As a business owner, there are times when you must know key information to launch a product, conduct a sale, or contact your vendors. However, all of this data could reside on different devices and have to be consolidated into one simple spreadsheet. There are a few methods to accomplish this efficiently while preserving what you must use in the end to complete your project. This is how you can collect and import data from multiple channels.
Log On To All Involved Sources and Retrieve Your Data
Locate all of the databases that you intend to draw your information from and log into their systems. This would include your CDP as well as any programs that are custom built for your business. Choose the fields that you want to include in your final report then begin the download into your computer. To keep everything organized, create a file on your device to store each piece of data in until the time comes to combine them. This saves you from having to get back into the software to try again.
Assemble All Data Onto One Sheet
Create an empty page that will house all of your final data and give it a name that refers to your project. This is typically a spreadsheet. Open each file that you downloaded from your multiple sources and copy what is there. You might have to translate it from the version that was produced into something that works with the consolidated extension. Paste each of these one after the other onto the sheet until each figure has been added to it. As you complete each one, close that particular file so that you are less likely to duplicate it. Fit the fields from one to the other so that they line up correctly in the rows and columns that they belong in.
Sort Then Look For Multiple Contacts and Listings
Each of your databases probably has names and addresses that are listed in another system. When you download these reports, they will duplicate on your final spreadsheet. Highlight the primary field that you want to use then request that it sort the way that you require it. This is usually alphabetical but it can also be by date. You may want to spot check it to ensure that the operation performed its task correctly before moving on.
Determine What Data Is Accurate In the Multiple Listings
Scan your sheet to locate any listings that might be there more than once. When you upload this file into your new system, having duplicated data will distort your findings and cause you to contact a few of your customers or vendors more than once. Once you find these multiple fields, highlight them so that you can return to them and determine which one you want to keep. This can be a time consuming process. Enlist a couple of detail oriented members of your staff to assist you with this then separate the list amongst you.
Check If Your Information Is Still Valid
Analyze each duplicated listing for the last time that field was accessed. It may have an email address that has been closed or the customer or vendor may have moved their physical location. Once you determine which one is most likely the valid one, delete the others. If you are concerned that the data that you have is accurate, a representative of your company can call and get the new information directly. When you are satisfied with the final product, verify that each row and column like up correctly then upload it into the final system that you will be using it in. Your databases can be an essential tool for your company. You can use the information that they hold to make your facility more efficient, organize and consolidate your vendors, and to inform your customers of a great deal at that time. Knowing how to download and assemble these into one spreadsheet will assist you in completing your project quicker.
