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Data Processing

Qoben, Ben Siemerink, web and database application development Qoben provides services and products for all phases of data handling. Basically there are three main parts: collect data; analyse or convert data; and provide information. Any part or any combination of them can be offered.

Collect Data Data that is not readily available has to be retrieved. Qoben has the know-how to get your data in different circumstances, such as remote databases and distributed network elements. The result can be stored in ways as diverse as a central server's database or a single XML file.	Analyse Data This is a process that converts data into information. It takes numbers and words and turns them into strategic or management information, by looking for tendencies, anomalies, exceptions, or all of them.	Present Information The way information is presented is as important as how the data is analysed. Well-structured information helps the user or visitor to quickly find what he looks for. Appropriate graphs, tables and summaries aide greatly in getting the message across.

Collect Data

Data that is not readily available has to be retrieved. Qoben has the know-how to get your data in different circumstances, such as remote databases and distributed network elements. The result can be stored in ways as diverse as a central server's database or a single XML file.

Analyse Data

This is a process that converts data into information. It takes numbers and words and turns them into strategic or management information, by looking for tendencies, anomalies, exceptions, or all of them.

Present Information

The way information is presented is as important as how the data is analysed. Well-structured information helps the user or visitor to quickly find what he looks for. Appropriate graphs, tables and summaries aide greatly in getting the message across.

Examples

An organisation has data about its members spread across various databases and lists: email addresses are kept in various email programs; membership information and financial records are both in a separate lists. All this information is merged in a way that it is easier to find and to use for all staff and that its integrity is garanteed.
A research agency wants to collect specific data from various sites from the internet. Furthermore it wants to collect that data periodically for trend analysis. A system is developed that retrieves that information and stores it in a central database. Additionally, that information can be consulted via a web interface that provides various tools for trend analysis.

Elaborated Example: Monitoring Moving Solar Panels

A good example that illustrates these three steps is the control of moving solar panels. These panels are mounted on a structure that can turn both horizontally and vertically. That way the panels can always be pointed towards the Sun for optimal use.

The first step is to retrieve data from the moving structures, including their positions. In the second step these retrieved positions are compared with the actual computed position of the Sun. The third step is to generate a graph that displays the structure's point error.

The result is the graph that is displayed along these lines. The green lines show the computed position of the Sun, the red dots the structure's position. Elevation is the vertical angle (90° being the Zenit, 0° being the horizon); azimuth is the direction (0° being North, 180° being South). You can view the graph's full size by clicking on it.

Interestingly, the graph shows that the structure put itself partially in its rest position on the second day at about two o'clock p.m. pointing itself Southwards, while it kept working fine along the vertical axis.