The advantages of metadata management are numerous. Not surprisingly, in any organization, metadata plays an important role as a frame of reference, in line with a generic vision.
According to Forrester Research metadata is defined as the information that provides the context for data, content, business processes, services, business rules and policies to support the information systems of an organization.
Below mentioned are some of the advantages of metadata management when it comes to improving data management and governance processes:
Advantages Of Metadata Management
1. Facilitates Search and Analysis:
Metadata helps search and locate data. Good metadata management also facilitates the analysis of of the data from the source, facilitating self-documentation, as well as transformation, analysis and reporting functions.
2. Facilitates Standardization:
By eliminating errors and inconsistencies, data standardization improves data quality throughout its life cycle. With metadata management in a centralized repository, we will achieve a more complete view of the data life cycle, from its creation to its consumption, as well as advantages in process control.
3. Integration Aid:
In hybrid integration, metadata is key. Using a centralized metadata repository for shared use between IT and business users, we will facilitate governance, as well as the application of best practices by those. Very useful in hybrid structures to improve data management in an integrated way.
4. Change Management:
Especially in complex environments, as metadata management provides the visibility and control in an enterprise data integration environment. Through an automation of impact analysis developers can detect changes in the applications and intervene to correct conflicts.
5. Data Security:
In case of changes, proper metadata management will protect critical business data and, in general, will facilitate compliance with regulations.
6. Improve Reporting:
Thanks to this ease of intervention, data will be of quality and, the processes will not present incidents and, logically, the reporting will gain in reliability. In general, a correct metadata management will allow to deliver safe and reliable data.
7. More Agile Developments:
Intelligent access to metadata, for example in an integrated hybrid environment, increases developer productivity and reduces connectivity delivery time. This translates into a reduction in the cost of switching between the different platforms.
8. Better Data Governance:
Metadata managed in a standardized environment through a centralized repository is essential to implement a successful data governance program. Among other benefits, metadata management increases the visibility of the different pattern executions and management of different data sources, promoting centralized governance.
