How We Collect

HOW WE COLLECT DATA

GETTING DATA ISN’T AS EASY AS IT SHOULD BE

In the typical company, data sources are scattered all over. Turnover of people and systems mean that the same information is kept in a variety of formats and places:

  • Mainframe Computer Systems
  • Networks
  • Personal Computers
  • Spreadsheets & Databases
  • Printed Reports
  • Archive Tapes & Disks
  • Off-Site Storage Facilities

This fragmentation can prompt people to collect too much or too little information.  Collecting too much data is a waste of money.  Since these databases are the foundation for decision-making, collecting too little can cause findings that are incomplete, erroneous, or unreliable.

DATA IDENTIFICATION STEPS

At databench, we use a controlled approach to identify and gather the target data:

  1. Describe the end product (a file, spreadsheet, or report) and its application.
  2. Identify key data elements needed to produce that final product.
  3. List all possible sources of these data elements.
  4. Check out the sources and eliminate unavailable ones.
  5. Change the scope of the end product as needed.
  6. Harvest the data and validate it using good internal controls.
  7. Design and create databases.

DATA SOURCES

Information can come from inside and outside of the organization.

Internal Data:

  • Operations
  • Customer Service
  • Material Management
  • Warehousing & Distribution
  • Marketing
  • Information Systems
  • Finance
  • Human Resources

External Data:

  • Related Organizations
  • Trade Associations
  • Vendors & Suppliers
  • Customers
  • Competitors
  • Industry Summaries
  • Governmental Reports
  • University Research

COLLECTING DATA

At databench, we can collect data from just about any source, in most any format......

Electronic Format - Taken from mainframe, network, & PC’s, data can be text, delimited, fixed-with, continuous stream, database, spreadsheets, and even print files.

Paper Format - Using our proprietary keypunching system, and in limited situations, optical scanning, we can input data from just about any printed source.

Archive Recoveries - Data that’s been saved to tape or disk can be recovered, re-formatted, and placed into spreadsheets or databases for current decision-making projects.

External Sources - When external data is needed for a project, we help by identifying sources, making outside & internal data compatible, and creating the databases & spreadsheets used in analysis.

Key-Punching Data - Our proprietary process uses heuristics, checks & balances, and document review to produce superior data input.

Print Files - Sometimes the data your need is found on printed reports from your computer system. We take the files that are sent to the printer and capture the data electronically.  This approach eliminates the need for custom programming to extract data from mainframe systems.  It saves time and money

Contact us for more information about our data services

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