Who Controls Your Data?

Here at Decade Software Company, we have a strong tradition in providing data management tools (emphasis on tools) for Environmental Health and Regulatory Agencies.

Under this model, our customers own their data and their processes and we impose no barriers to its access.

Impeding Data Access?

We're working with several new clients this summer who are abandoning a competing system in favor of EnvisionConnect. That's the good news.

Getting the historical, permit, and financial detail out of the old system and into EnvisionConnect is the first order of business. We call this process data conversion.

This particular competitor imposes a model in which it is nearly impossible to extract the data from the legacy system.

The vendor prevents native access to the database. Then, they provide only crippled export tools. In short, they impede your access and essentially control your data. That's the bad news.

This is wrong... unethical in my mind.

Embracing Data Access?

All versions of EnvisionConnect encourage you to access to your data, even in its most raw form (assuming you have the security credential to do so). Here's how:

• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - By using an enterprise-class database on the back-end, you gain access a huge library of Microsoft and third-party tools to extract, catalog, optimize, and mine your data.
• Crystal Reports - EnvisionConnect includes a library of 200 pre-defined Crystal Reports including a variety of permits, invoices, inspection reports, and financial statements. Use one of our canned reports, customize it, or build your own.
• SQL Server Reporting Services - With SQL Server 2005 comes an incredible tool for enterprise and end-user reporting. We're especially high on the end-user reporting tool, Report Builder (PDF).

Even though Report Builder is in its infancy, this tool blows me away with its basic user interface and report subscription model in which reports can be e-mailed or posted online based a schedule you set. It is very flexibility while remaining incredibly simple. If you haven't seen it, be sure to check it out. It's awesome!

Comments

[Larry Kalpakoff]

You wouldnt be referring to Betreive would you?

Missing the schema files?

Ohhhh the old memories.

[HL Arledge]

I'm jealous. Larry never comments on my blog.