Get Your Data in Alfabet FastLane

Up-to-date information is a key challenge to understanding the IT portfolio. One of the most important tasks is to capture your data in Alfabet FastLane so that you can begin using its powerful analytics. Once you have imported the data that describes the objects in your IT landscape, you can begin to understand and align your IT portfolio with the business strategy.

Alfabet FastLane recognizes that you may have various data sources or even unstructured data. Some of the data may be simple to add manually or you may have complex data sources across multiple files. Alfabet FastLane enables you to manually input data in easy-to-use data workbenches for the easy cases as well as import data via preconfigured XSLX files that you download from the Data Capture functionality.

The following methods of data capture are available in Alfabet FastLane:

Capture data via XSLX import: Only the Portfolio Admin user profile can import data via the Data Capture functionality. Alfabet FastLane provides preconfigured XSLX files that let you capture large amounts of data and import it. Data can be collected on a class-by-class basis or based on specific business questions you want to answer. The capability to capture data based on your relevant business question allows you to gain immediate insights to your IT portfolio. Once you have added your data to the XSLX file, you can upload it and then check the completeness and quality of your data. You can repeat this process repeatedly.

Capture data manually: Users with the Portfolio Admin or Portfolio Manager user profile can add and edit the data in data workbenches which are standard data capture views. This is an effective method if you have only a short and simple list of data to capture or data needs to be periodically updated. For example, if your company has only a few locations or only a few business units, you could easily capture those locations or organizations in data workbenches. To capture data in this way, go to the Class Repository and click the link of the object class you want to capture data for.

This agile data capture approach decreases the intial workload and allows you to derive value quickly. Not all object classes are required at first, and you only need to capture data for the object classes that are relevant for your enteprise. Once the main objects are captured, you can specify the relationships and dependencies between those objects. Once the initial bulk upload is completed, you can continue to add more data or update your existing data whenever necessary to manage your IT repository and keep it up-to-date. The imported data will be available in the database and other users in your user community with relevant access permissions can further refine or complete the data input in the context of data workbenches.

Click the image text to find out more about what to do next.