As a marketing agency that keeps track of data for its marketing strategy, there’s a call to use data-tracking software.
The time of keeping track of leads in Google Spreadsheets or storing thousands of data rows in Excel is long gone. Because data management can be a nightmare.
Let’s see a little glimpse of what we mean.
Consider a typical day of most people online: they start by reviewing texts and emails, then hop on the bus and scroll through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
At midday, they look up prices for new shoes they’ve been eyeing over lunch and review showtimes for a movie a friend suggested on Facebook.
That’s just a few websites people visit, leaving traces any time they go online.
As a third-party firm, monitoring these activities and collecting these data using Google Spreadsheets for Web Ads can be daunting.
As the database grows, you’ll quickly discover the limitations of a simple spreadsheet: unresponsiveness, long loading times, and formatting hiccups that cause hard-to-find formula errors.
When this occurs, it might be time to transfer your database online through data tracking software.
You must have already noticed that hundreds of resources are available, ranging from free software to high-priced enterprise solutions.
This is why we’ve put together a list of 15 data tracking software you can check out.
But first, let’s go over data tracking and the most crucial factors to consider when selecting database tracking software.
Table of contents
What is Data Tracking?
Data tracking is the process of gathering, identifying, and categorizing individual data points in the data pipeline so that they can be used in the data processing.
The methods that businesses use to organize their data, as well as the ethical structure that they use to protect user privacy and security, are all part of data tracking.
The word “data tracking” refers to the hardware and software that, when combined, allows you to know exactly where something is at any given time.
Through data tracking, you can measure temperature, moisture, and a variety of other variables depending on the application.
How Do You Keep Track of Data?
If you’ve ever worked on a big data analysis project, you know how difficult it is to keep track of everything.
Every data analysis project is different, and there are always a variety of good ways to organize your data.
Here are a few tactics that I used in a recent project to keep track of data and I think you might find useful.
They didn’t necessarily make the project easy, but they kept it from being overwhelming.
#1. Keep relevant files together by using file directory structures
Our data set showed which analyses were needed for each outcome.
As a result, all files and their corresponding file folders were arranged according to the outcomes.
We could hold all of the specific raw and cleaned data, programs, and output in one directory by organizing it by outcome variable.
This made finding the final data collection, measurement, or production for any given analysis a breeze.
It’s possible that you won’t want to arrange your directories by result. Choose a directory structure that makes it simple to locate each collection of analyses, as well as the data and output files that go with them.
#2. Split large data sets into smaller relevant ones
From our last analysis, there were around a dozen outcomes, each of which was a scale. To put it another way, each one had a plethora of variables.
Rather than creating a single massive and unmanageable data set, each outcome scale created its own.
Demographics, controls, and condition variables were all in their own data set, as were variables that were common to all analyses.
We combined the common variables data set with the appropriate specific variable data set for each study.
This helped us run each analysis without dealing with a slew of extra variables.
When performing secondary data analysis on a broad data set, this technique can be beneficial.
Consider which variables are shared across all analyses and which are exclusive to a particular model.
#3. Do all data manipulation in syntax
It’s tempting to make changes to menus without recording them, then save the changes in a separate data file while cleaning data.
It might be faster in the short term, but it will cost you time and a lot of frustration in the long run.
Over and beyond the inability to locate and record errors (we all make them), the issue is that you won’t be able to clean a huge data set in one sitting.
As a result, you must save the data at each sitting in order to keep track of changes. You don’t want to overwrite the files, so you build a new version instead.
If you do this every time you clean data, you’ll end up with hundreds of different versions of the same information.
A few strategic versions may make sense if each is used for unique assessments.
However, if you have too many, it can be difficult to figure out which version of each variable is where.
Instead, consider this.
Begin with a single raw data set.
Create a syntax file that opens the raw data set, cleans, recodes, and computes new variables, then saves a finished version ready for review.
It’s fine if you don’t finish the syntax file in one sitting. You can connect to it later and, with a single click, rerun all from your previous sitting.
No issue if you choose to use menus instead of writing syntax.
As you go, copy and paste the commands. The aim is to build a clean syntax file that produces a new version of the data set, not a new version of the data set. As you go, make changes.
If you make a recoding error, fix the syntax rather than the data file.
If you need to make some minor adjustments? It only takes seconds to rerun if everything is set up correctly.
Since all the modifications are recorded in the syntax file, overwriting the completed data set is not a concern.
What is the Best Data Tracking Software?
#1. Visyond
Visyond is a browser-based, stable, cloud-based spreadsheet modeling, research automation, and interactive reporting platform that focuses on data security and digital innovation.
With Visyond’s data-tracking software, you can understand and visualize the structure of your financial models. At the same time, you can save countless hours by automating repetitive analytical activities and present the results of your work in an impactful and engaging way, assisting decision-makers in making better decisions faster.
Visyond also helps you create a centralized repository for your spreadsheet results, including updates, assumptions, documents, and conversations, in the same environment where you perform calculations, analyses, and visualizations.
It’s one of the best software for data tracking.
#2. Zoho Creator
Zoho Creator is a low-code online database software platform that allows you to create personalized apps and keep track of data.
You can create multi-platform apps ranging from simple call logs to complex ERP apps using drag-and-drop elements with 30+ information types (URL, picture, decimal, etc.).
At first glance, Zoho Creator appears to be a simple database program. But it’s one of the very efficient data tracking softwares.
The user interface is simple and could be improved, but don’t be fooled by its simplicity. To code advanced features and create complex applications, Zoho Creator uses its own Deluge programming language, which you must understand.
It’s easy to paint oneself into a corner when there’s no big group around Deluge on Stack Overflow or similar platforms.
Zoho Creator’s pricing starts at €10 monthly per user when billed annually.
However there are free options, but they’re fairly limited. You can only build up to five applications for the free Personal account, but that might be enough for you for a long time.
#3. TrackVia
TrackVia’s web service focuses on converting spreadsheets from Excel or other applications into efficient databases.
It then allows you to create online forms and send email marketing campaigns directly from its web app, emphasizing its business focus.
It was designed primarily for large businesses in the construction, manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, banking, and energy industries.
Form builders and drag-and-drop capabilities allow you to customize your workflows. For custom projects like supply chain processes or field service management, TrackVia provides advanced features like workflow automation and monitoring.
The fact that no free accounts are available adds to the presumption that TrackVia is not for personal use.
The cheapest package, which costs $30 a month, gives you 150,000 database records and 1 GB of file storage for your money.
#4. Easy Data Tracker
Easy Data Tracker is another data tracking software that stands out.
The software is dynamic but intentionally easy to use. You don’t have to be a computer whiz to get the information you need to manage your business.
While other CRM solutions try to cram features into their program, they give you the best tools you need to manage your business.
#5. Quick Base
Quick Base is a web-based database designed for non-technical users who want to create custom applications.
A drag-and-drop interface, visual processing modeling, and shape builders are included.
Since multiple users within a community share a shared data storage, Fast Base facilitates project collaboration.
You can transform the way your data is used and safely empower your people to deliver real-time insights from one unified platform.
This platform grants you access to browse by your usage case or industry.
We rank them as one of the best data-tracking software in 2023.
#6. ZenBase
ZenBase is a web-based database application builder allowing users to construct and manage their business data quickly.
It is built on technology that enables even non-technical users to build a data grid using a simple user interface easily.
Project management, inventory management, product category, business directory, and other business solutions that suit a company’s process or workflow can all be custom designed.
Inside a cloud database, it allows you to build, read, edit, and delete information.
Column grouping, expanding/collapsing objects, image display, and typing autocomplete are all features of the ZenBase program.
This online database app also supports the fast upload of CSV and other file types to the cloud database.
Aside from that, ZenBase is excellent for creating interactive reports from the data in your tables.
Companies that have their method of collecting and processing data and their workflow can get the most out of their business application because it can be customized.
There aren’t any pricing details available. Users can try it after submitting their email addresses.
#7. Infinity
Infinity is one of the database tracking softwares that is flexible.
This platform allows you to build flexible frameworks and processes by using an infinite number of boards in your workspace and structuring each board to follow your data flow.
Folders, sub-folders, and tabs may be used to arrange items in your workspace. Date, labels, text, checkboxes, formulas, and attachments are just a few of the 15+ attributes you can add to your pieces.
Looking for a calendar view to arrange your e-commerce orders by date? Do you want to divide your staff into departments? Infinity is the right software for you.
Multiple views, such as Table, Columns, List, Calendar, Gantt, and Form, are available in Infinity database software, allowing you to see your data from a different perspective.
At the same time, you can filter, group, and customize options to show it most logically.
#8. Airtable
Airtable, like most of the other online database applications on this list, uses a spreadsheet to represent a database.
It provides a relational data model that can be used to coordinate different business projects using Grid, Calendar, Kanban, and Gallery views.
You can use Airtable automations to submit updates, automate activities, and integrate with other applications.
It integrates with Zapier, Workato, Integromat, and Automate.io, allowing you to communicate with a wide range of third-party apps.
Airtable, unlike Infinity, does not provide live support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you’ll have to focus on email or a self-serve knowledge base.
Otherwise, it’s a flexible and straightforward database program that’s ideal for team collaboration in real-time.
#9. Memento Database
Memento Database is one of the best sofware to track and organize data with the extremely customizable database for Andriod and Desktop.
The application’s desktop edition includes a robust reporting framework based on Jasper Reports.
The flexibility and diversity of the features make it possible to create an app that perfectly suits your taste.
Interestingly, it has large flexibility for advanced users and simplicity for those who simply want to manage their daily lives are combined in a single solution that works in a variety of situations.
You may construct a variety of fields, such as text, numbers, check boxes, and locations, among others.
You may show data in a list, a set of cards, a table, a map, or a calendar using a variety of views.
Most importantly, Memento Database has an offline mode that allows you to work on your projects even when you are not linked to the internet.
The adjustments are synchronized with the data in the cloud when the link is reestablished, allowing for online collaboration.
Memento allows you to use JavaScript to perform complex tasks and calculations.
It is a database program that is relatively simple to use and can be used by non-programmers.
The lack of advanced customization options is one of Memento Database’s drawbacks. Customizing forms, for example, is not possible.
When billed annually, Memento Database’s pricing begins at $2.5 per user per month.
#10. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is an online database and collaboration tool with an Excel-like user interface.
It’s a sophisticated database platform that’s ideal for creating hybrid cross-data spreadsheets or automated spreadsheet workflows.
It also has a number of useful features, such as integrations with third-party apps like Zapier.
One of its drawbacks, according to user feedback, is that it has a steep learning curve, and it takes a long time to get used to using this database program.
Many who are familiar with Excel will note that not all formulas are interchangeable between the two systems.
Smartsheet integrates with the enterprise tools and apps you’re already using, so you can focus on the work that matters most.
Smartsheet is perfect for small businesses with basic needs, but it falls short if you need more versatility than the table view provides.
#11. Retool
Stop wrangling with UI databases, putting data sources together, and working out access controls. Start using shipping softwares that will help you grow your company.
Retool is that one amazing data tracking software.
It is an online database software that allows users to construct custom internal resources by linking them to databases and APIs using drag-and-drop building blocks.
It’s a low-code development platform for developers that allows them to add JavaScript code blocks that are then executed as sandboxes JS.
Building Blocks, Tables, Lists, Charts, Forms, Wizards, and Maps are among the elements used in Retool.
Retool integrates with JavaScript, GitHub, React, Slack, and MySQL, making it a developer’s tool. GitHub PR Dashboard, Charts, Customer Support Tools, and Firebase Admin Panel are just some useful pre-built features.
Retool advertises itself as a platform designed for developers by developers, so it’s best for the IT department to use it. It’s not the best option for non-technical teams.
#12. Stackby
Stackby is an online database that blends the versatility of databases with the simplicity of spreadsheets, allowing users to create their work resources through integrations with business APIs.
You can build your database by importing data from spreadsheets into a custom project or using one of the 100+ pre-built templates.
Although Stackby database software has various competitive pricing plans, you should be aware of each plan’s restrictions.
For example, the business plan has a cap of 50 stacks, so you won’t be able to operate on more than 50 databases in a workspace unless you upgrade to a customizable enterprise plan.
When billed annually, Stackby’s pricing starts at $4 per user per month, but this personal plan only allows other users to view your documents and is not ideal for teams.
RowShare is a real-time collaboration spreadsheet that allows teams to work on the same table.
There are two views available in this online database software: table and shape.
For HR, marketing, finance, sales, and other ventures, RowShare has a variety of table templates.
It can import and export tables from one application to another and is compatible with Microsoft Word and Excel.
In terms of protection, the row-level permissions feature allows administrators to grant users access to specific rows on a row-by-row basis, restricting access to sensitive information.
RowShare’s biggest flaw is its lack of versatility. It will work for you if you need a simple database software tool to build custom datasheets.
RowShare, on the other hand, does not have more advanced solutions or different data views, such as Gantt or Columns.
#14. XB Software
Educational institutions should monitor hundreds of metrics relevant to their student’s academic success daily to measure the efficacy of their teaching methodologies.
Given the complexity of modern education, completing such a job manually is nearly impossible.
Hence, this firm was tasked with creating an online app for monitoring student performance results.
Fortunately, evaluation apps make it simple for educational organizations to monitor, visualize, and evaluate the effectiveness of their programs.
The app should allow users to review and edit a list of students, including their name, contact information, and average grade.
Users should be able to request comprehensive information about a specific learner, such as their grade in a specific subject.
The app allows teachers to monitor their working hours, student attendance, and other parameters.
Interestingly, teachers will look at overall curriculum improvement, individual average grades, attendance, and grade by subject, among other things. The app can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching team.
#15. Zenkit
Zenkit online database program is a project management solution that allows team members to collaborate in real time.
Users may use drag-and-drop features to configure their projects and manage data during the project life cycle.
Zenkit is a single product that combines teamwork, calendar management, task management, file sharing, and project search functionality. It’s also available as a mobile app for Android and iOS.
The Zenkit Wiki view, for example, allows users to build a knowledge base from corporate data in a Wikipedia-like format.
You can group unstructured data using text fields, marks, topis, and hierarchy.
Zenkit is a free online database program for individuals and paid team plans.
Conclusion
There are a plethora of data collection and storage applications available on the internet.
Today, we’ll look at a few web-based databases that you might find useful for everything from client records to vaccination records for each of your thirteen dogs over the last few years. Whatever piques your interest
References
- theanalysisfactor.com – 3 Tips for Keeping Track of Data Files in a Large Data Analysis
- startinfinity.com – 15 Best Online Database Software for Managing Your Business
- lifehack.org – 8 Web Databases for Tracking, Collecting and Recording Data
