In most cases when a database is created for a specific purpose, the data that needs to go into the database already exists in some shape or form. This can be either a simple text file, a spreadsheet, a table in a document, or even another, perhaps less sophisticated database.

Before the data can be prepared for loading into another database, it needs to be extracted, re-arranged into a logical format and then analysed. The analysis process includes checking the data for consistency, making sure it does not contain duplicates, and finding and correcting any corrupt, incomplete, or obsolete data.

Once we have analysed and “cleansed” the data the next step is to convert it into a format that is easily imported into the database. The loading or importing of the data needs to occur in a logical fashion so that any data dependencies are kept intact. Following the loading of the data a verification process takes place to ensure that all of the data has been loaded and no records have been skipped or rejected.

Highlands Business Solutions have extensive experience in converting databases and cleansing and importing data into databases from external sources. Please contact us if you like to find out more.