Emily Clarke

Is Having a Data Catalog Beneficial?

We live in an era of big data, and organizations of all sizes harness piles of data to make crucial business decisions. It's the heartbeat of many modern companies. But how do they access it all?

Data management can be a substantial issue for organizations dealing with mountains of information. Companies need a way to provide easy access to data for scientists, engineers, officers and any other team member that relies on data to do their job. Traditional repositories can work for a while, but once your data starts to accumulate, you need something better.

That's where a data catalog comes in.

What are Data Catalogs?

The easiest way to think of a catalog is an organized inventory of assets. It's a platform that allows you to quickly search for the data you need using nothing more than keywords and descriptors. Many catalogs operate with rich metadata, making organization and access a breeze! With a good data catalog, companies can lean into data collection, discovery and governance.

Think of it this way:

If you were to enter a library to find specific information, you wouldn't start flipping through books. You'd search the library's catalog system to find precisely what you need. That's what a data catalog is, saving your team time and frustration.

Are Data Catalogs Worth Having?

There are many reasons your company needs a data catalog. From a logistics standpoint, it makes sense.

If you're using nothing more than a simple data repository, your scientists and engineers must spend an unnecessarily long time finding what they need. It's a waste of time and resources that you could put elsewhere to maximize productivity.

A catalog also supports your data governance efforts. Without it, there's no universal business data vocabulary or process. It becomes a free-for-all that can spiral into difficult-to-understand structures, inaccuracies and a growing pile of dark data.

Catalogs solve all those issues. It sets standards for your organization that everyone can follow. With organization and established protocols, your data becomes easier to trust and access, ensuring you're making the most of what you have.

Author Resource:-

Emily Clarke writes about the best data catalog tools and data analysis softwares. You can find her thoughts at data tool blog.