Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive important online data management service announcements

Make sure that you don't miss special online data management service provider announcements. Look for sites that cover every aspect of the industry from business and government archival requirements to new encrypting techniques and the latest green storage strategies.

I recommend: Keep up with relevant industry news and get informative articles written by industry experts at Intelligent Enterprise. You’ll be on top of everything your competitors are up to in addition to keeping current with headlines impacting the industry by reading DM Review.

Follow data management system sources that provide detailed news about coming trends

Read in-depth data management service reports and publications that cover the industry further than the headlines. Watch for the articles that provide information on everything from research that's ongoing for new hardware inventions to medical and pharmaceutical data storage breakthroughs.

I recommend: Keep up with the news affecting the medical community's use of data through the reports and news offered by Health Data Management. TechTarget is a great resource for breaking news headlines and other reports that you need to know about.

Participate in database services trade groups that give members access to industry publications

By joining other professionals in associations for data management services, you can build relationships that help you stay ahead of the news. Volunteer for organization committees and participate in data management service trade shows to meet the vendors and developers who are putting out the very latest database applications.

I recommend: Keep up with industry news and events through the Association for Information and Image Management. Find news, research and important information for members from The Data Warehousing Institute.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for international data management service news to keep up with global developments that could benefit your company.

Guide to Data Management Services

Would outsourcing to a data management service improve the efficiency of your operation?

By Jeanne Dininni

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn all you can about data management and the various types of data management services available

'Knowledge is power,' and where database management services are concerned, an understanding of the various database services is a critical component of your company's power to develop an overall strategy for success.

I recommend: A huge amount of information is available about numerous customer, supplier and product data management systems through such websites as KnowledgeStorm, Find White Papers, SAS and Info-Tech Research Group. Through benchmark reports and other valuable info on data management and available data vaulting services, these sites provide insight into the concept of data management and how its effective handling can benefit your company. They also point you to many data management system and service providers that offer solutions for your data management needs.

Investigate data management services through comparative websites which provide info or price quotes

Certain websites specialize in bringing information together in one convenient place to help you compare the features of various database services that are available to maximize the efficiency and accuracy of your business's daily operations. Others actually offer price quotes from various vendors to further help you decide which data management service provider offers the best service for your money.

I recommend: VendorSeek offers price quotes from up to 5 data mgmt service vendors at a time, via a simple request form found on its website.

Look for a data management service provider that offers a variety of database management services

The more services a data management service provider offers, the greater versatility you will have in customizing their service package to meet your company's unique needs.

I recommend: Sungard, RackSpace and MelissaData.com provide a variety of data management service offerings.

If cost is a factor, consider an overhaul of your current data management system

Many providers will design and develop a database management system that's compatible with your company's own needs. You'll then administer the newly designed system on your own, essentially serving as your own data management service. You can find these companies through comparative websites that offer info and price quotes from various vendors.

I recommend: Buyer Zone offers free comparative price quotes from multiple providers of database management system design and development services.

If you prefer not to customize your present data management system, look into buying new software

Comparative websites offer comprehensive information on a wide variety of data management systems that allow you to provide your own database services without requiring expensive customization.

I recommend: Capterra offers information on a broad range of database management system software. The service allows you to compare the features and benefits of various products, access vendor websites and request information from multiple vendors simultaneously.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you decide to go with self-administered database management services, be sure your anti-spyware and anti-virus software are up-to-date to protect the integrity of your data.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get an overview of tasks and training in database management services

There are so many professions and tasks related to data management service that it can be hard to figure out what needs to be done with your data or what specialization is right for you. Use an overview to find out what's available and learn more about data management.

I recommend: Data Management International, a global, not-for-profit association, lists curriculum, professional certification programs, and other information about data management education. The Data Management Center at Infogoal lists training, education and seminar resources.

Get information about training in data vaulting services and other specialties

Some of the processes involved in data management include data vaulting, data warehousing and data modeling. Data vaulting and warehousing involves storing data off-site for protection and backup. Beyond simple storage, data warehousing requires advanced tools to extract, load and manage data. Data modeling is the act of defining tables prior to setting up a database or application; it's a complicated and important part of the data management process. Data management projects are also supported by project management and enterprise architecture.

I recommend: Cadence Management holds courses and seminars in project management. Steve Hoberman and Associates offers classes in data modeling. ELearners lists classes in data modeling and warehousing. Zachman International provides training in enterprise architecture.

Find database management system training

There are several programs for building and writing databases. Two of the most popular are Microsoft SQL and Oracle. Both systems include several components that require specialized knowledge, including a server, programming language and software.

I recommend: Check out the Microsoft website for information about certifications for SQL. Find SQL classes at Webucator. For Oracle resources, check out Oracle University and Burleson Consultants private training.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An overview of the various components is helpful even if you don't plan to do the work yourself. A knowledge of the process can be helpful when hiring or planning projects with a database consultant or data vaulting company.