A well-known fact about Data – “Data is crucial Asset in an organization when managed in an appropriate way”

“Data Governance helps Organizations to manage data in appropriate way”  

Some Customers Says Data Governance is a Best Practice and Optional but not a Mandatory Strategy to Implement.

Then ask few Questions to your Customer:

• Is Your Data Reliable or Trustworthy?
• Is Your Data Follow Compliance?
• Is your Business Protected?
• Is Your Data Holding You Back while taking business decisions? 

Why are You Taking a Risk? Here Understand why Data Governance is no longer optional in today’s data-driven world.

Common Challenges with organization Data:  

The world is creating millions of terabytes data every single day. But 80% of enterprise data remains with Poor Quality and unstructured, inaccurate or inaccessible that leads to poor decision-making, compliance risks, and inefficiencies.

Poor data quality impact on businesses and costs of millions of dollars annually due to lost productivity, missed opportunities, and regulatory fines.

Learn How Data Governance Impacts on Organization  

1. Improved Data Quality & Decision-Making

50% of data scientists’ time is getting wasted while cleaning and organizing messy data instead of deriving insights. Without governance, businesses rely on outdated, inconsistent, or redundant data leading to poor decisions.

Data Governance Program ensures:

• Data accuracy, consistency, and reliability across all departments
• Standardized data entry, storage, and usage policies
• Reduction in data duplication, errors, and conflicting information

2. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation

Companies face significant penalties for violating data regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA, including substantial fines, potential criminal charges, and reputational damage. They are paying over billions of $ in fines for data breaches and non-compliances

Data Governance Program ensures:

• Proper data classification and retention policies
• Compliance with industry regulations and security standards
• Clear data ownership and accountability

3. Enhanced Data Security & Protection Against Breaches

Most of the small businesses shut down within six months of a data breach. The average cost of a data breach is now $4.45 million.

    Data Governance Framework helps:

• Define who has access to what data and when
• Encrypt and protect sensitive customer and financial data
• Establish incident response protocols for breaches

4. Increased Operational Efficiency & Cost Savings

Bad data costs enterprises 30% of their revenue annually. Inefficient data management leads to:

• Wasted employee hours searching for or fixing data
• Siloed departments working with conflicting data
• Delays in automation, AI, and analytics

Data Governance Program ensures:

• A single, authoritative source of truth for all teams
• Elimination of redundant and duplicate data entries
• Streamlined AI and analytics workflows

5. Breaking Down Data Silos Across Departments

Most of the executives say their teams make decisions based on siloed data. This creates inefficiencies, misaligned strategies, and lost revenue opportunities.

Data Governance Program ensures:

• A common data language across business units
• Seamless integration between data platforms (ERP, CRM, Cloud)
• Cross-functional collaboration for AI and automation projects

6. Better Risk Management & Disaster Recovery

93% of companies that suffer a major data loss without backup shut down within one year. Without governance, businesses struggle to recover critical data after a breach or system failure.

A governance program helps:

• Track data lineage for accountability
• Ensure data backups and disaster recovery protocols
• Identify high-risk data and apply extra security layers

7. AI & Digital Transformation Readiness

85% of AI projects fail due to poor data quality. AI models require structured, accurate, and unbiased data—which is impossible without governance.

A strong governance program:

• Optimizes data for AI, ML, and predictive analytics
• Prevents bias, inaccuracies, and redundancies in AI models
• Ensures data is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable)

Conclusion:

Without Governance of Data:

• Data turns from an asset into a liability
• Inaccurate analytics leads to Poor decision-making
• Security risks lead to Compliance violations & data breaches
• Operational inefficiencies lead to Wasted resources & duplicated efforts

With Governance of Data:

• Trustworthy, accurate data for better decisions
• Compliance with GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and more
• Seamless collaboration across teams
• Scalability as your business grows

A structured Data Governance approach turns enterprise data into a competitive advantage.

In today’s dynamic business environment, data governance is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a strategic advantage.

Salesforce continues to lead the CRM landscape in 2025, offering businesses unparalleled capabilities for system integration. Whether connecting with databases, ERP platforms, or customer-facing applications, Salesforce’s integration features empower organizations to achieve seamless workflows and enhance overall efficiency.

What is Salesforce Integration?

At its core, Salesforce integration links the CRM system with other internal or external business applications, ensuring data flows smoothly and processes remain synchronized. For example, if critical data resides in one platform but is needed in another, integration acts as the bridge, enabling cohesive operations across systems.

In today’s interconnected business ecosystem, independent software systems are becoming obsolete. Effective integration isn’t just a convenience; it’s a strategic necessity for businesses aiming to boost productivity and deliver superior customer experiences.

Why Choose Salesforce Integration?

Salesforce is already a powerhouse for customer relationship management and operational agility. However, most organizations operate with multiple data hubs. Integrating Salesforce with other systems unlocks substantial benefits, including:

• Efficient Data Management: Streamlined data distribution across channels ensures accuracy and accessibility.
• Operational Streamlining: Integration eliminates bottlenecks by enabling smooth data exchange.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Real-time data synchronization fosters teamwork across departments.
• Informed Decisions: Aggregated data from various platforms provides actionable insights for decision-making.
• Competitive Edge: Leveraging integrated data helps businesses innovate and stay ahead.

Example in Action: Salesforce email integration, one of the simplest yet most impactful integrations, synchronizes emails and calendars across platforms. This enhances client communication and simplifies workflow management.

Top Benefits of Salesforce Integration

• Increased Productivity

Automating repetitive tasks lets teams focus on strategic activities. Salesforce’s mobile app further ensures productivity by granting remote access to key tools and data.

• Comprehensive Customer Insights

Salesforce consolidates customer data across touchpoints—like marketing, sales, and support—to deliver a 360-degree view of customer preferences and behaviors.

• Smarter Decision-Making

Salesforce’s dashboards and analytics tools empower businesses to make data-driven decisions, from sales forecasting to evaluating customer satisfaction.

• Better Collaboration

Integration with tools like Google Workspace or Outlook enhances coordination, while Salesforce Chatter provides a social networking-style platform for team collaboration.

• Scalability and Customization

Salesforce adapts to specific business needs, supporting custom fields, workflows, and third-party app integrations available on AppExchange.

• Cost-Effective Operations

With its cloud-based infrastructure, Salesforce eliminates the need for upfront IT investments, offering predictable subscription-based pricing.

• Elevated Customer Experience

Integration enables businesses to offer personalized, seamless experiences across multiple communication channels.

Integration Methods for Salesforce

Salesforce supports diverse integration approaches tailored to businesses of all sizes:

• Native Integration Tools: Features like Salesforce Connect allow real-time access to external data without duplication, while the Data Loader tool is perfect for bulk data imports.
• Third-Party Middleware: Platforms like MuleSoft, Zapier, and Work to simplify complex integration scenarios, providing pre-built connectors for popular systems.
• API-Based Solutions: Salesforce APIs, including REST and SOAP, support highly customizable integrations for unique business needs.
• Remote Call-In: Salesforce stores data while an external system handles operations like create, update, and delete. This method is commonly used for syncing order statuses from external management systems.
• Request and Reply: Salesforce requests a task from an external system and waits for a response, ensuring two-way communication. This is ideal for scenarios needing immediate feedback.
• Fire and Forget: Salesforce sends a request without waiting for completion, allowing independent processing. Best for asynchronous tasks where real-time responses aren’t needed.
• Batch Data Synchronization: Data is exchanged in bulk at scheduled intervals, making it efficient for handling large datasets without real-time processing.
• Data Virtualization: In this model, data is displayed within Salesforce when needed but is not stored permanently. Data virtualization is handy when accessing external systems through tools like Apex SOAP, Salesforce Connect, or REST Callout within a Visualforce page. This approach reduces data redundancy while ensuring timely access to critical information.

These patterns provide flexible options for integrating Salesforce with external systems, catering to diverse business requirements.

Tip: For organizations managing multiple Salesforce instances, native Salesforce-to-Salesforce integration is a powerful solution for seamless collaboration.

Types of Integration in Salesforce

Salesforce supports three primary types of integration to address different business objectives:

• Data Integration: Synchronizes information between platforms for real-time updates.
• Business Logic Integration: Links backend systems for complex workflows.
• User Interface Integration: This creates a unified experience by integrating Salesforce with other applications’ UIs.

Implementing Salesforce Integration: Best Practices

To ensure successful integration, follow these steps:

• Set Clear Goals: Identify objectives, such as improving efficiency or consolidating customer data.
• Define Integration Points: Determine specific touchpoints like accounts, orders, or payments.
• Gain Stakeholder Support: Align integration efforts with broader business strategies and secure executive buy-in.
• Adopt a Long-Term Vision: Ensure integration aligns with scalability and evolving business needs.

Conclusion

Salesforce integration is a transformative solution for modern businesses. Connecting disparate systems enables seamless workflows, smarter decision-making, and enhanced customer engagement. Whether you opt for native tools, third-party solutions, or custom APIs, Salesforce provides the flexibility and scalability to meet your unique business requirements.

Embrace integration and elevate your business operations to new heights in 2025 and beyond.

Looking ahead, our next blog will explore various methods of integrating external systems with Salesforce in practice. We’ll examine each approach in detail and provide practical solutions to help you select the best method for your integration needs. Stay tuned!

Why Do We Need to Add and Verify a Domain in Microsoft 365 (M365)?

1. Establishing Professional Identity

• By adding your custom domain, you can create email addresses (e.g., you@yourcompany.com) that align with your business name. This adds professionalism and credibility to your communications.

2. Personalizing Services

• Verifying your domain allows you to customize services like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive to reflect your organization’s identity, making collaboration more consistent and branded.

3. Email Delivery and Routing

• To ensure emails sent to your custom domain are routed correctly to Microsoft 365, adding and verifying your domain is critical. This involves setting up DNS records like MX, SPF, and CNAME.

4. Securing Your Domain

• Verifying your domain protects it from unauthorized use. Only verified owners can manage the domain within Microsoft 365.

Add a Domain

1. Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
2. Go to the Settings > Domains page.
3. Select Add domain.

1. Enter the name of the domain you want to add, then select Next.

1. Choose how you want to verify that you own the domain.

1. If your domain registrar uses Domain Connect, Microsoft will set up your records automatically by having you sign in to your registrar and confirm the connection to Microsoft 365.
2. We can use a TXT record to verify your domain.

1. Once domain is verified, we can go ahead and add other Exchange online record like TXT, MX and CNAME record.

2. Please find the below recording for above mentioned steps.

Add new domain

Refer: Add a domain to Microsoft 365 – Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn

Add and Verify the Exchange Online Record

1. TXT Record Verification

• Sign in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
• Navigate to Settings > Domains and select your domain.
• Add a TXT record to your DNS hosting provider with the following details:
  • Host/Name: @
  • TXT Value: MS=msXXXXXXXX (unique ID provided in the admin center)
  • TTL: 3600 seconds (or default value)
• Save the record and return to the Admin Center to click Verify.

2. MX Record Verification

• If TXT verification isn’t supported, use an MX record instead.
• Add an MX record to your DNS hosting provider:
  • Host/Name: @
  • Points to Address: Domain-com.mail.protection.outlook.com
  • Priority: 0
  • TTL: 3600 seconds
• Save the record and verify it in the Admin Center.

3. CNAME Record Verification

• Add a CNAME record for services like Autodiscover:
  • Alias/Name: Autodiscover
  • Target: Autodiscover.outlook.com
  • TTL: 3600 seconds
• Save the record and ensure it’s correctly configured.

Refer: Add DNS records to connect your domain – Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn

Why Are TXT, MX, and CNAME Records Important for Exchange Online?

TXT, MX, and CNAME records play crucial roles in ensuring that your domain is correctly configured for Exchange Online and that your email and services work smoothly. Here’s why they matter:

TXT Records

TXT records are used to verify domain ownership and secure email systems.

• Domain Verification: When adding your custom domain to Microsoft 365, a TXT record proves that you own the domain.
• Email Security: TXT records support SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance), which prevent email spoofing and improve deliverability by ensuring only authorized servers can send emails on behalf of your domain.

MX (Mail Exchange) Records

MX records are critical for routing emails to the correct servers.

• They direct incoming emails for your domain to the Microsoft 365/Exchange Online mail servers.
• A misconfigured MX record can cause email delivery issues, so having it set up correctly is essential.

CNAME Records

CNAME records are used for service configuration.

• For Exchange Online, CNAME records like Autodiscover ensure that users can seamlessly connect their email clients (like Outlook) to Exchange Online without manually entering settings.
• They simplify and automate the connection process for end-users.

Together, these DNS records form the backbone of your domain’s email configuration, ensuring that everything from verification to email delivery and client connectivity operates effectively. Without these properly configured records, you might encounter issues like failed email delivery or difficulties in connecting to Exchange Online.

In Part 1 of this series, we learned about the importance of AWS and Pulumi. Now, let’s explore the demo part in this practical session, which will create a service on AWS VPC by using Pulumi.

Before We Start, Ensure You Have the Following

AWS Account with IAM permissions for resource creation

• Install Pulumi CLI:
  • # curl -fsSL https://get.pulumi.com | sh
• Install Python & Virtual Environment:
  • # python3 -m venv venv
  • # source venv/bin/activate # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
    •  # pip install pulumi boto3

Configure AWS Credentials

• Check if AWS CLI is Installed
  • Run the command:
  • # aws –version
• If AWS CLI is not installed, download and install it from AWS CLI installation guide.

Create an IAM User and Assign Permissions

• Go to the AWS Management Console → IAM → Users
• Click Create User, provide a username, and check Access Key – Programmatic Access
• Assign necessary policies/permissions (e.g., AdministratorAccess or a custom policy).

Generate Security Credentials

• After creating the user, download or copy the Access Key ID and Secret Access Key.

Configure AWS CLI with IAM User Credentials

• Run:
  • # aws configure
• Enter the credentials when prompted:
  • Access Key ID
  • Secret Access Key
  • Default region (e.g., us-east-1)
  • Output format (e.g., json)

Verify Configuration

• Run a test command, such as:
  • # aws sts get-caller-identity
• If everything is set up correctly, this will return the IAM user details.

Pulumi Version

AWS Configuration

Pulumi Dashboard

It will be included with the details mentioned above

• Overview
• Readme
• Updates
• Deployments
• Resources
• Settings

Deployment Steps with Commands and Screenshots

Step 1: Initialize a Pulumi Project

• # pulumi new aws-python

Step 2: Define AWS Resources

• Modify __main__.py to create a VPC:

Step 3. Pulumi Preview

• # Pulumi Preview

Pulumi Preview shows a dry-run of changes before applying them. It helps you see what resources will be created (+), updated (~), or deleted (-) without actually making any changes.

Step 4: Deploy Infrastructure

• # pulumi up

Pulumi up deploys or updates infrastructure by applying changes from your Pulumi code.

Step 5: Verify Deployment

AWS Console Page

Creating VPC Peering with Pulumi

Pulumi destroy

• # Pulumi Destroy

Removes all resources managed by Pulumi, restoring the environment to its original state. 

Step 6: Pulumi Stack Remove

• # Pulumi Stack rm <stack name>

Pulumi stack rm removes a Pulumi stack and its state but does not delete cloud resources unless –force is used.

After removed Stack

AWS Console Page after deleting VPC

Conclusion

Pulumi offers a powerful, flexible, and developer-friendly approach to managing AWS infrastructure. By leveraging Pulumi, you can:

• Simplify Infrastructure Management – Define cloud resources as code for consistency and repeatability.
• Enhance Productivity—Create a dynamic infrastructure by using Python’s full capabilities, including loops, functions, and modules.
• Improve Collaboration – Version control your infrastructure with Git and integrate seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines.
• Achieve Multi-Cloud Flexibility – Deploy AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud workloads without changing tools.
• Maintain Security & Compliance – Use IAM policies, automated policies, and state management to enforce best practices.

With Pulumi’s modern IaC approach, you can move beyond traditional Terraform and CloudFormation and embrace a more scalable, flexible, and efficient way to manage AWS resources.

Key Takeaways

• Code-Driven Infrastructure – Use loops, conditionals, and functions for dynamic configurations.
• Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Support – Pulumi works across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Kubernetes.
• State Management & Versioning – Store state remotely with Pulumi Cloud or AWS S3 + DynamoDB.
• Developer-Friendly – No need to learn a new domain-specific language (DSL); use Python!
• Experiment with More AWS Services – Deploy API Gateway, Lambda, or DynamoDB.
• Implement CI/CD with Pulumi – Automate deployments using GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or AWS CodePipeline.
• Explore Pulumi Stacks – Manage multiple environments efficiently.
• Read the Official Pulumi Docs – Pulumi AWS Documentation

References

• Pulumi Official Website: https://www.pulumi.com
  
• Pulumi AWS Documentation: https://www.pulumi.com/docs/clouds/aws
• Pulumi Python SDK: https://www.pulumi.com/docs/using-pulumi/languages/python
• AWS CLI Configuration: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/cli-configure-quickstart.html
  
• AWS IAM Best Practices: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/best-practices.html
  
• Pulumi GitHub Repository: https://github.com/pulumi/pulumi

My dad generally does not have a very strong opinion about anything. His best reaction was when we went to see the Taj Mahal in Agra, India and he said … “it’s good”. Not someone who will applaud anything vociferously. When he heard about the whole manifestation spiel from my sister, he recommended us to read Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr Maxwell Maltz, a 1960s book he read as a young man that he says “was amazing”.  Coming from someone whose emotional range is “okay” to “could be worse,” this was basically his version of fireworks… Naturally, I decided to check it out…

I expected old and outdated self-help type advice… the kind of “grind harder” energy of the war era that feels like it belongs in black-and-white movies. But instead? It did hit different. It felt modern, relevant, and annoyingly… effective. Hence this blog.

A Plastic Surgeon Turned Epistemologist (I know … big word for brain transformation)

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, the author of Psycho-Cybernetics, was a cosmetic surgeon in the 1960s who noticed something unusual: fixing someone’s nose or scar didn’t always fix how they felt about themselves. Turns out, their self-image… the mental picture they had of themselves… didn’t update with the surgery.

That’s when Maltz cracked the code: Your self-image is basically your brain’s blueprint its operating system. It’s like the app running in the background that controls how you act, react, and even hold yourself back. If your self-image is outdated, no amount of external changes will make a difference. But if you can rewire it? It could be a game-changer.

Gen Z Did NOT Invent Manifestation?

Okay, let’s talk manifestation. You’ve seen it… people whispering affirmations into their oat milk lattes, crafting vision boards with magazine clippings and pinterest boards, journaling their dream lives like they’re already living them. The vibe? If you focus your thoughts and energy enough, good things will find you…

But guess what? Maltz was onto this way back in 1960… before TikTok made it a trend. His version wasn’t about crystals or cosmic timing; it was about mental rehearsal. Picture your goals so clearly and consistently that your brain starts treating them like real experiences. No props!!

The Theater of Your Mind

Maltz called this technique “The Theater of the Mind.” Imagine yourself achieving your goals… like actually see it happening in your head. Whether it’s acing a presentation or finally asking out your crush without turning into a bundle of nerves, you rehearse it mentally until your brain starts to believe it…

It’s not magic; it’s mechanics. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between real and vividly imagined. So instead of overthinking or getting lost in distractions, you train your inner autopilot to aim higher…

Failure and Feedback

Here’s the part that stayed with me: failure isn’t a sign you’re not capable… it’s just feedback for your brain to adjust course. Maltz compared it to your GPS… when you make a wrong turn, it doesn’t panic …  it just calmly recalculates and finds another way…

For someone raised on perfection and performance, this was freeing. Mistakes aren’t the end… they’re just part of the route…

So… Is This Just Another Self-Help Book?

Maybe, the tropes are similar, but the styles and the tools aren’t. Psycho-Cybernetics isn’t about wishing for miracles… it’s about understanding and reshaping the self-image that quietly directs your everyday life. When you change how you see yourself, everything… your habits, your confidence, even your presence… begins to shift.

I started believing I could handle challenges that once made me retreat. And more than anything, I realized that a lot of my so-called “personality quirks” were just old thought loops on repeat.

Vintage Science Meets New-Age Glow-Up

If you’re into manifestation… scripting dream lives at 11:11 or creating mood boards full of palm trees and future homes… ask yourself this: what’s your self-image doing while all this is happening? Because no matter how often you visualize success, the author emphasizes that if your inner dialogue still sometimes doubts your worth, that vision may never fully land.

Maltz figured this out decades before hashtags and highlight reels. And maybe that’s why my dad felt a shift when he read this book… and why I’m feeling something similar now just at a different age, in a different world… Turns out, rewiring your brain never really is never going out of style. Try it, I highly recommend, or as my dad said its an “AMAZING” read.

Perficient’s experts recently attended Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas, immersing themselves in three days of meetings and networking with brands and partners amidst the lively atmosphere of smoke-filled hallways, pulsating music, and dazzling lasers. Justin Racine, Principal of Commerce, shared his insights with CMSWire, and we’ve highlighted some of his key takeaways below.

The Golden Age of Retail

Retail and customer experience are about to enter a transformative era—the Golden Age of retail. From the advent of department stores to the rise of shopping malls, consumers and brands are now shifting focus toward people over products. Businesses are increasingly prioritizing human connections, bringing joy and excitement back into shopping. Retail will serve as a medium for inspiring consumers to explore who they are, express their identity, and connect with the world around them.

Creating Customer Connections at Gap

Justin had the opportunity to hear from Gap CEO Richard Dickson, who underscored the importance of fostering meaningful connections between brands and their consumers. According to Dickson, Gap’s mission is to create products that empower customers to express their individuality. “We pride ourselves on giving customers the ability to make Gap their own—to wear it the way they want,” Dickson explained. He emphasized that while price and affordability matter, customers are willing to invest in experiences and products that elevate their sense of self.

Gap has successfully cultivated generational loyalty by creating memorable experiences for families. Parents shop at Gap for their kids, and those children grow up wearing the brand, forming a deep emotional connection. These cherished memories are often captured in photos, further embedding the brand into customers’ lives. By facilitating connections on a deeper, emotional level, Gap builds lasting generational impact and loyalty.

AI in Advertisements: A Conversation with Meta

While Shoptalk Spring emphasized the human side of consumer behavior, discussions around AI inevitably arose. Clara Shih, VP of Business AI at Meta explored the future of branding through AI, focusing on Meta’s Advantage+ toolset. This suite enables businesses to deliver targeted media and content across various channels. Shih showcased new features, including location-based ads on Facebook that integrate maps directing customers to nearby stores. Another demo highlighted AI-powered live chat within ads, allowing consumers to engage with brands directly in their active channel. These innovative features fulfill customers’ desire for seamless interaction and enhance their ability to connect with brands on a humanistic level.

A Conversation with Liza Lefkowski of Wayfair

Wayfair is also deepening its understanding of customers through the integration of data and experience. Liza Lefkowski, Chief Merchant and VP of Stores at Wayfair, discussed the brand’s expansion into physical retail and its aim to inspire and excite consumers. During her session, Lefkowski explained how store associates provide personalized guidance, bridging the gap left by an exclusively online presence. This approach fosters emotional connections between customers and the brand. “Stores are designed to stand on their own but also integrate seamlessly into the overall customer experience—it’s the immersive manifestation of Wayfair,” she said.

Retail Should Spark Emotion, Not Just Transactions

This spring marked Justin’s first time attending Shoptalk Spring, but the themes from the event echoed those from Shoptalk Fall last year: retail must delight, surprise, and connect with customers. While technology and AI are crucial, human connections remain the cornerstone of retail success. By inspiring customers to be the best versions of themselves, brands can create genuine, personal relationships that drive loyalty and satisfaction.

For more insights, visit Perficient’s retail and commerce expertise page.

To read Justin’s full article, head over to CMSWire.

When working with datasets in Excel, you might encounter situations where multiple values are stored in a single cell, separated by a newline character (added using Alt + Enter). This can make data analysis challenging.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to split such data into separate rows using Power Query, a powerful tool within Excel for data transformation.

Example Dataset:

Let’s consider the above example.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Power Query

Step 1: Load Data into Power Query

1. Select your dataset by CTRL+A (including headers).
2. Go to the Data tab → Click From Table/Range.
3. In the dialog box, ensure My table has headers is checked → Click OK.
   
4. This will open a new window.

Step 2: Split Column by Delimiter

1. 1. Select a column where multiple values are separated by newlines.
   2. Under the Home tab, find Split Columns and select By Delimiter.
   3. In the Advanced Options, choose to split the values into Rows or Columns, In this case we are splitting the columns in row wise. Hence selected as Rows.
   4. Under Insert Special Characters, select Line Feed and click OK.

Once it is loaded into the new Sheet then below is the output data.

By following these steps, you can efficiently split data with newline characters into separate rows, making your data analysis much easier.

Health insurers today are navigating intense technological and regulatory requirements, along with rising consumer demand for seamless digital experiences. Leading organizations are investing in advanced technologies and automations to modernize operations, streamline experiences, and unlock reliable insights. By leveraging scalable infrastructures, you can turn data into a powerful tool that accelerates business success.

IDC Market Glance: Payer, 1Q25

Perficient is proud to be included in the IDC Market Glance: Payer, 1Q25 (doc#US53200825, March 2025) report for the second year in a row. According to IDC, this report “provides a glance at the current makeup of the payer IT landscape, illustrates who some of the major players are, and depicts the segments and structure of the market.”

Perficient is included in the categories of IT Services and Data Platforms/Interoperability. IDC defines the IT Services segment as, “Systems integration organizations providing advisory, consulting, development, and implementation services. Some IT Services firms also have products/solutions.” The Data Platforms/Interoperability segment is defined by IDC as, “Firms that provide data, data aggregation, data translation, data as a service and/or analytics solutions; either as off-premise, cloud, or tools on premise used for every aspect of operations.”

Discover Strategic Investments for Innovation and Success

Our strategists are committed to driving innovative solutions and guiding insurers on their digital transformation journey. We feel that our inclusion in this report reinforces our expertise in leveraging digital capabilities to unlock personalized experiences and drive greater operational efficiencies with our clients’ highly regulated, complex healthcare data.

The ten largest health insurers in the United States have counted on us to help drive the outcomes that matter most to businesses and consumers. Our experts can help you pragmatically and confidently navigate the intense regulatory requirements and consumer trends influencing digital investments. Learn more and contact us to discover how we partner to boost efficiencies, elevate health outcomes, and create differentiated experiences that enhance consumer trust.

In the new episode of the “What If? So What?” podcast, Jim Hertzfeld and Deena Piquion, chief growth and disruption officer at Xerox, discuss how disruption and digital transformation can position companies to succeed in a rapidly changing technology landscape.

Deena is leading Xerox on a unique and pivotal reinvention journey as the company undergoes a significant transformation, expanding beyond its traditional print and copy services. Deena explains how the company is now focusing on enabling the modern workforce with AI-powered platforms, workflow automation, and IT solutions.

Data plays a crucial role in Xerox’s digital transformation strategy and highlights the importance of integrating data from various sources to create a unified view that enables better decision-making and more effective marketing.

Listen to the podcast to hear more about internal disruption and digital innovation!

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or visit our website.

Subscribe Where You Listen

Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Overcast

Meet our Guest

Deena Piquion, Chief Growth and Disruption Officer, Xerox

Deena Piquion is chief growth and disruption officer at Xerox. She previously served as chief marketing officer, and senior vice president and general manager of Xerox Latin America operations. Prior to joining Xerox in 2019, she was with Tech Data Corporation, where she last served as vice president and general manager of Latin America & Caribbean.

She is a member of the Advisory Board of Teach for America Miami Dade County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educational equity and excellence. Deena was awarded the Florida Diversity Council Glass Ceiling Award in 2016, was selected as a CRN Women of the Channel Honoree in 2017, and was named to Diversity First’s Top 50 Women in Tech 2021 and Top 100 CMOs in 2022.

Deena is actively engaged in her community and passionate about supporting children’s cancer research, and diversity and inclusion in technology. She is a dynamic blogger who created her own branded platform to share tips on personal and professional growth with an engaged following in the industry.

Connect with Deena

Meet the Host

Jim Hertzfeld is Area Vice President, Strategy for Perficient.

For over two decades, he has worked with clients to convert market insights into real-world digital products and customer experiences that actually grow their business. More than just a strategist, Jim is a pragmatic rebel known for challenging the conventional and turning grand visions into actionable steps. His candid demeanor, sprinkled with a dose of cynical optimism, shapes a narrative that challenges and inspires listeners.

Connect with Jim:

LinkedIn | Perficient

Introduction

Logging is an essential part of application development, especially in cloud environments where monitoring and debugging are crucial. In Azure Functions, there is no built-in provision to log application-level details into a centralized database, making it challenging to check logs every time in the Azure portal. This blog focuses on integrating NLog into Azure Functions to store all logs in a single database (Cosmos DB), ensuring a unified logging approach for better monitoring and debugging.

Steps to Integrate Logging Framework

1. Create an Azure Function Project

Begin by creating an Azure Function project using the Azure Function template in Visual Studio.

2. Install Required Nuget Packages

To enable logging using NLog, install the following NuGet packages:

Install-Package NLog
Install-Package NLog.Extensions.Logging
Install-Package Microsoft.Azure.Cosmos

3. Create and Configure Nlog.config

NLog uses an XML-based configuration file to define logging targets and rules. Create a new file named Nlog.config in the project root and configure it with the necessary settings.

Refer to the official NLog documentation for database target configuration: NLog Database Target

Important: Set Copy to Output Directory to Copy Always in the file properties to ensure deployment.

4. Create Log Database

Create an Azure Cosmos DB account with the SQL API.

Sample Cosmos DB Database and Container

1. Database Name: LogDemoDb
2. Container Name: Logs
3. Partition Key: /Application

5. Define Necessary Variables

In the local.settings.json file, define the Cosmos DB connection string.

{
  "IsEncrypted": false,
  "Values": {
    "AzureWebJobsStorage": "UseDevelopmentStorage=true",
    "CosmosDBConnectionString": "AccountEndpoint=https://your-cosmosdb.documents.azure.com:443/;AccountKey=your-account-key;"
  }
}

6. Configure NLog in Startup.cs

Modify Startup.cs to configure NLog and instantiate database connection strings and log variables.

using Microsoft.Azure.Functions.Extensions.DependencyInjection;
using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection;
using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;
using NLog.Extensions.Logging;
using Microsoft.Azure.Cosmos;

[assembly: FunctionsStartup(typeof(MyFunctionApp.Startup))]
namespace MyFunctionApp
{
    public class Startup : FunctionsStartup
    {
        public override void Configure(IFunctionsHostBuilder builder)
        {
            builder.Services.AddLogging(loggingBuilder =>
            {
                loggingBuilder.ClearProviders();
                loggingBuilder.SetMinimumLevel(LogLevel.Information);
                loggingBuilder.AddNLog();
            });

            builder.Services.AddSingleton(new CosmosClient(
                Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("CosmosDBConnectionString")));
        }
    }
}

7. Add Logs in Necessary Places

To ensure efficient logging, add logs based on the following log level hierarchy:

Example Logging in Function Code:

using System;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using Microsoft.Azure.Cosmos;
using Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs;
using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;

public class MyFunction
{
    private readonly ILogger<MyFunction> _logger;
    private readonly CosmosClient _cosmosClient;
    private readonly Container _container;

    public MyFunction(ILogger<MyFunction> logger, CosmosClient cosmosClient)
    {
        _logger = logger;
        _cosmosClient = cosmosClient;

        // Initialize Cosmos DB container
        _container = _cosmosClient.GetContainer("YourDatabaseName", "YourContainerName");
    }

    [FunctionName("MyFunction")]
    public async Task Run([TimerTrigger("0 */5 * * * *")] TimerInfo myTimer)
    {
        var logEntry = new
        {
            id = Guid.NewGuid().ToString(),
            timestamp = DateTime.UtcNow,
            logLevel = "Information",
            message = "Function executed at " + DateTime.UtcNow
        };

        // Insert log into Cosmos DB
        await _container.CreateItemAsync(logEntry, new PartitionKey(logEntry.id));

        _logger.LogInformation("Function executed at {time}", DateTime.UtcNow);
    }
}

8. Deployment

Once the function is ready, deploy it to Azure Function App using Visual Studio or Azure DevOps.

Deployment Considerations:

• Define necessary environment variables in Azure Function Configuration Settings.
• Ensure Azure Function App Service and SQL Database are in the same network to avoid connection issues.
• Monitor logs using Application Insights for additional diagnostics.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully integrate NLog into your Azure Functions for efficient logging. This setup enables real-time monitoring, structured log storage, and improved debugging capabilities.

There’s no doubt that every Director or Manager wants a high-performance team that delivers the best results and allows them to focus on building new business opportunities.

Come on, let’s face it! If we were comparing a work team with a sports team, who wouldn’t want to have a Barcelona Soccer Club, the Dodgers baseball team, or the Philadelphia Eagles in American football?

It’s easy to think and say, right? But where does the secret for building high-performance teams lives?

Martin Zwilling, founder and CEO of Founder & CEO at Startup Professionals, Inc., recommends the following list of actions for both entrepreneurs and senior executives to achieve the highest performance from team members (Zwilling, 2020):

Clearly and iteratively communicate team goals and objectives: 

Don’t rely on those who understand the message quickly; at least repeat it five times in different forums to ensure it was heard and understood.

Define and document role content and standards for performance: 

Don’t assume that team members already know what the expected standards of excellence are.

Give team members the right to make decisions in their role. 

Remember that micromanagement is not an effective way to achieve top performance. Instead, you can practice process coaching and let the team make their own decisions and improve step by step.

Relay regular informal observations on progress and results. 

Take the time to provide informal feedback weekly or even daily. This will help address gaps gradually and increase the team members’ psychological safety.

Give team members the training, tools, and data to do the job. 

As a Scrum Master working in an agile framework, you are a servant leader. Team members cannot be top performers without necessary resources. Leaders should anticipate these requirements, listen carefully to feedback from team members, and provide resources on a timely basis.

Diligently provide follow-up and support on assistance requests. 

As a leader you should recognize and support your team in situations that go beyond their domain.

Reward positive results. 

Recognition is important for leveraging the team members confidence and the team’s health.

Related to this topic, the Center for Human Capital Innovation provides also some examples and key factors for high-performance teams:

1992 US men’s Olympic basketball team, known as the “Dream Team” tell us that “the essence of a high-performance team isn’t found in the individual capabilities of its members but in their ability to adapt, learn, and evolve into a synergistic unit. This transformation was marked by a shift in the team’s approach to playing together, emphasizing mutual understanding, trust, and a unified strategy” (Center for Human Capital Innovation, 2024).

Taking in consideration the last paragraph, high-performance teams relays on:

• Shared Vision and Direction by aligning team members to a common objective.
• Quality of Interaction: ensure trust, open communication and desire to embrace conflict happens.
• Sense of Renewal: high performer teams should feel empowered to take risk and innovate.

On the other hand, Expert Panel a former Forbes Councils Member provide these tips for optimizing the team’s level and avoid burnt out as well: 

• Set boundaries and priorities between work and personal life.
• Encourage your team to succeed by discussing the goals so everyone is on the same page with priorities, timelines and deadlines.
• Identify tasks to be automated so everyone can have more time for learning, improve their performance and also have more time.
• Be transparent by sharing the business case, listen to the team’s feedback and ensure everyone feels valuable on what their role provides to the business.

I hope these tips will help you to get your desired top performer team. Be patient but most importantly, work on it!

Bibliography:

• Zwilling, M. (2020, 16 julio). 7 key steps to getting top performance from your team. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-key-steps-getting-top-performance-from-your-team-martin-zwilling/
• Innovation, C. F. H. C. (2024, 8 abril). Managing High-Performance Teams: Strategies for Success. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/managing-high-performance-teams-strategies-wcl8e/
• Panel, E. (2023, 2 junio). Council Post: 20 tips to Optimize your Team’s Performance level Without burnout. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2023/06/02/20-tips-to-optimize-your-teams-performance-level-without-burnout/

Are you a PM or BA who has been assigned a project or platform that is new to your company? If so, you may find that there’s a learning curve for everything that needs to be executed, especially when it comes to the launch. Not all platforms are the same; they can require different steps to go live. Below is a list of steps I take when creating a launch checklist.

Meet with Your Team

Start by meeting with your team and stakeholders to create a list of action items needed for the launch. Ask each individual what they need to complete, when they need to finish it, and how long it will take. Don’t just focus on activities for the day of the launch; also inquire about tasks that need to be completed in the days, weeks, and even months leading up to it. Remember, there may also be post-launch activities to consider.

List in Order

After compiling your action items, group them into time frames. I like to break them down into categories: one month before launch, two weeks before launch, the day before launch, the day of launch, and post-launch. Work with your team to identify any dependencies between tasks. Some team members may not be able to complete their tasks until others are finished, while some tasks can be done in parallel.

Creating the Checklist

Once you have your list of activities, you’re ready to create a checklist to distribute to your team. Consider including the following fields:

• Name of the task
• Start Date
• End Date
• Duration
• Person Assigned to the Task

Distribute and Notify

After completing your checklist, share it with everyone on your team. It may be helpful to store it in a shared drive where all team members can access and update it. Depending on the activities required, you might also need to contact third parties or vendors to handle certain tasks on their end.

Update Often

As you work through the tasks, ensure that team members are updating the checklist regularly. If you’re focusing on action items to be completed before the launch, it’s a good idea to check in with the team during scrums or status meetings to confirm they are on track to complete everything on time.

Do you have any other tips or ideas on how to approach launch checklists? Feel free to leave a comment!