Do you DIY? by Vickie Malis

I'm a big fan of doing things myself. Love that DIY network! I've installed my own laminate flooring and taken down a wall to expand my family room. I make my own soups from scratch and hand knit kid's clothes. And I'm really good at these things. So what's the problem?

I have a day job.' I have important deliverables that I need to accomplish and they eat up a lot of my time. I can't get all of my DIY projects done there just isn't enough time. So, I outsource' some things when I need to focus on higher priority responsibilities. I pay an installer, take home prepared food from the deli, and buy the kid's sweaters. Everything at work and home gets done on time and I look like a hero!

Janet Sinclair, the Executive Director of the PODS Association, USA, wrote an article in World Pipelines [1] that reminds me of how the same principle applies to pipeline integrity management. The article focuses on the importance of pipeline data integration as a both a legal responsibility and a benefit to smooth pipeline operations. It emphasizes that pipeline integrity management depends on good data and easy access to it attribute, construction, operational and inspection data.

The best source for attribute and construction data is the as built' package turned over by the contractor at the completion of pipeline construction. Yet the job of sifting through all of the paper and electronic data can take months to complete. And if the pipeline is 30 - 40 50 years old, it could take exponentially longer. In addition, if the physical legacy records are spread across multiple locations, some still out in the field, it may never be fully completed. Mission critical pipeline activities and responsibilities are also competing for that same required time and talent. This also applies to pipeline modifications and operational and inspection records. The records are largely physical documents and spread across multiple locations, including the field.

There is an outsourcing option for the entire process. Iron Mountain's Pipeline Integrity Management Solution includes secure transportation and storage services, document imaging and indexing/classification services, consulting expertise and engineering partners with the technical knowledge and experience to create a personalized, outsourcing solution, regardless of where the documents are located.

Of course, you can do it yourself- and you would do a really good job! But it makes more sense to outsource this work to a qualified partner. You can focus on your day job,' reduce your risk exposure, increase the data integrity of your content management system and look like a hero all at the same time!

[1] Janet Sinclair, Linking Data To Get The Full Picture, World Pipelines, January 2013. http://www.pods.org/assets/file/jan13.pdf. Accessed November 25, 1013.

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2014/service-lines/records-management-an...
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