Data Analysis Tool

Whether you work with several ProSystem fx Office products across multiple locations or use only one product in a single office, routine database maintenance can be tedious and time-consuming. Based on customer feedback, CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business, has developed a Data Analysis Tool [DAT] to help make your data auditing process a little easier. Using this FREE add-on tool, you can:

• Identify duplicate records - Know you're working with the most current version of your client and staff data.
• Identify missing data - Make sure your client and staff data is complete. Although some missing data may not be required in current versions of our software, it may be used in future enhancements.
• Identify mismatched data - Ensure your client and staff data is the same across all of your CCH products.

By identifying duplicate records and missing and mismatched data, you can improve the quality of your CCH client and staff data and ensure your firm's databases are accurate and complete.

How it works

The DAT checks the common client and staff data in your application databases and makes recommendations that you can use to locate missing data, remove duplicates and resolve inconsistencies. It does not modify your data, only analyzes it and produces reports.

Maintaining correct, consistent and complete data is an important best practice for getting the most out of your software. Now that tax season is over, it's the perfect time to make use of this helpful tool. With clear reporting of duplicates and inconsistencies, the DAT simplifies the process for you, saving you time and effort.

Get the Data Analysis Tool

What is the Data Analysis Tool [DAT]?

The DAT helps to ensure that only valid client information is included in your databases and that your data is the same for all products. This tool will not modify your data. It is used for analysis and reporting purposes only.

Which databases will the Data Analysis Tool analyze?

You can use the DAT to analyze databases from any of the following ProSystem fx products:

• Tax — Desktop/Network
• Tax — Global fx
• Practice
• Practice Management
• Document

How do I use the Data Analysis Tool?

You can use this tool in two ways: to verify your product client data and to compare common client data that exists across multiple products and/or multiple offices.

• The Verify process provides reports that list errors or inconsistencies.
• The Compare process shows how information about the same client or staff member may not be the same in different application databases.

After the DAT has produced each report, you can correct your data manually. We recommend running the Verify process first. After you have manually removed duplicates and corrected invalid data, run the Compare process for comparing client data across multiple product databases.

What does the "Verify" process do?

The verification process looks at common data within an individual database and finds corrupt, missing and invalid data or duplicate records. Several databases may be verified at the same time. Reports can be run on active, inactive or all clients. Some fields listed as missing or invalid may not be required in a current release, but may be used in future enhancements. If you encounter any issues when working in the program, please read the help file.

What does the "Compare" process do?

The comparison process looks at data between two or more databases to find matching records and reports any inconsistent data within the records. Comparisons are made based on "Primary fields of comparison" that you choose. If you have linked data [for example between Tax and Practice Management], a Linked Client Report will compare the linked data.

What if I don't have multiple products?

If you only have one CCH product, you can still use the Compare process to compare data for the same product in multiple databases. For example, if you have multiple offices, you can use the DAT to ensure your data is consistent across all offices. If you don't have multiple CCH databases, you do not need to run the Compare process; however we recommend the Verify process for all customers.

What do I need to do before using the Data Analysis Tool?

Before you begin using the tool, you should make sure all users are out of the applicable products and create copies of your databases. Update all products to be analyzed to the latest production version. Failure to do so may provide inaccurate results.

Detailed instructions are available in the support documentation.

How do I access my Global fx databases?

To analyze Global fx files, you will first need to request and download them from CCH servers. The DAT will guide you through this process.

I went through both the Verify and Compare processes, now what do I do?

After running each process, save or print the verification and comparison reports. Use the reports to manually enter missing information, delete duplicate records, or correct invalid data. We recommend running the Verify process first. After you have manually removed duplicates and corrected invalid data, run the Compare process.