This Springer Brief provides a comprehensive overview of the background and recent developments of big data. The value chain of big data is divided into four phases: data generation, data acquisition, data storage and data analysis. For each phase, the book introduces the general background, discusses technical challenges and reviews the latest advances. Technologies under discussion include cloud computing, Internet of Things, data centers, Hadoop and more. The authors also explore several representative applications of big data such as enterprise management, online social networks, healthcare and medical applications, collective intelligence and smart grids. This book concludes with a thoughtful discussion of possible research directions and development trends in the field. Big Data: Related Technologies, Challenges and Future Prospects is a concise yet thorough examination of this exciting area. It is designed for researchers and professionals interested in big data or related research. Advanced-level students in computer science and electrical engineering will also find this book useful.