Legacy data, by definition, is old information often stored on obsolete computer systems or storage programs and can potentially be difficult to access and use. With information technology systems constantly evolving and finding new efficiencies for many industries, it’s becoming increasingly common to have data left behind on another system, in another server, or in another building, etc. Legacy data is stored on old systems after you’ve moved on to another server or software system to collect, store, and utilize new information coming in, all in real-time.
Legacy data isn’t always needed in every mining operation, but when it is needed, it’s difficult and sometimes expensive to access. That’s why you need a suite of software programs and processes that can extract old data and add it to a growing set of new data points that can be useful for the next jobsite. Just because your old data is on your old servers doesn’t mean you can’t access it, or at least it shouldn’t matter.
Flexible Data Management
What utilizing legacy data comes down to is flexibility. Your data management solution has to be able to accurately record and store the data you need to excavate and explore. Part of that flexibility becomes even more important when you need to find and manage old data that still might help you even though it’s stored in old computer systems and data banks.
In the mining industry, it’s difficult to maintain the integrity of your data. You need quality and usability in your data management solutions, which isn’t always easy when you need data you collected months or even years ago. Being adaptable and able to search and use legacy data is key.
Collecting and Accessing Data in One System
Using data recorded from real-time inspections and explorations is the key to making any mining operation successful. If you can put all that data into one place, under one administrator, you’ll have easier access to the all the information you need. Searching legacy data can add to the growing breadth of precious information and make it much easier to know what you’re getting into and how to get the right resources as efficiently as possible.
Storing data on one solution takes time and patience, but when everything is accessible in a singular place, legacy data and brand-new data included, makes everyone’s jobs easier. The more information you have access to, the lower your risk is when you invest in a mining operation.
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t have to expend more resources and budget to access data you’ve already collected and stored. Collecting and storing data is difficult enough without having to do it twice. With a flexible and fully-integrated data storage and collection solution, you can access legacy data when you need it and keep all your information in one system for easy access and use. Data mining solutions are constantly upgrading to collect data faster, provide easier access, and produce more powerful, useful analytic models that can be used to efficiently extract and model mining resources at every job site.
See how MICROMINE’s flexible data management solution, Geobank can help your organisation access and utilise legacy data.
