Data Catalog

Definition:

A data catalog is a central directory for metadata that systematically records and describes a company’s data and makes it findable.

Relevance for Enterprise Modernization:

A modern data catalog creates transparency about existing data sources and qualities, promotes data understanding among business departments and IT. A data catalog also forms the basis for data-supported decisions and regulatory requirements. It is a vehicle for self-service analytics and data governance.

Example / use case:

A company wants to analyze its sales data in different systems. The data catalog helps to quickly identify relevant data sources, clarify responsibilities and evaluate data quality without time-consuming manual research.