According to HR Magazine stress in the workplace is now the second biggest challenge for HR professionals, behind recruitment and retention. Given that 60 per cent of workers claim to have suffered from ‘significant’ stress over the past 12 months it’s no wonder that it is one of most wildly talked about topics in terms of how it can be reduced. For instance a new study from Verint shows that two thirds of people believe that technology and automation reduces their stress at work. Some 71 per cent of employees said they are in favour of using technology to replace manual or laborious tasks, and 69 per cent said they are not concerned that automation will replace them, instead believing it to enhance their job.
So what’s this got to do with the data industry? For a start people working with data are considered by Perkbox to be within the top 20 per cent of those likely to suffer from workplace stress, and if they happen to work in the retail, leisure or entertainment sector then their propensity for stress rises even higher. When these findings are taken in combination with the fact that research by Crowdflower shows that over three quarters of people that work with data find keeping it clean the worst part of their job, taking around 60 per cent of their time – there is a clear argument for data hygiene automation.
The rise of DaaS (data as a service) is becoming increasingly prevalent as clients want to spend less time with the mechanics of data and more time on ensuring compliance with GDPR and unlocking the potential that their data affords. Automated data hygiene systems securely stream data to a cloud based platform for instant processing. The processed data is then streamed back to the original system and can be updated in real time.
The benefits of hygiene-based DaaS are many. The ability to link a cleansing solution into CRM, website and mobile app systems makes it simple to manage and validate data automatically, eliminating the need to export, process and re-import data. They are quick and simple to set up and they provide access to the largest repositories of reference data (close to 500 million records). There is no need to licence, manage and update individual files and brands have the power to choose how to manage the processing either viewing the stats before purchase or purchase and update automatically. Moreover, because it is automated it can be scheduled according to operational requirements or on an ad-hoc basis meaning that there is less chance of the processing being forgotten. Human error is also minimised because once integrated it will run identically each time. Moreover, because the data processed by DaaS solutions is untouched by human hand the security risk associated with internal data breaches is also reduced. And finally, one of the biggest benefits is that is provides a full audit trail which is essential for evidencing GDPR compliance.
Since its inception GDPR has had far reaching consequences. One of these is a renewed focus on data cleansing and ensuring that data is as clean and as up-to-date as possible. This has led to increased stress for those in the data team and an even greater feeling of hatred towards data hygiene. The data industry has responded and is creating innovative, technology-led solutions for organisations that that are fit for a GDPR-enforced world. So not only does turning to a DaaS solution delivered via secure API reduce workplace stress, it eliminates the ‘worst part’ of your valuable team’s job and is a more cost efficient, compliant solution to boot. What’s not to love?