18 Mar 2010

Fragmented IT 'results in poor data quality'

Fragmented IT infrastructure can result in poor quality data being produced by firms, it has been claimed.

Daragh O'Brien, former director of publicity and member of the International Association for Information and Data Quality, said inefficient use of storage space and a lack of understanding of where files should be kept and managed can lead to duplication, data loss and poor quality records.

He commented: "Fragmentation of systems is a contributor to poor quality information as it introduces issues of timeliness, integrity of data and the simple challenge of getting a single reliable answer to a question."

According to data quality solutions provider Datactics, there is often a knowledge gap between senior management and the real condition of data in quality terms, despite that information being trusted and used to base strategic business decisions on.

Jon Brooks, chief executive officer at Datactics, noted there can be a number of reasons for bad quality data, with inefficient mergers and a changing of applications for information being two of the major culprits.