By Louis from Wine Services
In the wine sector, data collection is a complex process, requiring precise and rigorous methods to guarantee reliable results. At Wine Services, the importance of data capture, integration and quality control are at the heart of our services, providing our customers with detailed and relevant monitoring of their distribution in the marketplace. This article reveals how we ensure comprehensive data collection and efficient quality control.
Data entry: a combination of automated and manual methods
To guarantee the accuracy of the information collected, Wine Services uses two complementary methods: automation via OCR and manual entry. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) automatically captures key information from PDF wine lists, such as wine, vintage and price. This automated process, via software called ECR, is fast and efficient for handling large volumes of data. Automation is ideal for standard, OCR-compatible documents such as PDF wine lists. Once the data has been OCRized, formatting and formalization are essential. Here again, we have developed our own matching algorithms, followed by human verification for our customers’ data and that of their competitors.
However, some data still needs to be entered manually. For this reason, we also provide manual input for restaurants and wine shops whose formats are not supported by OCR. Thanks to this combination of two methods, we can cover a wide range of outlets, guaranteeing the completeness and accuracy of the information collected.
Data collection includes numerous quantitative elements (prices, formats, DN, AOC, vintage…), ensuring complete coverage of our customers’ needs.
Data integration and rigorous quality control
Once the data has been collected, it is integrated into our system via a technology platform, a powerful tool that centralizes all information relating to wines, restaurants and wine merchants. This platform allows us to organize the data and automatically check that the KPIs (performance indicators, for example: 85% coverage of Michelin-starred restaurants) have been met, before releasing the information to our customers. Data integration is achieved by importing files, where data is structured for fluid, efficient management.
Data quality control is a crucial step in guaranteeing the reliability of the information transmitted to our customers. Wine Services has developed a warning system that automatically detects anomalies in the data, such as prices that are too high (20% above the median market price) or inconsistent vintages and every point of sale lost by customers is manually checked.
For example, for Bordeaux wines, a young or too-old vintage can trigger an alert.
A dedicated team then manually checks the reported data to ensure its accuracy. Four people are part of the quality team that checks data at the various stages of the process.
This system is particularly valuable for sensitive products such as vintage champagnes, where an error on the vintage can lead to a misperception of the product by customers.
Quality control challenges and solutions at Wine Services
Data quality control in the wine sector is not without its challenges. Some markets, such as Dubai, are particularly complex due to significant price differences compared to European standards. These differences lead to a high rate of warnings, requiring closer monitoring. Similarly, Asian markets pose language difficulties and barriers to accessing online wine lists, making data verification more laborious.
To overcome these obstacles, Wine Services has put in place rigorous corrective procedures. As soon as an error is detected, whether reported by a customer or by our system, we immediately check the information and make the necessary corrections. Sometimes, these corrections can impact several aspects of the database, requiring coordination with our technical teams to avoid inconsistencies.
Data update frequency
The frequency of data updates varies from market to market. In some markets, such as the United States and Asia, we have set up continuous monitoring to detect changes in online wine lists in real time, with a turnaround time for processing and quality control of around two weeks. This system is particularly useful in markets where digitization is advanced and wine lists are frequently updated. For other, more stable markets, an annual survey is carried out, guaranteeing regular data updates.
Conclusion
The data capture, integration and quality control process at Wine Services is a key element in our commitment to providing our customers with reliable, up-to-date data. Thanks to our combination of automated and manual methods, our high-performance warning system and our numerous quality controls and corrective procedures, we guarantee the quality of the information on which our customers rely to optimize their distribution strategy.
If you’d like to find out more about our data collection services and how we can help you improve your market position, contact us today.
