Data: The Critical Investment
Ron Kistler
Program Manager
Affiliated Computer Services
247 Industrial Court
Fredericksburg, VA, USA 22408
540-898-8500 ext. 4860
Fax: 540-898-5964
Email: ron.kistler@acs-inc.com
Abstract
The geospatial technologies in the marketplace today can assist us in completing
many tasks that used to require tremendous amounts of experience and/or time.
However, if the data that feeds these beneficial systems and applications is not
timely and the content is not accurate, the systems and applications will not
perform up to our expectations.
This presentation looks at data as a critical system element. No matter how
sophisticated the various technologies are, applications will falter or even fail if
data maintenance is not taken seriously. Maintaining quality data about facilities
in an electric utility has never been an easy task. Having distribution maps that
always reflect As-Built field conditions is sometimes next to impossible.
Ensuring that operations is always informed regarding the current and correct
configuration of facilities and devices in the field can sometimes be hit and miss.
Complete and accurate data is a necessary investment in the technologies we
are implementing.
This presentation will consider the following points:
- In general, how do we look at the task at hand when it comes to data?
- Who has the main responsibility for the data?
- Is data the corporate asset that we keep hearing about?
- What really happens if the data isn’t maintained?
- What can be done to change attitudes about the critical importance of data?
Introduction
I believe that computer systems today are comprised of four major components -
- hardware, software, people and data. Of those four components I would
suggest to you that the data component is, more often than not, overlooked.
This paper will concentrate on how much of an affect data can have and how
critical it ultimately becomes to any enterprise in accomplishing its overall goals
in the implementation of computer technology. High quality and accurate data is
very costly and should be treated as a corporate investment. It also should be
protected and its maintenance should carry a very high priority within the
enterprise.
It has also been said that good data is the very foundation of virtually every
system and, if maintained properly, its life is longer than the system that uses it
or the hardware it runs on. I agree with that philosophy.
Good quality data allows us to know where our assets are in relation to our
customers. It also assists greatly in the effective and efficient operation and
maintenance of electrical systems. Business processes can also be operated
more effectively with high quality data. Properly maintained and timely data also
aids in knowing where maintenance dollars are being spent in relation to the
revenue we are generating.
