Tag Archive for 'webinar'

Upcoming data webinar series

Published on August 11, 2010 in data integration. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

We are excited that David Loshin, President of Knowledge Integrity, will be collaborating with us this fall on a series of webinars and learning opportunities.

 The first event, slated for Wednesday, September 8, covers Data Integration Alternatives—Managing Value and Quality.

With data volume growing at an alarming pace, it has never been more critical for organizations to manage data and maximize the value of this information.  Over the years, most companies have gotten good at creating transactional and operational business applications, but these disparate systems have led to virtual “islands of data.”

On the other hand, there is a growing list of enterprise applications (such as business intelligence and data warehousing, customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, and even more complex approaches to business analytics) that require access to data sets from a variety of sources.

 In this environment, data centralization has become critical.  In this upcoming webinar, we will discuss the options and alternatives available to you today that can help you become a master in data sharing. Topics to be covered include:

  • Exploring Data Integration Alternatives – from traditional ETL (Extract Transform Load) to Data Virtualization
  • Understanding Data Integration Challenges – including completeness, consistency and reasonableness
  • Adding Value to Data Integration – using governed data quality services

This informative webinar event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8 @ 11AM ET (15:00 UTC/GMT) and is offered by Pitney Bowes Business Insight at no cost to you. Please take a moment to register today.

When BI and ETL meet

Published on June 8, 2010 in data integration. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Business users and data analysts face two daunting obstacles when it comes to making decisions. First they need to access accurate, timely data.  Then they need to manipulate this information to create meaningful insight.  Increasingly, organizations have found that it’s advantageous when they can tackle both of these challenges at once.

ETL, the short-hand for extract, transform and load, is the backbone of data integration.  This process makes it easy to extract information from multiple sources and transform this data into a consistent, usable format that can then be loaded into a database, data warehouse or data application.  For example, the right tools can read data in its native format from CRM, ERP and legacy systems without needing to write custom programs—and then combine this information to create a 360-degree view of your customers.

BI, or business intelligence, involves analyzing this business data to generate the insights needed to make more effective business decisions.  When you can turn data into meaningful information and useful reports, you empower business users to respond quickly, with confidence.

While ETL has traditionally been an IT function, BI comes to life when managed within the lines of business. Recognizing the need for speed and efficiency, today’s leading-edge technologies combine integration and analytical tools into a single interface that is easy to use and understand.  Designed specifically for business users, now analysts and other decision makers can pull together the necessary data without expensive IT overhead.

Scott Arnett, Product Strategist, shares some details on how Pitney Bowes Business Insight brings together Business Intelligence and ETL in a single platform.  This Webinar will focus on the latest release of Sagent Data Flow, which is built specifically for business users who need to efficiently integrate data from a variety of sources as well as perform analytics.  Take a moment to register today.

The Business Case for Data Quality

Published on September 8, 2009 in Data Quality and Data Stewardship. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Two recent studies highlight the significant cost of inadequate data quality.

Last month, we wrote about the State of Data Quality, an Information Difference research survey in which one-third of respondents rated their data quality as “poor at best.” A full 63% of organizations had no idea what poor data quality may be costing them.

This month, Gartner quantifies that cost.

In the latest Gartner study, participants estimated that poor data quality cost their organization an average of $8.2 million a year.  22% of respondents calculated their annual losses at $20 million or more.  And while losses of millions of dollars are significant, Gartner analysts believe these figures understate the true financial impact on most organizations.

A recent article in Tech Target added that much of this loss is due to lost productivity among workers who, realizing their data is incorrect, are forced to compensate for the inaccuracies or create workarounds when using both operational and analytic applications.

Tackling the challenges of data quality, however, requires not only an investment of time and money-but also a commitment from management. Given today’s economic pressures, it is more critical than ever for organizations to build a business case for data quality.  Yet that is easier said than done.

As data quality impacts every facet of your organization, calculating its impact can be a daunting task.  Consider for example, what is the value of: 

  • Stronger customer relationships
  • Improved targeting and higher sales
  • Streamlined billing and order processing
  • Compliance with state and federal regulations
  • Lower cost of communication and postage
  • Consolidated workflow processes
  • Better management decisions
  • Timely, accurate service

Fortunately, you can learn how to overcome these challenges and build the case for stronger data quality in your organization. On Friday, September 18th, Andy Hayler, the President and CEO of The Information Difference, will share his insights on what it takes to make a business case for data quality.  Using real-world stories that illustrate both successes and failures, this interactive webinar can help you gain the executive support you need to make a difference.

Best of all, as a guest of Pitney Bowes Business Insight, you can participate in this informative webinars at no cost to you.  You just need to register today.

Transforming Raw Data into Strategic Assets

Published on September 8, 2009 in Data Governance. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Earlier this month, my colleague Dean Wiltshire gave a webinar to a number of our customers in the financial industry titled “Good Data, Smart Decisions”.

The feedback from attendees was so positive, I wanted to post a link to the archived webinar so you could view at your convenience.  Here’s a brief synopsis:

Data governance is proving to be one of the more difficult aspects of data management, although it is the only way an organization can know that data compliance and accountability requirements are being met. In addition, key stakeholders often have different perspectives on the state of their data, which can lead to incorrect assumptions and ultimately affect data quality. Now you can gain a shared view of enterprise data with integrated profiling, analysis and management reporting in one data governance solution.

Dean talks about hidden data quality issues, best practices and provides a thorough overview of the end-to-end data quality process-along with a close-up look at the suite of Data Governance solutions available through Pitney Bowes Business Insight.   If you have the time, this webinar is definitely worth a look.