Machine learning (ML) continues to amaze us with its abilities and is set to transform the economic structure of many industries -- from producers of widgets to financial analysts and health care providers. But many IT and operations practitioners are struggling to put the rapid advances in ML to work for their organizations. To take advantage of ML in your environment, you should start with an understanding of the benefits you aim to achieve, such as improving efficiency, accuracy and safety, or cutting the cost of delivery of goods/services. Next, how will you get there? Buy a product or service?