Data control is essential to the functioning of any organization. It encompasses two areas:

• Extracting and analyzing data from proprietary software systems
• Integration between multiple data systems

Extracting and analyzing data from proprietary software systems means giving folks the information they need to make essential decisions. How often have you had to go to a proprietary software vendor and request a custom report? How long does it take for that report to be developed, tested and put into production? How much does it cost your organization to have the software vendor develop the report? Just because a software contract states that you own the data, does not mean you own access to that data. It is possible to exercise control over this dynamic. Email Michelle for more information.

Integration between multiple data systems: Beyond the basic ability to extract needed data, data control also involves data integration with other spreadsheets, software packages or with an organization's website. Michelle has 20 years of experience assisting her clients with integration projects.

1st Contact is ideally situated to assist organizations as they pursue more control over costs and data. An expert, with over 20 years of experience developing collaborative working relationships with her clients, Michelle understands why organizations need to control their own data and costs. She has the technical experience to program and develop in both the classical database world and online database world. She knows how to combine both of these elements for a personalized data management solution.

If you would like discuss ways you can get control over your own data, feel free to email Michelle. 1st Contact provides complimentary database and data processing analysis.

Cloud Computing is very popular. It has a lot of appeal because folks can use the database even when they are out of the office. But ... as more and more organizations use proprietary cloud applications, they are discovering the disadvantages as well:

• COST: One of the largest disadvantages comes with increased costs. Using a 3rd party, proprietary cloud application may have lower start up costs. But, the devil is in the details. Since proprietary applications charge by user or even use, costs can sky rocket after the first couple of years.
• POSSESSION is 9/10ths of the LAW: Using a proprietary cloud application requires organizations to give up control of their own data. A contract may say you own your own data. But, that clause gives little comfort when you need to go back to the vendor and request custom development of needed reports.
• SECURITY: With cloud computing, organizations depend on a 3rd Party to protect ALL of their data. There are inherent risks to storing mission critical data on someone else's server.

As the initial wonder of cloud computing wears off, organizations are searching for something better. They are looking for data management solutions which offer the benefits of cloud computing, but give them control over data, budgets and security. Instead, a hybrid between the old classical database systems and the new cloud computing model is emerging. Hybrid solutions allow for more flexibility. It is possible for organizations to build and maintain their own databases, thereby exercising control over costs, security and the data itself.

1st Contact is ideally situated to assist organizations as they pursue more control over costs and data. An expert, with over 20 years of experience developing collaborative working relationships with her clients, Michelle understands why organizations need to control their own data and costs. She has the technical experience to program and develop in both the classical database world and online database world. She knows how to combine both of these elements for a personalized data management solution.

Increasingly businesses and organizations feel the need to integrate their website and in-house databases. What information do you store in your classical database, but also wish to make available through your website? Or conversely - what data is hand entered into your database, after receiving an email from website data entry? Following are questions you may want to review:

1. Do your clients/members/employees frequently call or email you to request the same type of report or information?
2. Do you have employees who frequently work in the field and need to access data from the field?
3. Do you regularly need to share information with people outside your office?
4. Do you get registrations, questions, etc.. from folks through website entry and then hand enter the information into a database or spreadsheet?

As double-entry decreases ... production increases and mistakes decrease. Integration of an organization's database and website streamlines data processing, eases work loads, decreases errors, and helps the bottom line.

Integration of in-house data systems and on-line websites can be accomplished without jeopardizing security and respect for personal data.

If you would like explore website/database integration in more detail, feel free to email us. 1st Contact provides complimentary database and data processing analysis.