Matter!
On Meteors! On Atoms! Help me through Alteryx Community chatter!
#SANTALYTICS will be presented in a 4 part series –
Where we’ll break it all down with our means, modes, methods and queries.

Whether you solve it all or even just a little bit,
We’ll reward your efforts with an Alteryx Community Cold Weather Kit!
Of course there will be a badge and a shout out for all to see…
In an Engine Works blog post AND on your profile in Community!

#SANTALYTICS will wrap on the 24th of December
But the Alteryx skills you learn will remain as long as you remember:
It takes just one small elf with plenty of Alteryx might -
#SANTALYTICS for all, and to all with insight!
 

Join the fun in our #SANTALYTICS forum to see how other community members are helping one small elf get Santa around the globe, and find out how you can get started.

#SANTALYTICS is an all-inclusive, non-denominational, festive excuse for some friendly competition using Alteryx.  Plus, you'll be awarded with the #SANTALYTICS 2016 badge and the Alteryx Community Cold Weather Kit for your efforts. Now let's have some fun!

• Part 1: November 30, 2016: #SANTALYTICS Part 1: Solution and Behind the Data
• Part 2: December 7, 2016: #SANTALYTICS Part 2: Solution and Behind the Data
• Part 3: December 14, 2016: #SANTALYTICS Part 3: Solution and Behind the Data
• Part 4: December 21, 2016:  #SANTALYTICS Part 4: Solution and Series Finale