How Does the Data Conversion Service Work?

All data conversion projects begin with the decision to employ data conversion as a tool to solve a problem. This decision is based on a number of business factors including the cost of the service, the integrity of the data in question, and the logistics of the project. Consultation with a Dayton Technologies engineer can be the most effective means of making this decision.

Once the decision has been made, the project begins. The first step is to answer some basic questions about the conversion:

  1. What format is the data currently in?

  2. What format does it need to be in?

  3. How much data is to be converted?

  4. How frequently does the conversion need to happen?

  5. What method are we going to use to transmit the data?

The answers to these questions for the basis for the conversion. These details are then used by the DCS engineer to create a conversion scheme for your particular situation. This setup period should also include at least one "dry run" with sample data. Once we are satisfied with the accuracy and efficiency of the conversion process, the live data is converted and tested in the destination scenario. In one-time conversions situations, the process is complete and the converted data is returned and installed in its destination environment.

For periodic conversions, we must establish some extra process guidelines. How frequently is the data to be converted. For daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly conversions, a schedule is established to facilitate timing. It is also necessary to specify how the data is to be transmitted to the DCS facility, and what type of media the data will be on. For frequent conversions, electronic transmission (email, ftp, BBS, etc.) is the desired method for obvious timing reasons. For less frequent conversions, a courier service or other manual delivery method is acceptable. Once the period conversion guidelines have been established, the conversion process is ready. The engineers at the DCS facility await the arrival of the data from your site and perform the appropriate conversion services on it.