Common data errors afflict 91 percent of organisations. Those in the public sector are no exception, with many struggling to ensure that their databases are up to date – particularly with correct contact data, such as names, addresses, emails and telephone numbers.
Unfortunately, data decays on average at three per cent a month, according to Gartner, and roughly 25 percent a year, as people move home, divorce and pass away.
Having clean data is essential
To avoid wasting time and precious budget on inaccurate communications, and provide a standout service to the public, having data cleaning processes in place is a must.
With accurate data it’s possible to obtain valuable insight, such as a single citizen view (SCV), which can be used for better targeting, including personalisation with communications. Additionally, it’s possible to create informed decisions; for example, on the future of a service, or the creation of a new one. This will help to deliver a consistent, positive user experience, which is something people expect in today’s increasingly digital world.
Equally as important clean data on citizens lessens the opportunity for fraud, reducing potential monetary losses and reputational damage.
The good news is ensuring clean data usually involves simple and cost-effective changes to your data quality regime, often using services accessed via the likes of Microsoft SQL Server.
Why Microsoft SQL Server?
Many in the public sector, particularly the NHS, utilise database management system Microsoft SQL Server. This technology offers a great route to easily access third-party applications via SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), because it acts as a connecter between systems, and functions at a high operating speed. Tools can be simply accessed without further integration – just drag, drop and start using.
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SQL gives organisations straightforward direct access to data quality capabilities that clean and verify contact data. There’s no need to outsource anything or go through complex data privacy and compliance because they are in control, with data remaining behind their organisation’s firewall. This means there’s no danger of any data breaches.
By sourcing the appropriate data quality components via SQL Server organisations are able to collect data from any source and use it to cleanse and transform their databases, enabling them to gain immediate insight for actionable intelligence.
It’s best to select a data quality provider with a full suite of easy to integrate data quality solutions via SQL Server. It should include the ability to cleanse data to correct data inconsistencies, and validate data using powerful global address, name, phone and email verification processes. There should also be a component in the suite that can match data, with advanced fuzzy matching algorithms to eliminate duplicates.
Other connector technology
SQL Server isn’t the only connector technology. There are other plugins for major platforms which can be utilised to help integrate services, such as for Salesforce & MS Dynamics, for example.
The important thing to bear in mind is that while plugins help to make integration more straightforward, some flexibility in approach can be lost due to the standardised out of the box set up many have.
As technology evolves there are a wide range of other options available when it comes to selecting how to access and integrate third-party applications to continue operating effectively. These include software-as-a-service (SaaS), cloud API and on-premise. All have their strengths. It’s simply a case of selecting the appropriate option for you.
However, with SQL Server already embedded in many public sector systems, along with the range of benefits it offers regarding integration of third-party applications, it’s a great place to start when it comes of accessing data quality services and ensuring your user databases are clean and up to date. Just ensure that the data quality components provided by the third-party are broad and market leading.
