Month: April 2013

The cloud offers myriad advantages over more traditional forms of data storage because of its ability to stretch and accommodate growing volumes. Unlike a physical server with a drive designed to store a specified amount of information, organizations that implement a cloud computing solution can add virtual storage space, which is considerably easier than replacing physical machines. In the era of big data, more businesses are using the cloud to accommodate their own growth. 

An article in Forbes underlines the importance of the cloud in any data management program. Michael Goodenough, the article's author, lists a number of reasons why businesses must ensure they can handle data growth. In addition to keeping the business moving in the right direction, there are regulatory factors to consider as well. 

"Once companies have eliminated unnecessary data and implemented an information lifecycle management solution, they'll eventually need a data storage solution," Goodenough writes. "Compliance, data retention requirements, and the rising cost of hardware infrastructure are pushing businesses to explore alternatives to traditional storage."

However, simply implementing a system designed to manage increased data will only go so far. It's just as important to have a system to manage the cloud storage environment. Designing a custom database software system that can be hosted in a cloud environment can allow users to access and manage pertinent information without compromising efficiency or risking the loss of data.

Systems created in FileMaker are ideal for the cloud environment because they too can scale to accommodate new data. This virtual solution gives businesses the flexibility they need to allow data to keep growing without having to make new physical installations. The streamlined process will keep companies running while their information volumes continue to rise. 

Business growth should be celebrated, as it’s indicative of a successful organization. However, that doesn’t diminish the need to meet new challenges spurred by a growing company, namely increased data requirements.

One of the most universally accepted answers to accelerated data growth is the procurement of stronger IT infrastructure. Buying more physical servers or switching to a virtualized environment can improve the manner in which information is backed up and stored. It can allow organizations the flexibility to hold greater data volumes and mitigate the risk of losing anything pertinent to the company.

Infrastructure improvements can only go so far. Finding better ways to physically process information and store it is helpful, but the best solution is one that can sort data in a way that allows users to manage it in a more efficient and effective manner.

An article in Tech World examines this further.

“As an organization evolves over time, its ability to manage existing data and to incorporate new data management demands grows in importance,” the article says. “Data cleansing becomes fundamental to business’ continuity in order to preserve the integrity and quality of data for migration when deploying new systems or retiring legacy systems.”

FileMaker can help with this effort. By using the platform to build a custom database software system designed to keep information organized, companies can minimize their infrastructure improvement needs because the only information being processed will be essential. The mitigation of duplicated data can go a long way toward solidifying a company’s overall operation.

FileMaker development allows organizations to create scalable systems as well, a key ingredient in a successful growing company. This will allow businesses to adjust their systems to accommodate new needs brought on by more employees, new procedures and, most importantly, increased data.

In recent years, the farming industry has become increasingly receptive to advanced technology, after decision-makers came to understand the benefits of adopting new solutions. As is the case with most businesses, even today's farmers are relying on data to manage all components of their operations.

Precision farming, the act of observing systems as a whole and generating strategies and procedures geared toward building efficiency and ensuring returns on farm-related investments, relies on big data. In order to generate the best possible strategies, farmers need a clear, real-time view of their information, which is best obtained with innovative technology. 

John Fulton, an Alabama Extension precision farming specialist and Auburn University associate professor of biosystems engineering, believes the farm management concept is the future of the industry, and he has taken it upon himself to introduce farmers to new technologies that will help them manage their information. 

Fulton spoke with the online publication AG Professional about his efforts.

"For our part, I think we have done a good job helping our producers adopt the right technologies for their operations," Fulton said. "Likewise, I think we've done a really good job helping them understand how they grow with this technology over time to maximize benefits."

Managing big data in the farming industry is an important process that must be handled correctly. Some systems can actually hurt the process if they are built improperly or simply aren't a right fit. Organizations need solutions designed to allow them to view, manipulate, process and report on information in a way that is both efficient and accurate. FileMaker can help on all of these fronts. 

By using this solution to build a custom database software system, farmers can benefit greatly and enhance virtually every aspect of their business.

Information and marketing are two crucial components of business and, in any corporate environment, the two should go hand-in-hand. Marketers need information to create more focused strategies, generate stronger leads and increase overall sales and profits. This level of collaboration should start all the way at the top, which means the chief information officer (CIO) and chief marketing officer (CMO) must work closely together.

CXO Talk – a web-based show conducted via Google hangout – produced a recent episode titled "Can a CIO and CMO be friends?" In the show, it was established that the two sides must be on the same page. The CIO is tasked with keeping data organized. The CMO must use that information to develop marketing strategies based on a number of factors pertaining to current and prospective customers. In return, much of the data obtained by the marketing team goes into the corporate system, which must be managed the the CIO and the workers they manage. It's a cycle that requires effort and teamwork from both sides.

Steve Mann, CMO for software provider Lexis Nexis and guest of the show, spoke about the marketing company's role with all C-level executives – including the CEO – and explained that his position must manage the intersection between creativity and corporate strategy.

"The CEO's strategy comes to life in the various strategies and channels the CMO uses to touch the market," Mann said. "The company's branding, communication efforts, demand generation, pricing and packaging are all manifestations of translating a business strategy into a marketing strategy."

Ultimately, for businesses to increase their outreach and build a customer base, they must rely on information and marketing. While executive collaboration is key, so is having the right tools to bring the two sides together. For example, developing a custom database software system in FileMaker allows organizations to organize pertinent marketing data and make the lives of both the CIO and CMO easier. 

As social media becomes an increasingly vital component of an organization’s marketing efforts, it’s becoming more important for companies to ensure they are receiving a strong return on their respective investments. This applies in a number of industries, including finance.

Earlier this year, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) released proposed regulations on how banks, credit unions and other financial organizations manage their social media. Ultimately, the FFIEC believes financial institutions engaging in digital conversations with potential and current customers could affect their risk profile, particularly if they receive a bevy of negative feedback via their various social platforms. These risks include those pertaining to security, reputation and legal compliance, among others. Given the massive impact the financial crisis has had on the economy these past five years, the FFIEC is doing what it can to ensure no financial-related operations go unnoticed.

The FFIEC understands the importance of social media in the business realm – whether that includes Facebook or Twitter engagement, online video creation, blogging or any other form of potential interaction – and doesn’t want to discourage marketers from utilizing this valuable strategy. It does, however, want to see what organizations are paying for such endeavors and learn just how much they are receiving in return. That’s why one of the components of the plan is regular ROI reporting.

The FFIEC is asking financial organizations to draft reports and send them to regulatory officials, “enabling a periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of the social media program and whether the program is achieving its stated objectives,” according to the proposed guidance.

Without the right tools, this could be a complicated process. Financial organizations are already receiving a tremendous amount of pressure from a variety of governing bodies, so throwing an additional layer of regulations on top of standard operations will require extra tools to improve efficiency and organization. Using FileMaker to develop a custom database software solution would go a long way toward accomplishing this.

By implementing a similar system, companies can stay on top of their social results and track data pertaining to their ROI as a way to better prepare themselves for inspection.