Finding duplicates is one of the processes in data cleansing. In managing large databases, it is crucial to keep files valid, accurate and error-free. We all depend on files especially since we are currently in a “paperless society” when everything seems to be digital already. Most of us each have our own personal files to manage. Whether big or small, it truly helps if these files are updated and “brushed up.” To illustrate, since most people already keep their own mobile phones now. These are basically used to communicate with different people in our lives. To do this, we save numbers at the contact feature. But it is unavoidable to sometimes have obsolete, inactive and duplicate “files” or contacts. As much as we want, we try to eliminate numbers that are not used anymore, or those that come in twos. If we keep too many contacts, it may take up too much memory space and sometimes take our time and money if we keep on scrolling them to find a single contact or if we need to send message to multiple contacts only to find out the number is already inactive.

The illustration above represents how keeping valid databases may affect organizations. Finding duplicates is one of the first things done to brush up files. Having duplicate records happens when there are multiple chances of transacting to a given person, or if there are wrong data recorded and also if there are some changes in the data being gathered. It is very unhealthy for a database to have duplicate files because it may be costly. It is because spaces are used up instead of conserved, and may also be inefficient for marketing plans. Just like the illustration above, if we try to send messages to all contacts without knowing that we are sending the same message twice, we tend to waste money. Just the same, if we are sending marketing campaigns to duplicate clients, we also waste marketing costs and may affect our return of investment. Thus, finding duplicates is necessary not just to minimize data storage but also to be cost efficient in marketing plans. It also helps retrieving files time and cost efficient.

Finding duplicates would be useless if it will not be addressed properly. This means proper course of action is necessary to deal with it. After finding duplicates, it must be merged into one accordingly. It could be that the new file is kept and the old inactive one is eliminated. Individuals can also work on the problem of having duplicate files and documents to get rid of wasted storage space and prevent confusion in their database. It is important to be organized in everything even in computer files so that whenever you are in need of something, you will not have a hard time searching for it. There are companies that offer cleaning up of duplicate files to help you deal with it efficiently. Finding duplicates and working on it is necessary for business growth and profit earning.

Contact Information
Name - File Diet
URL - http://www.filediet.com