Information Distribution

The Information Distribution phase has exploded into new directions since the Internet has become a mainstream service channel. Everyone wants to distribute information over the web and most assume it is very easy and cheap to do so. Make sure you understand all the options and the related costs and benefits of each one. It is also wise to remember that opening up access is not the problem. The real issues are controlling access, encryption, administration efforts, and training for correct usage.

• Reduce first before distributing. Decide early what pieces need to be distributed and to whom.
• Consider a publish-and-subscribe type of delivery. This lets you place the reports or report shortcuts in a central place where your consumers can come and pick them up. The distribution load is then based on real requests and is usually much less than sending everything.
• Building and maintaining the required segregation and navigation guides to any one individual report is one area that people usually forget to plan. This can grow to a very large work effort. Some tools assist in this effort.
• Distribution techniques also control the format of the object you are distributing.
• Don’t pay excess attention to the messenger and forget the message. Focus on the information being sent and not on how it gets sent!
• Remote access also prevents you from helping the recipient to interpret the contents. Make sure you have adequate support and usage compliance as required by your system.