Getlink

Getlink, a pioneer in the movement to bring together people, goods, data, and energy, had a goal: to digitally transform their organization and improve data-driven decision-making. But the organization lacked a true data culture, which made it difficult to answer “where,” “how,” and “when” as it relates to data. They struggled to identify data, map data assets, and establish a common data language related to key performance indicators (KPIs) and their definitions. And, they needed to ensure regulatory compliance with mandates such as GDPR.

Getlink also faced challenges related to:

• Data exposure: Getlink’s data was siloed within departmental databases, making it difficult for users to access the data and insights they needed in a self-service way.
• Data valorization: to increase competitiveness and improve customer service, Getlink aims to move beyond its current use of big data, AI, and modern statistical analysis to extract better, more discrete information from the large volumes of data it produces.
• Data quality: Getlink’s goal is to shift conversations from the data itself to the insights the data delivers. But to do so, Getlink must prioritize improving data quality management.

To create a data-driven culture and common data vocabulary across Getlink Group, the team embarked on a digital transformation that aimed to define and deliver the data roadmap in support of the group’s development.

Initially, the project did not include a data catalog. But the team soon discovered that implementing one was necessary to reach their goals. Getlink selected DataGalaxy and quickly implemented the solution to support data labeling and traceability on the data platform. To accelerate adoption, the business and IT groups adopted an implementation strategy that included discussion and definition between the groups so they both could become familiar with concepts such as data dictionary, business glossary, data lineage, and more.

The teams began by defining a use case, selecting HR as the first one. The social report is essential in human resource management; the team uses it for both compliance with legal obligations and analysis of social situations at any given time. The social report includes seven components:

• Employment: headcounts, hires, promotions, absenteeism
• Remunerations and accessory changes: amount, charges, profit-sharing
• Health and safety conditions: work accidents, commute accidents, occupational diseases
• Other working conditions: physical working conditions, occupational medicine, working time duration and arrangement
• Training: training leaves, apprenticeships, continuous training
• Professional relations: staff representatives, information and communication
• Other life conditions relevant to the company: social activities, social charges

Getlink was using several reports to deal with the social balance sheet, and their goal was to reduce these reports into one, consolidated report for use throughout the organization. The team brought together the French and UK HR teams to define the KPIs, language, and vocabulary used in the various reports, and align on common definitions for use moving forward.

Now, using DataGalaxy, users gain a 360-degree view of their data from both a functional and technical perspective. Google-like search features make it easy for all users to have the information they need, right at their fingertips. If a user doesn’t understand a term or definition, they can easily chat with a data steward to gain clarity on the meaning, eliminating the need to send emails back and forth.

Productivity has improved because users no longer need to spend time searching for the data they need to make decisions. Instead, they can quickly search DataGalaxy and in just a few clicks, they can retrieve the definition and continue working, confident they are using the right data for the task at hand. In the past, this kind of search would have involved one to two days’ worth of time and numerous emails back and forth between the business and IT.

In the future, Getlink hopes to expand its use cases aligned with its data and BI roadmap.