Don't Panic! It's Just Data

• Leading Up to The Peak: Can Data Integration Solve Key Enterprise Challenges?

  In this episode of the Don't Panic, It's Just Data podcast, hosted by EM360Tech's podcast producer, Shubhangi Dua speaks to Donnie Owsley from Snohomish County, and Jeff Burton and Tom Lavery from the University of British Columbia. All of the speakers will be presenting at the upcoming Peak of Data and AI event, organised by Safe Software, the creators of FME. Scheduled to take place in Seattle from May 5th to 8th, 2025, The Peak is an exciting gathering for data and AI innovators. This conversation offers a preview of some of the practical applications and insights that will be shared at the event.The podcast also talks about the development of creative solutions for enhancing accessibility in urban environments. The UBC speakers particularly refer to their creation of an accessible university campus navigation system, a project that showcases the power of integrating FME with platforms like ArcGIS. This discussion spotlights the challenges and ingenuity involved in building inclusive wayfinding solutions that cater to the diverse needs of a community.The conversation sheds light on some tangible ways in which FME is being used across different sectors to tackle specific challenges and boost creative innovations. It provides valuable context for the types of practical knowledge and problem-solving approaches that will be central to The Peak of Data and AI event.For further information on what we’ve talked about and to register for The Peak of Data and AI event in Seattle, please head over to peakofdataintegration.com.Key HighlightsDiscover how to use tools like FME for preemptive IT issue resolution.Learn the approach to creating inclusive navigation systems with FME and ArcGIS.Get practical insights into current industry applications.Preview actionable data and AI solutions.Explore the versatile application of FME in your organisation.About Safe SoftwareFounded in 1993, Safe is headquartered in Surrey, BC with over 200 team members and counting. We’re always looking for talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are determined to learn and grow.Over 20,000 organisations around the world use FME in industries like AEC, government, utilities, and transportation to maximise the value of their data.

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  10:24
• Is Your Finance Team Stuck in the Past? Real-Time Answers

  Takeaways#Financeteams are often resistant to change, clinging to outdated tools.Real-time data integration can help break down data silos and better decision-making.The shift from FP&A to XP&A emphasises collaboration across departments.#Datagovernance is crucial when handling financial data.Real-time data enables more accurate forecasting and budgeting.Organisations should define their data strategy before implementation.Proactive adaptation to data technologies is essential for future success.SummaryIn this episode of "Don't Panic, It's Just Data," host Christina Stathopoulos explores the world of real-time analytics and its impact on financial decision-making. She is joined by Thomas Gore, insightsoftware's Director of Product Management for extended planning and analysis (XP&A), and Cody Riemenschneider, Director of Solutions Engineering, and they discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating real-time data into finance.We explore the issue of data silos and how real-time AI integration can break them down. Thomas explains: "Each department has its own data report, its own planning tools, which are mostly Excel files... They don't collaborate."Listen to our latest podcast now for an insightful conversation on how real-time data is reshaping the future of #financialplanning and analysis. For the latest tech insights visit: EM360Tech.com

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  27:14
• Building Trust in Data: Transparency, Collaboration, and Governance for Successful AI

  "So you want trusted data, but you want it now? Building this trust really starts with transparency and collaboration. It's not just technology. It's about creating a single governed view of data that is consistent no matter who accesses it, " says Errol Rodericks, Director of Product Marketing at Denodo.In this episode of the 'Don't Panic, It's Just Data' podcast, Shawn Rogers, CEO at BARC US, speaks with Errol Rodericks from Denodo. They explore the crucial link between trusted data and successful AI initiatives. They discuss key factors such as data orchestration, governance, and cost management within complex cloud environments. We've all heard the horror stories – AI projects that fail spectacularly, delivering biased or inaccurate results. But what's the root cause of these failures? More often than not, it's a lack of focus on the data itself. Rodericks emphasises that "AI is only as good as the data it's trained on." This episode explores how organisations can avoid the "garbage in, garbage out" scenario by prioritising data quality, lineage, and responsible AI practices. Learn how to avoid AI failures and discover strategies for building an AI-ready data foundation that ensures trusted, reliable outcomes. Key topics include overcoming data bias, ETL processes, and improving data sharing practices.TakeawaysBad data leads to bad AI outputs.Trust in data is essential for effective AI.Organisations must prioritise data quality and orchestration.Transparency and collaboration are key to building trust in data.Compliance is a responsibility for the entire organisation, not just IT.Agility in accessing data is crucial for AI success.Chapters00:00 The Importance of Data Quality in AI02:57 Building Trust in Data Ecosystems06:11 Navigating Complex Data Landscapes09:11 Top-Down Pressure for AI Strategy11:49 Responsible AI and Data Governance15:08 Challenges in Personalisation and Compliance17:47 The Role of Speed in Data Utilisation20:47 Advice for CFOs on AI InvestmentsAbout DenodoDenodo is a leader in data management. The award-winning Denodo Platform is the leading logical data management platform for transforming data into trustworthy insights and outcomes for all data-related initiatives across the enterprise, including AI and self-service. Denodo's customers in all industries all over the world have delivered trusted AI-ready and business-ready data in a third of the time and with 10x better performance than with lakehouses and other mainstream data platforms alone.

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  22:59
• Why is a Customer Data Strategy a Competitive Edge?

  Takeaways#CMDM is essential for creating a unified and accurate view of the customer. Trust comes from how responsibly data is handled.Ethical data use is a competitive advantage and builds trust.Executive sponsorship and cross team buy-in is crucial for MDM projects.A strong customer #datastrategy is a competitive edge, not a side project. SummaryCustomer Master Data Management (CMDM) as Matthew Cawsey, Director of Product Marketing at Stibo Systems describes, "about having a master record of a customer, as opposed to many organisations where customer data gets created and authored in potentially dozens of different CRMs, ERPs, and finance systems.”In this episode of our 'Don't Panic, It's Just Data' podcast series, Christina Stathopoulos, Founder at Dare to Data, speaks with Matthew Cawsey and Arnjah Dillard from Stibo Systems. Matthew and Arnjah explain the importance of CMDM and CXDC for maintaining positive customer engagement.Learn how to move from basic personalisation, ethically use #data, leverage #AI for a better customer experience. Let’s transform your messy data into a competitive advantage. For the latest tech insights visit: EM360Tech.com

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  30:18
• The Peak of Data and AI: Speaker Sneak Peek

  In the latest episode of the Don’t Panic It’s Just Data podcast, we connected with speakers who provided a preview of their presentations at the upcoming Peak of Data and AI event in Seattle organised by Safe Software from May 5-8, 2025. This premier gathering, hosted by Safe Software, the creators of FME, will be a hub for data and AI innovators, and this podcast episode offers an exclusive look into what attendees can expect.Our conversation featured Margaret Smith and Reshma Joy from the West Virginia Department of Transportation. They shared their crucial work in ensuring data integrity through rigorous validations of their Linear Reference System data. This foundational work underpins much of their operational efficiency and decision-making. They further revealed how they’ve achieved seamless integration between Survey123 and their R&H data, showcasing a strong example of how disparate systems can be harmonized for greater insight. This presentation will provide attendees with actionable strategies for enhancing data quality and interoperability.We also spoke to Bruno Blanco, a GIS Engineer from Shelby County 9-1-1. Bruno walked us through how FME supports critical aspects of their 911 addressing workflow—particularly data aggregation, QA/QC, and attribution—within a larger automation framework. This work highlighted the power of automation in critical public safety infrastructure. By streamlining their addressing processes, Shelby County 9-1-1 is improving response times and ensuring more accurate location data, ultimately saving lives. Bruno’s presentation will offer valuable insights into how organisations can leverage FME to automate complex workflows and enhance operational efficiency.This episode serves as a compelling preview for the main event at The Peak of Data and AI. If you’d like to learn more about Bruno and Shelby County 9-1-1’s story, check out their success story with Safe. For further information on what we’ve talked about and to register for The Peak of Data and AI event in Seattle, please head over to peakofdataintegration.com.TakeawaysData validation is essential for accurate operations.FME enables seamless integration of disparate systems.Automation of critical processes improves public safety.Networking and community learning are key benefits of The Peak.Breakout sessions provide valuable hands-on FME knowledge.AI is increasingly influencing data integration workflows.

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  8:40

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