Making Data Conversion Easy

Data conversion can be a challenge for many agencies.  However, at Zuercher Technologies we work hard to make it as easy as possible by communicating with the agency throughout the process.

When converting data from a legacy system to ledsSuite, I often find that there are terminology gaps that need to be overcome.  For example, a correctional facility may use the term Booking Number when referring to the initial confinement of an inmate. It may mean something totally different to another facility.  We need to determine what the term means to the agency so we can correctly translate it to the ledsJail software during the data conversion process.

To some, a booking number represents the number assigned to an inmate’s particular incarceration which changes with each stay. Another common usage for booking number is an inmate’s unique identification number at a jail facility that never changes regardless of the number of stays. To some, that is a Jacket Number.  Both of these elements are important and need to be put in the correct place in ledsJail and mixing them up would be very problematic.

This is just one example of the many questions that have been resolved thanks to open communication. In these instances, I get to work with both the agency as well as our training staff to help make the best decisions possible in mapping information to ledsSuite drop-down tables.  Open communications not only helps me provide the best possible conversion from the legacy system to ledsSuite, but allows us to help the agency understand how and why things look the way they do.

So don’t let the data conversion process worry you.  We are here to help make it as easy as possible.