Social Compact and DataFlux Team to Improve, Integrate Economic Development Data

Release date: 8/1/2007

Non-profit organization leverages DataFlux data quality and data integration technology to improve the data used to analyze untapped urban markets

CARY, N.C. (August 1, 2007) — Social Compact, a non-profit organization that promotes business investments in under-served communities, has chosen DataFlux software to improve the quality of information used to determine attractive areas for urban commercial development. The organization uses DataFlux technology to improve and integrate data pulled from a variety of public, private, and commercial repositories – vital information that provides the basis for Social Compact’s analysis of potential investment opportunities in urban communities across the country.

Social Compact provides reports and market analysis to local governments and economic agencies, community organizations and businesses that are interested in developing urban commercial projects. These reports combine consumer and geographic data to pinpoint areas that lack goods or services and highlight community strengths to spur sustainable, private investment.

Because the raw data arrives from multiple sources in a variety of formats, the organization turned to DataFlux to help standardize, validate and integrate this data. With a consistent foundation of data, Social Compact can make more accurate decisions about potential economic development opportunities.

“Through its reports, Social Compact helps organizations understand where potential market opportunities exist – and what type of commercial activities could fill these needs,” said John Talmage, president and CEO of Social Compact. “DataFlux provides the most powerful and configurable solution that allows us to address the integrity of our underlying data, leading to more powerful and accurate reports for our constituents.”

DataFlux technology allows Social Compact to analyze the state of data as it arrives, providing a guide for future data improvement efforts. The high-quality data created by DataFlux technology provides the foundation for analytics solutions from SAS, the parent company of DataFlux, which can help Social Compact deliver more insightful reports about potential opportunities. SAS and DataFlux are both donating software and project management resources for these efforts.

“Through the years, DataFlux technology has assisted a number of non-profits in using the power of data quality technology to improve the value of their data,” said Tony Fisher, president and CEO of DataFlux. “Social Compact provides a vital service to communities who need a stronger economic base, and we’re excited to help them find ways to strengthen these programs through the effective management of vital consumer information.”

About Social Compact
Social Compact is a coalition of business leaders from across the country that is promoting successful business investment in lower-income communities for the benefit of current residents.

Social Compact leverages its leadership's combined business expertise to address some of the key impediments to private investment in inner-city communities, namely, negative stereotypes – reinforced by poverty and deficiency data coupled with a lack of dependable business-oriented market information – and an absence of effective inner-city market analysis models. Social Compact addresses these issues through its inner-city neighborhood market analysis, the DrillDown, and through municipal and community trainings and consulting, and contributions to community development innovation.