Information storage
Reason for efficient information logistics
Many companies still handle their information manually. Even if you have bought desktop publishing software, you still have to move information between systems and individuals more or less manually. Factors such as personalisation, globalisation and product complexity make it difficult. The more of these factors there are, the greater the need for system support. You can compare information management with product management. A company that imports, stores and sells hundreds or maybe thousands of products won't hesitate to introduce a system for handling storage and logistics. The same applies to information. System support is needed for handling information on thousands of products in several languages in several variations in order to be efficient.
Product information
Take for example, product information that often plays a key role in a business. It's critical to have large quantities of information constantly current and updated. In spite of this, the information that is needed for publication is sometimes spread throughout the organisation, in various business systems and in the marketing department’s Indesign document.
Do you need to store the information in a document or in a database?
There are many benefits to be gained from a database. In a database, the information can be sectioned. Each section is then given its own status, which means that you can see how many texts are finished and approved and which ones need to be completed, for example. There is a big difference between knowing that 554 out of 600 products in chapter 6 have been translated compared with just knowing chapter 6 isn't finished. With exact information you can plan and control your resources in the best possible way and significantly shorten your lead times.
Sections of information can also be linked and returned to. If an accessory is included in a catalogue in 10 different places and in 10 different product sheets, you have 20 different places to update whenever a change needs to be made. In a database, it's sufficient to change it in one place. The change is then made automatically in the places to which the information is linked. A structured database is a prerequisite in order to be able to make use of systems for integration, translation, automatic Web publication, etc.
Last updated:
5/3/2011
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