Does it upset you when you log onto your healthcare insurance portal and find that they spelled your name wrong, have your dependents listed incorrectly or your address is not correct? Well, it's definitely not a warm fuzzy feeling for me! After working for many years in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and insurance fields, my perspective is a bit skewed.

So, ask yourself – Why is the data the way it is presented? The healthcare, pharmaceutical and insurance industries go through constant changes. They buy one another, they buy new operational systems, and they forget that integration or migration of the data will be required. One of the tools needed to make integration or migration easier is a data profiling and/or data quality tool. These tools streamline the joins of pertinent data between source systems as we analyze it for integrity and quality.

Master data initiatives use data quality/data profiling products to create consistent, integrated stores of master data (i.e., customer, product, etc.). However, (wait for it!) as management changes, software products change and companies merge, we seem to forget about the quality and usability of the data.

Here is what we can do to help:

• Consider a master data initiative that can change as the company changes, and that is funded for the long haul. There is nothing about master data that is a one shot and done program.
• When you encounter name issues (whether for customers, clients, prospects, etc.), consider how to cleanse this data and maintain it over time. Escalate the resolution.
• If addresses are an issue, consider a product that standardizes addresses. Most data quality tools have this option.

As you consider tools, look for a software company that can stand the test of time.

Watch for my next post on this topic – coming soon.