Viewpoint News, Summer 2008

Where’s the Data?

You produce large amounts of data every day. Data are saved in some combination of flat files, databases, and custom formats. Hopefully, you’ve designed a logical and enforceable folder hierarchy to help organize these files, because someday someone will want an answer contained in those files, and no one wants to spend more than a few minutes to find it among all those files.

What you really need is something that acts like a search engine but for both text and numerical data. This article describes some common scenarios and a new solution.

 

Overview

Many manufacturing companies today have data management issues that have received little attention because “that’s the way it’s always been done”. But, today’s database, search, and web technologies offer new solutions worth consideration by anyone involved in manufacturing. If Amazon, Google. Yahoo, and others can access enormous amounts of data almost instantly, the manufacturing world can certainly benefit from similar technologies to help solve data management problems and make everyone more productive.

One solution is Aperio. Aperio is a secure, browser-based tool that enables you to access all of your data regardless of file format or location. Here are a few examples of common scenarios where Aperio can ease frustration and let you do the job you want to do, and while saving time and money.

 

Part History

When product defects are identified, time is of the essence. With so many variables to check, data files need to be accessed quickly and be easy to analyze. Your company’s reputation and bottom line are at stake in finding the problem fast.

Aperio Application
With Aperio, you can query your data to find the specific information you need. Graph and spreadsheet capabilities allow you to easily identify trends. Quick problem identification, perhaps even predictive knowledge, leads to a faster resolution and an overall competitive advantage.

 

File Repositories

Companies often save data in multiple file formats and harddrive locations. Harddrives are so cheap now that no one throws away any data. All these data repositories lead to disconnected files, databases, and server access issues, causing a huge waste of time for any one trying to find a particular file.

Some people already have a home-grown solution that works effectively at the moment. But these solutions are typically supported by one engineer or IT developer (who could leave tomorrow), require data files to be modified to a special format to fit within the solution, and do not take advantage of the web as effectively as possible.

Aperio Application
Aperio connects your data results across multiple files and file types anywhere on your network. The content of existing files does not need to be changed in any way. The locations of existing files remain the same. New data sources and file types are easily accommodated.

 

Lost Data Files

Data files are misplaced all the time, especially with the multitude of storage locations available and deeply nested folder hierarchies. I’m sure you have your own stories, but some common themes are that people forget, people leave the group, and someone reorganizes the folders without telling anyone. The outcome is lost information. Trying to figure out what someone else has done, or even having to regenerate the test, is time consuming and can significantly delay your overall process.

Aperio Application
Aperio is constantly crawling across your network and cataloging information so you will never lose a file again. Access your data securely through a browser and quickly view important information in just a few “clicks” no matter where it’s located on your network. You can even access the original file through Aperio.

 

Summary

I’ve just touched the surface of this ever-growing data management problem and offered a possible solution. For more information on Aperio, please feel free to contact us:

• Visit www.myAperio.com to read more about product capabilities and view screenshots of how Aperio can present your data, or
• Email Jim Dyer in Sales at jdyer@myAperio.com.