Importance of Data Accuracy

Businesses rely on data to make important and costly decisions.  Logistic business decisions rely upon available data. 
While much attention is given to the outcome or presentation of these decisions, how much attention is given to the creation of the data used?  Where does the stream of data begin?  Who or what produces the first bits of data everyone else will be using? What controls are put into place at each stage of data input to increase accuracy?
           

Many of those questions need to be addressed by management or at a higher level.  Most people entering and creating data have no control nor influence on how those questions are handled. Logistics employees’ primary focus should be upon the accuracy of the data they are producing. Errors that occur at the beginning of the data life cycle are only compounded, sometimes exponentially, as the data is used throughout the data’s life cycle.  

For example, a supplier inputs the packaging dimensions of a large item and inputs 103 inches wide instead of 102.  This one inch is the difference between a normal flatbed truck transit and an oversized flatbed truck transit requiring permits, escorts, and other limits on when it can be moved.  One inch in error gets multiplied by the number of items shipped from the supplier and ends up costing $1000’s at the end of the item’s transportation.

Take a little extra time to increase data accuracy. Many decisions are made using data-driven reports. Inaccurate data creates inaccurate reports. Inaccurate reports lead to poorly informed decisions being made.  The result of poorly informed decisions can range from costly to catastrophic.  

Contributor: Anthony Ruble

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About Allyn International

Allyn International is dedicated to providing high quality, customer centric services and solutions for the global marketplace. Allyn's core products include transportation management, logistics sourcing, freight forwarding, supply chain consulting, tax management and global trade compliance. Allyn clients range from small local businesses to Fortune 500 firms. Allyn conducts business in more than 20 languages and has extensive experience in both developed and emerging markets. Highly trained experts are positioned throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Allyn’s regional headquarters are strategically located in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.A., Shanghai, P.R. China, Prague, Czech Republic, and Dubai, U.A.E. For more information, visit www.allynintl.com.