The Greatest Concern with Redundant Data in an Organization's Inventory System

C.

Redundant data in an organization's inventory system can pose various concerns, but the greatest one among them is data inconsistency.

Explanation: Redundant data refers to data that is duplicated or repeated in multiple places within an organization's information systems. For example, the same customer's information might be stored in multiple databases or spreadsheets. While redundant data can sometimes be useful, such as for backup purposes, it can also lead to several issues, such as:

A. Data inconsistency: Redundant data can lead to inconsistencies in the information being used, with different sources of the same data providing different values, leading to confusion and errors. For instance, if different copies of a customer's information have different addresses, phone numbers, or purchase history, it becomes challenging to determine which one is accurate, leading to unreliable decision-making.

B. Unnecessary data storage usage: Storing redundant data requires additional storage space, which can increase storage costs and reduce the overall efficiency of the system.

C. Poor access control: If multiple copies of the same data are stored in different locations, it can become more difficult to control access to that data, leading to data security risks.

D. Unnecessary costs of program changes: If a redundant data field needs to be modified, it will have to be changed in all the locations where it is duplicated, leading to additional costs and time for the change.

Out of all these concerns, data inconsistency is the most significant one since it can have far-reaching consequences on the organization's decision-making and strategic planning. Therefore, it is essential to minimize redundant data wherever possible and establish clear guidelines for data management within the organization.