Videos

The Data Catalog as a Center of Gravity (Part 2)

In part two of this exclusive webinar from InsightAnalysis, the deep dive into the evolution of data catalogs continues.

Head of Product
3
 min. read
July 11, 2024
The Data Catalog as a Center of Gravity (Part 2)
Introduction

Eric Kavanaugh: Hello, everyone, and welcome to Inside Analysis, your source for information about the information economy. I'm Eric Kavanaugh, your host. Today, we're continuing our discussion on what is becoming the new center of gravity in the data world: the data catalog. Data catalogs help organizations understand their data, a crucial need in complex business models across various industries.

Presentation by Aaron Wilson, Athena Solutions

Eric Kavanaugh: Joining us today are Aaron Wilson from Athena Solutions and Kirit Basu from Metaphor. Aaron, Athena Solutions is in the business of helping companies understand their data and connect the dots. Tell us more about data catalogs and their significance.

Aaron Wilson: Thank you, Eric. Data catalogs have evolved significantly. The new generation of tools offers substantial advantages over previous metadata management solutions. Historically, data dictionaries were static and labor-intensive. Modern data catalog platforms democratize the governance process, making it easier for end users to engage with data.

Aaron Wilson: People from across the organization need to get involved in building and maintaining a data catalog. This collaborative effort ensures that data definitions are accurate and up-to-date. Modern tools use AI to automate many of the tedious tasks associated with metadata management, such as updating data lineage and facilitating collaboration.

Metaphor's Approach by Kirit Basu

Eric Kavanaugh: Kirit, tell us about Metaphor’s innovative approach to data catalogs.

Kirit Basu: Thanks, Eric. Metaphor aims to engage everyone in the data process, not just technical teams. Our platform addresses search and discovery, agile governance, data literacy, and technical needs like lineage and root cause analysis. We leverage AI to answer data-related questions and provide metadata context in real-time, reducing the burden on support teams and adding instant value.

Kirit Basu: Our user-friendly interface includes features like social feed-like updates, advanced search capabilities, automated lineage generation, and tools for creating and managing documentation. These advancements make the data catalog dynamic and accessible, encouraging participation from all users.

The Value of Collaboration and Dynamic Data Catalogs

Eric Kavanaugh: The integration of generative AI in Metaphor’s data catalog enhances collaboration and usability. It helps capture and reflect insights automatically, making the tool valuable for everyone in the organization.

Aaron Wilson: The ability to have up-to-date data lineage and accurate metadata management is crucial. Modern data catalog tools facilitate these tasks, enabling organizations to respond quickly to data errors and ensuring the accuracy of reports.

Conclusion

Eric Kavanaugh: Thank you, Aaron and Kirit, for these insights. Data catalogs are indeed becoming the new center of gravity in the data world, providing significant advantages in metadata management and collaboration. Stay tuned for our radio show coming up next, and don't hesitate to send in your questions.

Podcast Bonus Segment

Eric Kavanaugh: We're back with Aaron Wilson of Athena Solutions and Kirit Basu of Metaphor for our podcast bonus segment. Aaron, let's discuss the importance of metadata management and how it's evolving.

Aaron Wilson: Metadata management is essential for understanding and utilizing data effectively. It provides clarity on data definitions and lineage, enabling organizations to make informed decisions quickly. Modern data catalog tools automate many aspects of metadata management, making it easier for users to engage with and understand their data.

Kirit Basu: Our platform at Metaphor leverages AI to provide rich, contextual answers to data-related questions. This not only saves time but also democratizes data access, allowing anyone in the organization to gain insights without needing deep technical knowledge.

Eric Kavanaugh: The shift to more dynamic and interactive data catalog tools significantly enhances collaboration and usability. By integrating with existing communication channels like Slack and email, these tools allow users to access and manage data seamlessly.

Aaron Wilson: Modern data catalog tools, such as those provided by Metaphor, are game-changers. They simplify metadata management, enhance collaboration, and ensure that data is accurate and up-to-date. These advancements are crucial for organizations looking to leverage their data effectively.

Eric Kavanaugh: Thank you, Aaron and Kirit, for your insights. For those interested in learning more, visit Metaphor and Athena Solutions online. This has been Inside Analysis, helping you take the inside track to insight.

About Metaphor

The Metaphor Metadata Platform represents the next evolution of the Data Catalog - it combines best in class Technical Metadata (learnt from building DataHub at LinkedIn) with Behavioral and Social Metadata. It supercharges an organization’s ability to democratize data with state of the art capabilities for Data Governance, Data Literacy and Data Enablement, and provides an extremely intuitive user interface that turns even the most non-technical user into a fan of the catalog. See Metaphor in action today!