New Book Explores How Successful Businesses Manage Data

MIT Information Quality Industry Symposium

BOSTON (16 luglio 2009) — Tony Fisher, president and CEO of DataFlux, a leading provider of data quality and data integration solutions, has released his book, The Data Asset: How Smart Companies Govern Their Data for Business Success. Published by John Wiley & Sons and part of the Wiley and SAS Business Series, the book provides guidance not only for building the business case for data quality and data governance but also for developing methodologies and processes that will enable organizations to treat their data as a strategic asset.

“Many organizations today are facing unprecedented challenges due to the economic climate, and many are just starting to realize the important ways that their data can and should be used to create new business opportunities and improve the profitability of their existing business,” Fisher said. “There is a clear relationship between the success of any business and the way they manage their data. Businesses already know they must do three things well to be successful: mitigate risks, increase revenue and control expenses. Data is the single, common thread across an organization that can help realize success in each of these areas.”

The Data Asset is a guidebook for companies that are striving to achieve data governance across the enterprise. It includes real‐world examples of effective data management strategies and the benefits they have on the business. The book also details a data governance maturity model that companies can use to progress – in an evolutionary way ‐ towards data governance.

“Years ago, DataFlux pioneered the use of a data management maturity model,” Fisher said. “However, as more and more companies began to view data management as a crossfunctional effort involving business and IT, it evolved to become a data governance‐focused tool that encompasses the people, processes and technology of the entire organization.”

The Data Asset walks business and IT readers through the characteristics of the four stages of the data governance maturity model – Undisciplined, Reactive, Proactive and Governed – while providing advice for advancing from one stage to the next. The book also educates readers on the importance of effectively utilizing people and processes within the organization to create a “Quality Culture.”

The book also advises organizations on selecting the right technology to progress along the maturity model. Whether your organization is discovering the value of data quality tools or moving beyond data to tackle business process automation, Fisher identifies which technologies are critical to your business success.

“Data governance and organizational data quality should be considered a journey, not a project,” Fisher said. “It is a trip that has to be taken one step at a time. But, with every step comes additional benefits for your organization. The sooner you get started, the sooner you will reap the benefits. The message of The Data Asset is straight forward. Start now, build the quality culture into your organization, and ensure the long‐term viability and success of your business.”

About Tony Fisher
Since 2000, Tony Fisher has guided DataFlux through tremendous growth as the company has become a market‐leading provider of data quality, data integration and master data management solutions, enabling organizations to analyze, improve and control their data through an integrated technology platform. He is also a featured speaker and author on emerging trends in data quality, data integration and master data management, and how better management of data leads to business optimization.