1. A data analysis apparatus connected between a plurality of telecommunication switches, each collecting data relating to operational conditions of the respective switch, and a database that stores and processes records based on the collected data, the data analysis apparatus comprising: means for receiving said collected data, said collected data comprising a plurality of unprocessed data records; memory means for storing rules, each rule defining a test to be applied to said data records; processing means for applying said rules to said data records to produce corresponding test results for determining if an exception condition exists based on a comparison of each test result and predetermined boundary limits associated with said rules; means for creating a first table in said database only those data records, for which said processing means determined an exception condition exists; said processing means and creating means both operating in substantially real time as said collected data is received.