Data Redundancy: What Is It and How to Avoid It?

How to avoid data redundancy?

In most cases, data redundancy is unavoidable. Nonetheless, there are a few things you can do to eliminate such entries. 

Regular data checking

To avoid data redundancy and to find repetitive entries, it is important to establish a rigid schedule for data checking. Periodically, you should dive deeply into your data and databases. Transactional information has the highest chance to become repetitive, but you should check the entire database from time to time, running a check to identify identical data. 

Identifying the cause

If you repeatedly encounter redundant data, you should find the root of this problem. In some cases, your software and applications might recreate data. In the case of in-store programs, changing them to eliminate this problem can be quite straightforward. Nonetheless, asking your in-house team to look into code and software architecture can be costly and time-consuming; yet, this will save data storage expenses in the future, so the effort is well spent. 

In the case of third-party applications that require or create redundant data, you may want to find alternative solutions. If possible, try to run only software or code that points to one source of data. 

Data integration

Finally, many companies have multiple data storing systems. For instance, you may have a human resources database, a departmental database, and a local office database. These will contain the same data, increasing your storage costs. 

Data redundancy when using different systems can be solved through data integration. In other words, you merge all of these separate datasets into a single system. It may be time-intensive, but this process will help you retain only accurate, up-to-date data free of errors or repetitions. Having a single database for all of your data needs also helps you save time on routine checks and maintenance. 

Is data redundancy good or bad?

Data redundancy is not necessarily negative – yet, in order to have benefits, redundant data should be created and stored in an organized way as a part of your intentional daily operations. When you decide to store redundant data, you may benefit from several advantages. 

Firstly, redundant data represents a backup method of your information. Storing the same data in the cloud or locally (in a computer system) comes with an extra layer of protection in case your original storage method fails. For instance, redundant data in this case could be part of your company’s disaster recovery plan. 

Next, redundant data, or information stored on multiple systems, has the benefit of wider availability. For example, employees could have improved access to the data they need since it is stored on multiple systems. This is extremely important for customer service, given the increasing demand for quick, prompt, and efficient solutions. 

Finally, storing the same data in multiple sources allows you to compare your information and ensure it is correct and accurate. This enhanced data reliability is ideal when handling suppliers, customers, your staff, and more. 

It’s important to acknowledge that data redundancy is beneficial only when it is intentional. If your database contains redundant information, this has many disadvantages for your business and the quality of your decision-making process. 

Summary

All in all, redundant data refer to the same information stored in various formats, tables, or systems. Apart from increasing your data storage costs, data repetition is unreliable when it is unintentional since you will most likely use it to make business decisions. 

It is important to run checks to delete repeating data, but intentional data redundancy has numerous advantages, too, including enhanced protection. You can also use backups as part of your disaster recovery plan. 

Finally, if your company has different databases, it is recommended to opt for data integration to combine all of the data sources into only one database. This will be easier to maintain, cost less, and it ensures that you have access to all the key data for decisions by accessing only one system.