How good data management takes your business to the next level

Data collections can be a veritable goldmine for businesses and organisations. But organisations don’t always realise this. How do you use data for better business processes? And when does data have the right quality? These are current questions that companies and organisations struggle with. The solution? Appropriate data management.

Data is everywhere. Literally and figuratively. Although it is more important today than ever, data is not something of recent times. Decades ago, various markets already started collecting data. And while realising a data collection sounds complicated, in practice it is actually not that bad. Your latest PowerPoint presentation, for instance, is an example of relevant data.

Bad decisions and disrupted business processes

Good data collection starts with having access to the right data. If companies do not have that access in order, there can be negative consequences. In that case, they lack overview, leading to wrong decisions. This not only disrupts business processes, but also costs a lot of money. With good data management, companies can avoid such problems. By doing so, they outline a professional data policy, make clear agreements about data responsibilities and ultimately improve the quality and reliability of their data.

Data management is tailor-made

There is no single approach for good data management. It is tailor-made because every organisation is different. For example, wholesaler Edco needed a separate data management department because the company creates a lot of content, such as photos, online product information and product manuals. Edco now offers these products through platforms that all have different requirements. As a result, this data also differs per outlet.

Achieving good data management can feel like a long haul for organisations. Starting small helps reduce that heavy feeling. For instance, it is good to first weigh up which small adjustments will have the greatest effect. You can then take another step forward, which will allow you to see results quickly and ensure that data management does not feel like a huge, impossible job.

Finally, it is necessary companies are aware that good data management affects the entire organisation. And especially on the shop floor. Employees do not always see that influence because data management is not tangible. If organisations want to improve their data quality, it is unclear on the shop floor what that means exactly. At the same time, that is precisely where data is collected to improve business processes. Think, for instance, of data on stocks and orders, which is relevant for creating a more efficient work process. So good data management really does lead to better business processes. And that is incredibly valuable for everyone.