Take an outdated legacy data system and convert the data into
a highly tagged XML mark-up structure for use in a new data
system with robust search and retrieval capabilities. Increase
the amount of useable data by adding in data converted from
paper, word processing documents, Excel spreadsheets, PDF documents
and more. Develop a system to process ongoing data feeds, from
various sources, into the new data structure.
Working together, the team defined the current needs and uses
for the data and then brainstormed about the potential needs
and uses in the future. Next, recommendations were made as to
the selection of the database and the infrastructure. Data was
then sent to be keyed while data conversion programs were written.
Quality checks were developed to ensure that errors were not
introduced. All systems and programs were established and tested
while data was being loaded. Finally, modifications were made
to improve and add capabilities that were not identified in
the original design specifications.
Increased work capacity, convenience and productivity all resulted
from putting the data to work in a way that was functional for
those that needed the access. The resulting system also opened
up new avenues and possibilities that were not originally foreseen.
