Data Migration Project

We recently faced the challenge of how best to migrate customer data from our existing operational system and several supporting databases into a new CRM system. We knew that the data was in a poor way with undisciplined data entry over a number of years and inconsistent use of address fields.

One of the biggest problems was how to consolidate multiple line addresses into a reduced number of fields – made more complex by the fact that we have worldwide addresses and duplication within and across all datasets.

We also had time constraints as the work had to be completed over a weekend and we could not afford to have our system offline for more than 2/3 days

Whilst searching for a suitable company to undertake this project we discovered Tech4T. Having discussed the project with their data technicians, we felt confident that all necessary work could be undertaken within our budget and timescale. We provided them with a test dataset to assess the work involved and then agreed a detailed work plan and schedule.

Tech4T were very proactive in the way they worked, keeping us informed at all stages and highlighting areas of concern which came to light as the job progressed. In this way, small problems were resolved before they became a major issue further down the line.

The output not only met but exceeded our expectations and enabled us to move to our new system without issue.

I would not hesitate in recommending Tech4T for any address cleansing, deduplication and data merge work – however complex – and we will definitely be using their services in the future.

Greville Baghurst, Business Analyst, Miller Insurance Services Limited

Data Enrichment Software and Services from Tech4T

"As a provider of a myriad of data services to our customers, it was important that Mail Solutions were using the best available software. When it came to upgrading our Mailsort, Address Cleaning, merge/purge and data conversion programs we were faced with a minefield of choices. We started the evaluation by speaking to suppliers and taking evaluation copies of programs. The time required to do this seemed to get longer and longer, which is where Tech4T came in. With their knowledge and experience, they circumvented the evaluation on our behalf running numerous tests across many different packages. They then supplied the results in a way that allowed us to differentiate between the solutions available and come to a best-fit decision. 

As part of the above process, we began talking to Tech4T about the range of services that we offered our clients and Tech4T were able to recommend further software which added to our portfolio. All of the recommended packages are well used and provide a valuable service to our clients in an increasingly competitive marketplace - especially DoubleTake which we have found to be an exceptional and extremely fast tool for accurate de-duplication, merge/purge and data suppression.  

I would not hesitate in recommending Tech4T for any data enrichment software, development or investigation. Their knowledge and expertise continues to be a valuable source of inspiration and reduces the timescales required for new software implementation considerably."

Gary Hazlehurst, Technical Sales Manager, Mail Solutions

KbaseT and Analytics

"Based in Queensland Australia, Professional Marketing Technologies offer IT and analytical services to clients in the Direct Marketing Industry.  Given our need to extract the maximum amount of customer intelligence from our clients’ data to improve targeting, we exhaustively researched an extensive range of analytical and predictive database targeting solutions worldwide.

We located Technologies4Targeting, based in the UK, who stood out as a company not only supplying leading edge software - particularly their KbaseT knowledge-based targeting solution - but also having specialist skills spanning analytics, marketing and I.T.  They understood our business needs and suggested an appropriate and cost-effective solution that addressed our data quality, analysis and targeting requirements. This included the design, configuration and integration of their KbaseT system together with training and support.  

We were really impressed with their flexibility and willingness to adapt to our evolving needs and they offered us by far the best value for money. The KbaseT system provides a wide range of functionality extremely well suited to the direct marketing industry, or any business that conducts regular mail-outs to its customers.    

The Tech4T team in the UK helped us through the development process tremendously. They worked with us to develop a prototype system customized to our business needs.  The development process was relatively painless; KbaseT integrated almost seamlessly with our SQL data marts. When there were technical difficulties to overcome, their support team provided speedy development solutions to accommodate our needs.  It is very reassuring to know that we are fully supported by Tech4T, a responsive and truly customer focused company, with a great relationship with specialist software authors.   

We soon found that we could do so much more than we had ever imagined, using the powerful features of the KbaseT system. We now know so much more about our clients’ customers, their buying habits, product preferences etc. We can now classify customers very early in their lifecycle and market to them accordingly. The unique PWE profiling feature and geographical mapping will be of enormous benefit in developing and refining customer acquisition and retention strategies. We will be able to model and score both customers and prospects, helping our clients make the most of every campaign they conduct - reducing mailing costs whilst increasing response.  

The Cascade campaign management system was a real bonus - this has resulted in a 10-15% reduction in mail house production costs! We are now able to consolidate many customer segments into one promotion/campaign for operational efficiencies, but still pull them apart for analytical purposes. We can segment our markets to a greater degree than we ever thought possible, whilst still being practical. We have moved far beyond the traditional RFM variables quickly and easily using KbaseT.  

We are continuing to work closely with Technologies4Targeting to achieve our business goals. We have made enormous gains in less than 12 months, and there is still so much of the KbaseT capability that we have yet to harness!  The system is constantly evolving, with valuable new features being added with each version upgrade. In fact, we now have so much analytical power and customer/market intelligence at our fingertips, (without heavy programming/data manipulation requirements) that we have employed four additional market analysts to deliver this extended range of high value services to our clients.   

We have no hesitation in recommending the KbaseT system and the services of Technologies4Targeting to anyone who is really serious about database marketing. "

Catherine Charnley, Market Analyst, Professional Marketing Technologies

Data cleaning by Tech4T

We recently had to prepare our customer data for transfer onto a new platform. We know that the data was in a poor way having been cobbled together from ad hoc data loads and undisciplined data entry over a number of years. We also had to complete this work within a 2 month period. PANIC!!

Luckily, we had considered doing some cleaning work the year before and had identified Tech4T. On paper they looked the best – keenest prices, a real concern for quality and a keen eye for relevant detail. We initially supplied them with a test dataset to assess the work involved and agree a detailed work plan and schedule.

Tentatively we started the process. From the start the work ran smoothly and to schedule. I was also involved from the start in checking the work at key stages and this helped build my confidence in Tech4T staff and the process as a whole.

The thing that struck me most about Tech4T staff was their highly dedicated approach and a real concern to do the job right first time. It was a real ‘partnership’ as time and again they picked up on small issues before they became problems. Data errors were extremely rare and invariably resolved satisfactorily within 24 hours.

I would not hesitate in recommending Tech4T for any data-cleaning work. In my experience, their dedication and concern for detail is a rare ‘breath of fresh air’ in an industry where there are all too many companies promising the earth but delivering little. 
Gavin Thompson, Database Development Manager, Invitrogen (Life Technologies)

DoubleTake from Tech4T

"We have now been using Double Take within our marketing database for nine months. We use the product for three purposes:

1. Identifying duplicates within the database that our standard batch merge process misses. Double Take creates an extract file of the duplicates which is fed into a program written by Norwich Union that chooses which of the duplicates is correct and updates the database accordingly.

2. Fine tuning of the merge rules. We can amend the match rules in Double Take to see what effect it will have, which in turn leaded to finding and correcting more duplicates.

3. Measuring the level of duplication. We feed a sample of data into Double Take and measure the current level of duplication on a quarterly basis.

Before Double Take, the level of duplication was around 8%. The current level of duplication is 2.2%. Most of this decrease can be put down to the Double Take process. We find that the software is very efficient (we can process up to 4 million records in around 90 minutes)."

Richard Ellis, Norwich Union (CGNU)

General

"In this age of lip-service to the customer service ethos, it is such a pleasure to deal with a supplier who lives and breathes the real thing. The I.T. industry is such a dynamic environment that new issues appear daily, and the pro-active and responsive approach taken to address new business opportunities is a major factor in helping Microsoft's database marketing stay at the leading edge."
Brett Jones, Database Marketing Manager, MICROSOFT

"We have worked with the team at Tech4T over a number of years and have built our complete system from their recommendations, software and services. Their continued support and pro-active approach has ensured CAL can cost effectively offer the level of service required for our clients whilst continually improving our product offering through new technologies and methods. Tech4T are an important partner."
Barry Baker, CONSUMER ACCESS LIMITED (CAL)

"Channel 5 is committed to pursuing strategic planning as an integral element of its marketing function. Using the bespoke analysis system, Channel 5 now has the tools required to understand the needs of our customers, but more importantly the first rate technical support ensures that we are able to exploit its potential to the full."
Matthew Gee, CHANNEL 5 BROADCASTING

"Our first choice supplier for Database Marketing analysis tools. Their expertise and willingness to share this, provides significantly added value to any solution."
Nigel Thompson, Strategic Systems Development Manager, RS COMPONENTS UK

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