No one doubts
that we are in a data driven economy. Data
is intelligence waiting to be learned. A
reality of today’s technology, however, too much data is clutter which hides this
intelligence from its meaningful use. The
responsibility is on vendors to help clients sort through this information to
effectively utilize the most valuable pieces.
I do realize
that the presence of more data creates other challenges such as privacy considerations
and implementing archival strategies.
Although these can’t be ignored, the majority of our “big data” efforts
should be focused with an eye on how this abundance of data can improve our
client’s core business.
It is the
availability, usability and meaningfulness of the data which is paramount. To
over simplify (which I am brilliant at), find the data which allows clients to
run their business better.
Data needs to be meaningful- What are the significant pieces of
information that will allow customers’ business to run better or allow them to capture
new business? What are the 1-2 biggest challenges for the client’s business
that if they addressed today would impact their performance? What are the pieces of information which will
allow them to address these 1 or 2 business aspects?
Data must be accessible- Data must be available when and
where the client needs it without contacting a vendor or manually manipulating
information within an information management system.
Data must be useable- It must be in a format which is easy
to understand and easy to share
From a
print/mail operations perspective, the important data is that which helps answers
questions such as:
How do I increase
productivity with given resources?
How do I reduce
operating costs (i.e. where am I not optimizing operations)?
How do I compare my
plant productivity metrics with my estimates and schedules to optimize performance? How do I easily measure my profitability on a job (or product) compared to projections?
For print & mail operations, the information that answers these questions is “big data”! If vendors’ “big data” efforts are not focused on these core aspects, then I advise caution about what their real intentions may be.
The availability of data within today’s print & mail operations is a tremendous opportunity. Our job as vendors is to collaborate with clients to identify and help them use the data which will most impact their performance which measurable results.
By Pat Hoskins,
Ironsides Technology, pat.hoskins@ironsidestech.com,
PH 585.953.3013
Posts
