There’s no question that data is vital to businesses in the digital age, but keeping up with large amounts of data can be difficult. Although you can use data monitoring software to track information in your databases, the issue of data asset sprawl is a productivity problem that can slowly creep into your workflows over time.

Too Much Data in Too Many Places

Data asset sprawl is a term used to describe the spread of data into too many places in an organization. Instead of having a centralized data plan, companies that experience data asset sprawl often have a variety of systems spread across an organization. In many cases, these systems are disconnected from one another or do not integrate well with one another.

This creates a situation in which data is not able to be accessed quickly, and even when it can be accessed, it may not be analyzed accurately. If certain pieces of data are missing during a data audit because they are located on another machine or network, this can cause serious problems for business owners and their customers. In fact, data asset sprawl can become a security threat when your business isn’t able to track where data is located and who has access to it.

How Can You Solve Data Asset Sprawl?

Data asset sprawl can be contained by having a plan in place to centralize databases. You can also use the aforementioned data monitoring software to track data across your various equipment and networks, and it would also be a good idea to work with your IT department to ensure all of your data systems can communicate clearly with one another.

If you don’t have an IT department or access to complex data management tools and equipment, you might consider using cloud-based data management services. These are services that host equipment and software on cloud networks, allowing business owners to use these tools without investing heavily in expensive IT infrastructure. You may still want to consult with an IT professional before selecting a cloud-based data service to ensure you choose one that will meet the needs of your business and customers.

Author Resource:-

Emily Clarke writes about the best data catalog tools and data analysis softwares. You can find her thoughts at data software blog.