The History of Data
Teamcenter and the History of Data
Do you remember going to the library? Before the internet, if one wanted to learn something new, the library was, and sometimes still is, a place to start. In this blog, learn all about the history of data, its digital future, and data organization in Teamcenter.
Where’s My Data? The Public Library.
Libraries collect, organize, preserve, and make accessible records of a society which is where the history of data began– all within the public library.
Librarians, in their process of collecting books and periodicals, catalog and identify each for topics (and other attributes), and then make these collections accessible to the community.
There are many types of libraries, and at times, a corporation may form a library with their own internal resources. These collections of data are proprietary and accessible only to those who work within the company.
A corporate library function is typically created to preserve and organize vital records solely relating to the operation of the company. A secondary value to this is providing a resource that a research staff can use to mine for ideas on new products and services.
The Role of the Library in the History of Data
The time-honored purpose of libraries is improving upon, and adding to, a continuous collection of information deemed of value to the users of libraries.
Collection development requires awareness of new topics and an assessment of user needs.
The challenge for the library is how to continue this effort in the context of information technology perceived advances. “Google it” can provide data, however how “good” is it really?
Organization of Data for Access
Collections of books are unusable without a method to organize, catalog and identify them for easy access. So how would you find a book in this type of library?
The cataloging and classification of library materials is a primary task for all libraries.
Classification schemes such as the Library of Congress Classification scheme or the Dewey Decimal Classification scheme have enabled librarians to create detailed catalogs which function as guides for access and retrieval in their collections.
Each classification system provides attributes such as author, title, and subject. With consistent application, libraries can find, access and retrieve any book or periodical in its domain.
Utilizing a check in / check out system, libraries can also manage what content is available at any time.
Extending this check in/check/out concept, many libraries have developed search engines that facilitate searching other databases, and then making a record available.
With the advent of the internet, many libraries have eliminated the old library card catalog and replaced it with an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
The Shift to Digital Information
As with any new technology implementation in the history of data, there are those who embrace it and those who oppose.
With the history of data in mind, extending the concept of a library has many benefits.
For example, you would like to find some images for your blog.
- A digital and commercial library for images, cataloged and filtered (e.g. free) is Microsoft’s.com.
- This database comprises a collection of digital art and photography, many individuals visit this digital art library every day.
Access to Information
In our history, librarians focused on the collection and preservation of books.
Access to books and periodicals depended on ownership, therefore libraries offered a service to a community by simply buying and housing as many books as possible. These books were then available to anyone with a library card, and not limited to only those who could afford them.
The internet breaks the linkage between ownership and access, and information seekers can now “access” information in a wide range of topics.
The challenge in this new paradigm…. discussed in part 3 ……There is data, and then there is information…
In the digital era, data organization in Teamcenter provides a corporate library and many other functions for an organization.
Not only does Teamcenter provide a great organization system accessible to anyone anywhere, but it also gives back valuable time to your team members- otherwise spent on searching for documents or even worse– tracking data on pen and paper.
If you want to learn more about the ins and outs of data, where it started, and where it is headed in the future, stick around to see what our expert Craig has written for his next two blog articles.
#2 (*preview*) Where’s my Data? – A Product Data Archive
Within any company that creates or manages product, we find the same need to preserve and organize records relating to products and the operations of the company. Blog – Part II is a focus on the engineering drawing library, and a brief history of how drawings were (and still are) archived.
#3 (*preview*) Where’s my Data? – The “Information” Age
In product data management discussions, we tend to focus on data, however there is more to consider and discuss. There is data, and then there is information…
If you and your team are tired of using countless Excel sheets and miscommunicating through multiple departments, Teamcenter may be easiest solution for your processes.
To learn more about the solutions we offer here at Swoosh Tech, visit these resources:
Sign Up for Our Newsletter!
I’m the Marketing Manager here at Swoosh Tech and I have over 15+ years in marketing with 6.5 years dedicating my time to the Siemens Design & Manufacturing industry. I possess ample knowledge of the Siemens Design & Manufacturing industry and consistently strive to create and execute effective marketing strategies. I believe that my dedication and skill set are valuable assets in my role, as they allow me to effectively facilitate the digital transformation of Siemens Digital Industries Solutions.
Post by Alex Stoermann
I'm the Marketing Manager here at Swoosh Tech and I have over 15+ years in marketing with 6.5 years dedicating my time to the Siemens Design & Manufacturing industry. I possess ample knowledge of the Siemens Design & Manufacturing industry and consistently strive to create and execute effective marketing strategies. I believe that my dedication and skill set are valuable assets in my role, as they allow me to effectively facilitate the digital transformation of Siemens Digital Industries Solutions.
