You believe you need to step up your data management approach, but is the need real?

Before you select a data management team, ask yourself three very important questions:

“What am I seeking to accomplish?”

“Does my company actually need this?”

“How will adding a DBMT team impact growth and ROI?”

Lighter tools, which include self service capabilities, can provide a good solution for small to mid-size companies. The one tool approach can handle all aspects of data management, taking the pressure off your IT department. This also has the ability to do most of the work that is needed. Larger companies have greater needs and larger IT departments that put formal processes in place even for smaller projects.

Here’s a list of factors to consider before you sign on the dotted line:

1) Usability Make sure the system has the ability to grow with your future business needs. Also consider how user-friendly the system is for everyone—Marketing, IT, Data-base Developers, and others. Regardless of how it works, make sure it’s usable for your entire team.

2) Visualization & Reporting Review the ease of visually analyzing and displaying results for queries you run on data. Check the software displays. Are they reflective of the database? Visual displays also need to provide results to colleagues in a way that is easy to understand.

3) Support & Development How is the support offered—email, phone, other? Is it available only during the hours you are in the office? Ensure there is a development plan for the future. You want to be confident it will include emerging technologies. Upgrades need to be timely and the most recent versions. Finally, make sure you are supported for as long as you use the software.

4) Functionality Confirm that the modules available in the data analysis software meet your business requirements.

5) Integration Ask,” Will this system integrate seamlessly with my other software systems such as your email and marketing platforms and also CRM systems?

6) Security The highest level of security is essential to database implementation. Business-sensitive data must be stored securely and adhere to company regulations. Your data needs to be protected from loss, theft, fire, etc., the risks from hacking, or from unintentional corruption of data through human error.

7) Scalability You will add data. Make sure the system you put into place is expandable and has the ability to grow with your business.

8) Cost and Suitability Cost always is a factor, but so are the present and future needs of your company. Will this software be adequate? Don’t opt for an expensive software that is more than you need but don’t cut yourself short either.

9) Hosting Will your data-based management system be located in-house or at a remote location? This could lead to even greater costs and security concerns.

10) Updates Updates to the database should be done frequently and automatically. You want your data to be live and constantly in sync with your other systems. Would daily or even weekly updates be sufficient?

In the end, you have to live and work with your data-based management tool. Using a tool with a degree of self-service and control may be the way for you to go. This will allow you to avoid future issues while offering a better outcome for your company.

It’s important to have documents, properly secure them and have the ability to quickly access them when needed.

In this inaugural edition of MOD Minute, QuickData CTO Morris Kagan explains how to effectively manage documents and keep that data secure.

To see more videos like this, visit our YouTube page.

Automation increases efficiency and productivity while reducing waste. It boosts speed and profit through implementation of automation of revenue and expenses. But often data sources are not integrated, leaving inconsistent data on the planning table.

This makes it even harder for your internal resources to keep up with ever changing demands of data management and analytics.

Automation changes the business paradigm. Traditional operations that include creating reports manually are quickly leaving today’s arena. Automation just means smart business.

Data management, if implemented correctly, has a powerful, positive impact on your business’s bottom line. This means: You can scale up your operation and not fail!

 

3 Things to Know about Automation —

• Automation brings direction and clarity. Before you automate, write out and detail what your business needs are. Include: What is the essence of your company? What are you asking your employees to do that could be done faster and simpler through simple automation? Where are the bottlenecks or blockages in your company? Do you have a problem with fulfilment? Or another area?

Is the company’s chief operational goal to make money or save money? Once you understand this, you can go forward with plans to automate. Make sure you choose a data automation firm that listens to your company’s needs. They are there to uncover and help you fix your basic loopholes and problems.

• Decide on a “make sense” approach to automation. Most companies do better by taking “baby step” or logical steps in automation. Don’t feel the need to jump in and fully automate. Instead look for key trouble spots where automation would make sense and successfully aid in company growth. Learn how to scale your data so you can make smart and wise business decisions.
• Understand what the speed of automation does – information is the oil of the 21^stcentury and analytics is the combustion engine. Automation through the addition of smart software offers an entirely creative informational layer to your company. It also adds speed to your company’s fulfilment schedule without compromising quality. This means you can accomplish your goals faster without the addition of extra IT resources. Instead of reaching goals: A and B within a three-month window, you find that when you automate, your company will reach goals: A, B, C, D, and E.

Future Growth means there are enough people to do the work. Automation can create jobs while ramping up the company’s ability to fulfill the clients’ demands and needs. It’s all about finding a scalable way to drive revenue to the bottom line.

Automation arms you with the tools you need to make the best decisions for your business and increase your profitability without adding additional IT resources. That’s the power of data management.

If you are looking to connect the dots between full automation and expenses look for a company that will optimize your operation. Now is the time to set your organization on the pathway to success through automation.