"Success
together through excellence"
office: 212.319.1903
Overview
The accuracy and accessibility of corporate data
have become major issues in today's business
environment. These issues are being driven by many
factors.
causing major data quality problems that are showing up
as part of standard audits, regulatory audits, customer
service reviews, and in some cases, litigation searches.
• The information about
corporations and individuals
that
is being proliferated, in many cases, without the approval
and knowledge of the effected parties is, in many cases,
is inaccurate.
•
outside of a company's control. These sources are not all
accurate. New and constantly changing privacy and
compliance legislation is requiring companies to manage
access and use of customer data to a level that is not
always available in their current "outsourced" and core
operational systems environment.
•
Most companies don't have true
Customer Master Files. In
many cases, data is incomplete, inaccurate, and in many
cases, missing.
Data problems can be divided into two categories:
foreseen
and ad-hoc.
of a known event. Examples of such events are: merging
of data from two or more systems (a merger or
acquisition of a new business); installation of a major
software package or SAAS Solution; incorporating new
data sources (including house holding to include geo
codes) into existing as part of existing; and government
regulation reporting changes (STP). Solving these varies
according the scope of the problems uncovered as you
work through the event.
·
Ad-hoc data problems are the tough
ones. These are the
ones that the internal (and more unfortunate, the
external) auditors, customers, or governmental agencies
find. When the data problems are uncovered, their
resolution is placed on the fast track. No one wants to
admit that there are problems until they are forced to do
so. No one plans or budgets for data problems. Critical
resources are not always there when you need them.
Although there are many solutions being touted as the "one-step answer" to data problems, one must accept the fact that maintaining data quality is a never-ending and ever-evolving task. External and many internal data sources are changing as the business dictates. More data is being collected and stored. Companies have new business partner relationships that are forcing them to use data in new real-time business processes outside the corporate data center.
What do we do
Advantageware specializes in solving data centric
problems. We do "what it takes" to find out exactly
what is wrong so that we can accurately define and
resolve the problem. "Data quality" problems are
typically first presented in context of other
things: the system doesn't work, the numbers don't
match, things don't balance.
Our mission is to not only find and fix the
immediate problem, but it also create and put audit
controls into place so that data quality can be
monitored on an on-going basis.
The trick to resolving these types of problems is
careful and quick problem determination. This is not
always an easy task, but performing this in a
carefully defined way makes sure that we cover all
the bases and communicate status and results.
We work our clients to first define and document all
the symptoms of the data problem. We interview staff
and review reports and related process media
displays to undercover and document the symptoms.
Using our checklists and myriad of tools, we examine
processes and their related data sources, examining
the actual data, reviewing software and all related
documentation, and running the data through
tools to discover data characteristics.
Next we identify and analyze of actual internal and
outside data source content and processing to
determine weaknesses and strengths. The results of
this analysis are reviewed and a recommended
solution is formulated. This solution is typically
comprised of a data model, user scenarios, process,
a technology architecture, measure, and control
components. A strategy and plan to implement the
solution is developed and presented to the client
for approval.
Although our deliverables vary by engagement, in
general we:
Document
Implementation Plans
Presentations
·
Advantageware can partner with the client and
work with
them on an "as-assigned" basis. The client would manage
the project and Advantageware would supply resources on
an as-assigned basis.
complete project basis.
In this case, Advantageware would
develop and install the proposed solution. Advantageware
will also assist the client's staff to integrate the solution
into their own environment and train the client's staff as
required.
solution on an "operational support" basis. In this case
Advantageware would develop the necessary solution and
deliver required information on a scheduled basis
according to a mutually agreed to service level agreement.
How do we do
this
Advantageware uses a structured work approach and
solid project management practices which facilitate
communication throughout the entire project effort.
We also use various proprietary methodologies,
techniques, and tools as we carefully work with our
clients to define and document the exact data
problem. These include process, function, data, and
a definition of the client's business and technology
environments.
Based upon the nature and scope of the problem, we
present our findings and a proposed Resolution
Strategy and associated tactical level work plans.
These are reviewed with the client for concurrence
and approval. Based upon the client's next-step
decision, Advantageware can either correct and
enhance the current operational systems and
processes or build a customize solution using our
own tools. We work closely with our clients to
ensure that what we recommend and deliver actually
solves the client's problem.