Data Products

What It Does:

Matchmaker produces a master index and linkage table to connect records across databases.

Context:

Multi-service organizations often rely on several software systems and databases to deliver their work. This is for good reason: for example, software optimized for scheduling home care services are not necessarily the best tools to use for employment counselling. Furthermore, some funders mandate that their grantees use specific software to capture information about service users.

The Problem:

When service users access multiple services, their service history can become fragmented across multiple databases. Without linking these databases together, it is impossible to know how many unique individuals are being served or understand their service progression through the organization.

How It Works:

Matchmaker is built using DataMade's excellent dedupe Python package which employs fuzzy-matching techniques and cleverly leverages machine learning to cluster and weight matching criteria.

Tech Specs:

Built in Python and compiled with a user interface for Windows, this program runs locally so that sensitive data never leaves your secure environment. Can be adapted for other operating systems or automation on server instances.

What It Does:

Retriever is an automated tool that fetches reports from web-based client management systems.

Context:

Client management systems excel at helping organizations to record and track information about service users. They typically come with built-in reports, but when those don't cut it, it is sometimes necessary to export data and build reports in another tool.

The Problem:

Some client management systems can be greedy: they readily consume your information, but make it difficult to get it out. For example, exporting data can be a manual process that requires users to select a report from a list, set date ranges and other filters, and select a download format and destination. It's not a lot of clicks, but it can add up if you want to update your data daily or if you need to export multiple reports at a time.

How It Works:

Retriever mimics your mouse and keystroke interactions to automatically complete the steps required to export data from your web-based client management system. Choose as many reports as you like and define the date ranges and filters to pre-fill on each export.

Tech Specs:

Built in R Shiny with Selenium Server, Retriever has been programmed for use with VitalHub's Pirouette, but can be adpated for other web-based client management systems. It provides a simple user interface that can be triggered manually or set to run automatically on a server.