Data Conversion Tips – Accessing Data from a Client PC

One of the toughest challenges we face as data conversion consultants is equipping ourselves with proper access to the information that we need to convert. It is vital during a data conversion project that we have access to the data we are converting in order to move the project forward. As it turns out accessing data can become a big challenge. There are many reasons for these challenges. However, the biggest reason is usually lack of technical expertise on the client side. If you are performing a one time conversion, here are four things you can try to get through that first milestone. You can try and take some responsibility in helping the client without making your efforts counter productive. First, you should always ask the obvious first. Ask the client how their current software vendors access their network. After all if you are converting data from another application, there is a good chance that the application is being supported somehow. If the client has Windows XP Professional, you can try and connect via remote desktop. There may be a good chance that these services are active. All you would need to do is get the IP address of the machine. Make sure it an external IP address. Otherwise, you won’t be able to reach the PC. Accessing the client IP address is easy to find out and something you can help the client with. You can walk your client through opening a command prompt and have them type “ipconfig” (without the quotes). The Ipconfig command displays the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for all adapters. Ask the client read it the information back to you. You may have something to work with. This will be all the information you will need to give remote desktop a try. If the client has a recent operating system version, try using a service to access their data. I have had incredible success using GoToMyPc.com. The client must open an account with the company and install software on to their machine. The company has software that is easy for them to install. Using this service eliminates the need for a public IP address and it is transparent for you and the client. Plus GoToMyPC.com supports the software install. You should not help the client install the software. Simply encourage the client to go to their site and try. The downside to this is the client will have to pay for the service during the duration of your project.As a last resort you should ask the client if they have a consultant that helps them with their network. You may be surprised to see that many companies do have someone to help them. Encourage them to set an appointment with the consultant to set up a method of connection. While this method is very effective, it does cost the client money. However, it is well worth it as most people want to move the conversion project forward.

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