Integrating DataShed into your Data Management: A Key to Operational Efficiency

In the resource industry, using a data management system that breaks down data silos and enhances data integrity is becoming critical.

By Jeremy Lykke
Technical Business Manager

 

For industries like mining and exploration, where data is often a massive and invaluable asset, implementing robust data governance can greatly enhance operational efficiency and decision-making. The data management framework needed to achieve your organisational strategy must be supported by systems that can collect, manage, store and access real time data, whilst also ensuring the integrity of your data.

It Starts with Data Governance

Data governance encompasses the systems, policies, and processes that ensure your data supports your operations both now and, in the future, aligning with your organisational strategy. In mining, where databases often contain hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of data, the goal of data governance is to maintain and maximise the value of this data asset. This is particularly challenging in an industry that is often multi-faceted and reactive, managing complex operations often within a single central database.

Without a structured approach, managing such vast and diverse data sets can be overwhelming. It’s not just about having data—it’s about ensuring that the data is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible, allowing your organisation to leverage actionable insights and make informed decisions. This is where a data management framework becomes mission critical.

How do I set up a Data Management Framework?

A data management framework, as a component of data governance, provides the structure needed to manage data quality, completeness, and accessibility. But how do you begin implementing such a framework?

Start by;

• examining your data sources, understanding how data moves from its source to the database ensuring that data capture is complete and validated at every stage.
• focusing on the end-users—resource geologists, report recipients, and others—and ensuring that the data they receive is fit for purpose.
• identify and resolve pain points in your current processes that create bottlenecks or errors.

Regardless of the approach, documentation is key. A well-documented plan outlines your current data management status, challenges, opportunities, and future goals. It helps you track progress, allocate responsibilities, and estimate costs, ensuring that your data management evolves in line with your operational needs.

DataShed5: Bringing Automation and Integration to your Data Management

Datashed5 is a web-based data management system that has been specifically developed for the mining and exploration industries. Being web-based, it enables you to access your data from any device and reduces the IT costs associated with installation and upgrades. Other features include;

• One centralised user-friendly system that enables you to manage user access and permissions ensuring your team can only see the data relevant to them.
• File automation that enables files to move efficiently from source to destination seamlessly , with zero manual handling.
• A comprehensive reporting system that enables up to date data analysis
• The integration of LogChief3 and LogChief lite for efficient and customisable field data capture, with inbuilt data validation to make sure that errors are managed at the point of data capture.

Breaking Down Data Silos with DataShed5

One of the most significant challenges in data management is dealing with data silos—isolated data that’s difficult to access or integrate with other data sets. DataShed5, has been designed to tackle this resource industry challenge by breaking down these silos, making it easier for users to view, import, validate, and manage data across the organisation.

With DataShed5, you don’t need to worry about complex IT setups. The web-based platform provides a familiar user interface, similar to DataShed4, with additional functionalities like maps, modules, tables, and a suite of paginated reports and dashboards. The assay management tools allow you to apply QC rules, accept or reject assay batches, and more—all within a single system.

Seamless Automation and Integration Ensures Data Integrity

Automation is another key feature of DataShed5. It ensures that data moves seamlessly from source to database without manual intervention. Files can be automatically imported, processed, and integrated into your database, with notifications sent if issues arise. Our automation system is designed to check for new files and automatically load them every 15 minutes, reducing downtime and ensuring that you are always working with up-to-date data that is easily accessible.

The flexibility of DataShed5’s file importer means that it can handle complex file formats, populate library tables, and even extract information from file names. Customisable paginated reports and views can be automatically distributed to users, ensuring that everyone has the data they need when they need it.

For field data capture, maxgeo offers LogChief3 and LogChief lite, tools that enable efficient and customisable field logging with inbuilt data validation. Data captured in the field syncs directly to the database, making it available immediately in DataShed5.

Real Data. Validated. Centralised

In an industry as data-intensive as mining and exploration, effective data governance is not just a best practice—it’s becoming critical. Integrated systems like DataShed5, enable organisations to streamline their data management processes, break down data silos, and ensure that their data is accurate, accessible, and ready to support critical business decisions.

By investing in a robust data management framework and leveraging the power of automation and integration, you can unlock the full potential of your data. It enables smarter, faster decision making, ultimately improving the efficiency and productivity across your entire operation.