Data Management for Small Business

Modern-era small business owners are thrown into a frenzy of infinite data. Embracing technology and learning how to navigate the fast-paced data-driven world is a key business skill you need to develop and enrich if you are to be a competitive contender in whatever market you may be in. With the increasing significance of data in running a business, efficient data management has become critical particularly in keeping customer information safe, generating leads and prospects, and applying knowledge for growth.

As a small business owner, you typically have to wear many different hats as you strive to grow your business. Fortunately, you don’t have to face the overwhelming influx of data on your own. Data management outsourcing brings to the table sound solutions that can help you implement a highly proactive data management strategy to help you face big data challenges with greater ease and more agility.

• Problem: For many small business owners, designing and implementing an efficient data strategy is a huge impediment to smooth data management.

Solution: A clear data strategy sets the tone for how relevant data and information are to be collected, stored, and managed. As such, well defined procedures and methods should be explained. In the collection of sensitive information on paying consumers, for instance, a hierarchy of access must be in place so that only the right personnel are permitted to access the appropriate information.

• Problem: Knowing what data to collect is another major challenge small businesses face in terms of data management, resulting in an overwhelming amount of information that is hard to impossible to make sense of, let alone keep safe.

Solution: Because of this, it is critical to make sure that your business’ data collection and storage options are compliant to PCI regulations. There are third party merchants you can turn to for help in handling and securing sensitive information of clients, particularly, important personal and financial data. Security analysts can help you make certain that your data storage infrastructure and data management procedures are adequate and have the right level of security.

• Problem: Many business owners also fail to maximize the use of the huge amounts of data they have collected.

Solution: IT companies that specialize in data management and security can provide you with a complete suite of solutions and innovative approaches in data management, analytics, and support to help you gain a competitive advantage over your business rivals.

Mike Rana is the Chief Technology Advisor of Orion Network Solutions. Orion Network Solutions specializes in providing Computer Installation, Maintenance, and Consulting services along with 24x7 help desk services for small and midsize companies.