Metadata Management - Satori

Metadata Management

Metadata is a term used a lot by businesses throughout multiple industries. It makes sense that the more prominent the management of metadata becomes throughout the company, the more it will show up.

Although, it is sometimes difficult to decipher what Metadata Management is, especially outside of the function you know it entails.

Therefore, this article will explore the full use of the term and opportunities inherent in Metadata Management using the following breakdown:

Metadata Definition

The simplest way to explain Metadata is as a set of data that describes and provides information about other data.

Admittedly, offering information about other information doesn’t define much, though. So, here are a few examples of data that is considered metadata, to clarify this explanation:

These are all categorical options, which can add description to a data object (column, table, file, etc).

What is Metadata Management?

So, now that you have a better understanding of what Metadata is let’s delve into Metadata Management.

The management of metadata is when you create and organize the metadata in a big data system. Metadata Management organizes files and portions of data so that users can find the information they seek quickly.

Without Metadata Management, your company would have no direction for finding data. It would just be a big guessing game, which would waste time, resources, and loads of money. (Plus, it would be frustrating for everyone involved.)

Metadata Management Benefits

Metadata Management can offer many benefits to a business. Here are some of the biggest benefits you can expect from correctly setting up a workable Metadata Management system:

Improves Data Staging

The improvement of data staging through Metadata Management is apparent using the most basic function of the system. When you organize your metadata correctly, you are laying the positive groundwork for a sound and reactive system from the moment data is entered into the system.

Provides Reliable Big Data Management

Reliability is exceptionally important in every aspect of every business. If you cannot rely on a portion of your business, or your customers cannot rely on a portion of your business, you won’t survive. Simple as that.

Enhanced Data Quality

Data quality is always a concern for businesses. However, the more avenues and the higher volume of data ensure a more increased need for data quality. That is where Metadata Management comes in.

Excellent Delivery Speed and Affordability

When your Metadata Management system is a well-oiled machine, you can receive information, answers, and solutions much quicker than if you had to search for data and connections to that data manually.

Scalability

Another one of the benefits of Metadata Management is scalability. If your system is built solidly and managed properly, scalability is never an issue because the system will scale right along with the influx of data.

Helps Governance and Security

Data governance and data security are always the main concerns for businesses, especially when working with big data. Having an organized Metadata Management system allows your company to always have your finger on the pulse of your security.

Types of Metadata Management

Considering that Metadata Management encompasses a vast array of different data taxonomies, it makes sense that there are different types of Metadata Management.

Structural Metadata

This type of metadata is the bare-bones, most basic form of metadata. Structural metadata is the skeleton of the data. It paints a wide brush stroke and encompasses all the data but returns very basic information.

Administrative Metadata

Administrative metadata is more specific and weaves deeper into the information structure found within a Data Lake.

Descriptive Metadata

If you are looking for ultra-specific information, you want to understand the Descriptive Metadata type. This type helps users find unique items within the data set and have the most singularly identifying markers.

Metadata Management vs. Master Data Management

Metadata Management and Master Data Management work together, but they focus on two very different aspects of data organization. While Metadata Management is finite and singular, dealing specifically with every individual data set, Master Data Management focuses on the bigger picture.