To us, it’s pretty important to have current and relevant data when you need it. That’s why we work so hard to make sure our data is verified and accurate. But lately, we’ve encountered some skeptics who think that having Data that’s a month or six months old is just fine. There have been questions as to why real-time information would be important to have! Shocking, we know.
While everyone is entitled to their opinion, we thought it might help to break it down for some of these real-time skeptics. Below are some experiences from colleagues and friends about how outdated data can just really mess up your day:
1. Closed Businesses 
“Sometime last year, a couple of friends and I planned to meet up in Manhattan for dinner. After getting dressed and taking a long train ride into midtown, we arrived only to find the restaurant had closed. It was out of business. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to eat in NYC – but picking a good one, while walking up and down the blocks in heels, in the cold…not so fun.”
2. Email Bounce Backs
“I was trying to throw a surprise birthday party for a friend of mine and was gathering up emails of their former colleagues and friends. I sent out the e-vite and got a few bounce backs. I guess they had left their job or something. So, I couldn’t invite them. I wanted to, but how am I supposed to find an updated email address when the only person who might know was my friend and it was a surprise party? If LinkedIn isn’t up to date, I’m not sure what else you could do without blowing your cover!”
3. Disconnected Phone Numbers
“I’m sorry, the number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please hang up and try again.” Words that make your skin crawl. Especially if you’re trying to reach a family member or connect with that great Thai restaurant you went to a few years ago and couldn’t quite remember the address.
4. Wrong Directions 
There’s nothing like your GPS giving you the complete wrong directions making you very late to an appointment…or telling you to turn left right into wall that used to be a driveway 3 months ago. No, that doctor’s office is not in the middle of the lake GPS!
5. Delayed Information
“I was in the airport in Dallas heading back to Newark. Because the weather was not that great, I checked the airport website and found out my flight had been delayed. I immediately signed up for flight alerts through the airport website and headed over. It was around lunch time and I wanted to grab a bite to eat since I had about 30 minutes before my flight. The waiter was taking forever because the place was packed and I kept checking my phone for any emails on further delays. Once I finally got my food, I rushed to finish since I didn’t have much time left. I ran out to the gate, only to find that the flight HAD been delayed an additional 30 minutes. I could have taken my time, if only I had been alerted faster!”
These are just a few everyday examples about the inconveniences of out-of-date data. Data is everywhere. It informs the decisions you make every day, so having the right data when you need it, really makes a difference.
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