Keep It Clean

Since joining this magazine, I've been introduced to a slew of buzzwords that herald the dawn of a new age for information technology (IT). Some of these buzzwords have the life expectancy of a housefly while others are quietly reconfigured and propelled into the next IT fad. Then, there are the buzzwords that actually stick, survive a precarious stage of infancy and mature into honest-to-goodness legitimacy. As you read this, two very important buzzwords are nearing the final stages of infancy: data synchronization and RFID.

Taking Action
Sure, we've all consumed volumes of literature and sat through endless conference sessions in an effort to gain the inside scoop on what the aforementioned buzzwords will actually mean. Still, analysts and vendors agree that most consumer goods companies are taking little to no action surrounding data synchronization and RFID initiatives (see our Special Report on page 12). Flat IT budgets and compliance mandates from retailers can certainly put a kibosh on anyone's visionary parade. That said, a lack of understanding exists that you cannot have one (RFID) without the other (data synchronization). If product data isn't clean, for instance, what's the point of tracking it throughout the supply chain?

Swimming in the Deep End
This issue dives right into the deep end of data synchronization. The Special Report on page 12 is followed by a fascinating success story from Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. The company is now taking advantage of its clean data by making it available through a self-service portal for customers. It's a visionary concept that will save time, money and above all, boost loyalty. To top things off, check in with a few of our Edit Advisory Board members on page 29 to find out just how clean their data is. I'd like to know how your data synch plans shaping up. Drop me a line at [email protected] and please remember to keep it clean.