What is Dancing-Data?
I'm Glenn Koenig, the owner of Dancing-Data. I provide consulting and advice in the area of data management for anyone from an individual at home, to a medium sized business or non-profit.
We all use data, stored in our devices, on a daily basis. Sometimes, we find ourselves a little beyond our capacity to keep track of all the data we have accumulated or perhaps we want to do something new with it. That's were I come in. In a few hours, I can start you on the right track, whether it's "normal" computer tasks, such as backing up, cleaning out, or buying newer equipment, or keeping track of items for business or personal use, such as collections or inventory, events, transactions, or other lists.
We all use data, stored in our devices, on a daily basis. Sometimes, we find ourselves a little beyond our capacity to keep track of all the data we have accumulated or perhaps we want to do something new with it. That's were I come in. In a few hours, I can start you on the right track, whether it's "normal" computer tasks, such as backing up, cleaning out, or buying newer equipment, or keeping track of items for business or personal use, such as collections or inventory, events, transactions, or other lists.
Approach
I specialize in working with individuals. Even in small to medium sized businesses or non-profits, it's the people doing the work I most closely relate to. Because of my background, I can quickly understand the needs and challenges of a great variety of clients. I prefer to work directly with client personnel to understand, in detail, the issues and challenges they face in their daily work.
In database design, my approach is an integration of needs assessment, implementation, testing, and training, often all taking place within the each sit-down session. I use the 'agile' method of development, where implementation is incremental, slowly including new features one at a time, based on an original agreed upon plan. The result is that personnel never face a major break in user experience and retraining takes place in a gradual way.
In database design, my approach is an integration of needs assessment, implementation, testing, and training, often all taking place within the each sit-down session. I use the 'agile' method of development, where implementation is incremental, slowly including new features one at a time, based on an original agreed upon plan. The result is that personnel never face a major break in user experience and retraining takes place in a gradual way.
Experience
After working in a software engineering firm for a few years in the mid 1970s, I left the position in 1980 to become self employed. My mission in life was to expand beyond a desk in a cubicle, writing software. Since then, I have worked professionally as a video producer, product design engineer, writer, photographer, and business consultant. In the late 1970s, I was elected as a citizen legislator in local government and served for 16 years. In the early 2000s, I was instrumental in starting a community non-profit organization and served as its first president of the board. In 2017, I published my first book, entitled "a man wearing a dress," now available everywhere books are sold. For details, see the Message Rain web site.
Consulting History
In 1985, I bought my first computer, a Macintosh 512K. I purchased a copy of FileMaker Plus in 1986 and began using it right away. As a member of the Boston Computer Society, I volunteered to provide free advice, over the phone, for other Society members. I volunteered to answer questions in a variety of topics, but eventually, most of the calls were about FileMaker and from beginners, just starting out with computers. Eventually, the number of calls rose to an average of two per day!
By the late 1980s, a new kind of request started coming in. As more features were already being added to FileMaker, people found themselves too busy running their businesses or organizations to continue customizing their own databases for themselves. They started looking for someone to visit their offices and do the work for them, and I was ready. By 1993, demand was so great that I was working full time as a FileMaker consultant for a variety of clients.
By the late 1980s, a new kind of request started coming in. As more features were already being added to FileMaker, people found themselves too busy running their businesses or organizations to continue customizing their own databases for themselves. They started looking for someone to visit their offices and do the work for them, and I was ready. By 1993, demand was so great that I was working full time as a FileMaker consultant for a variety of clients.
Today
Today, FileMaker has grown into a major database system product, including server software, desktop workstation versions (for both Mac & Windows platforms) with SQL support, web browser access, and a "Go" version for portable devices. Details are available at FileMaker, Inc.'s website.
As FileMaker has changed, so have I. I have decided to shift my focus more toward individuals with computer and smart phone issues because I see more and more people who need help in this area, and I seem to be relatively well qualified to help them. I have also established a lower hourly rate structure to so that I can be more affordable to the average person in need of help.
As FileMaker has changed, so have I. I have decided to shift my focus more toward individuals with computer and smart phone issues because I see more and more people who need help in this area, and I seem to be relatively well qualified to help them. I have also established a lower hourly rate structure to so that I can be more affordable to the average person in need of help.
Subsequently, he created the name Dancing-Data to represent his services.