Unstructured Information

A pervasive dilemma right now is regarding the issue of unstructured information. In businesses and offices, file storage and database is strewn with sensitive data that’s uncategorized, unclassified, and unprotected.

Unstructured information is computerized data that does not reside in a fixed field or location. 80% of data found in office networks is unstructured. These are text and sensitive details that are within your email, spreadsheets, presentation slides, memos, and word documents. Management of unstructured information is a common problem that plagues businesses. With all the data exchanged within and between offices, collecting and organizing these data is proving to be a challenge.

Managing unstructured information is vital for any business, as these uncategorized data may prove to be vital in the decision-making process. Much investment is going into searching and systematizing data in networks. This is because a host of vital information may be found in these free-form texts such as the following:

• Client Responses – This information may just be buried within countless emails and correspondence.
• Market Rival – A slew of new products and services manufactured by the competition may be analyzed by uncategorized research documents.
• Market Segments – Feedback from consumers and customers may be derived from call transcripts and user comments.

For a company, the successful classification and management of unstructured information may lead to more profitable decisions and business opportunities.