Identifying Data Sources

To identify the data to be included in your directory, locate and analyze existing data sources.

• Identify organizations that provide information.

  Locate all the organizations that manage information essential to your enterprise. Typically, these organizations include your information services, human resources, payroll, and accounting departments.

• Identify tools and processes that are information sources.

  Common sources for information include the following:

  • Networking operating systems, such as Windows, Novell Netware, and UNIX® NIS

  • Email systems

  • Security systems

  • PBX or telephone switching systems

  • Human resources applications

• Determine how centralizing each piece of data affects the management of data.

  Centralized data management might require new tools and new processes. Issues can arise when centralization requires increasing staff in some organizations and decreasing staff in others.