A data catalog refers to a centralized inventory or directory of data assets that enables organizations to discover, understand, and access data. Data catalogs are designed to improve data governance, enhance data quality, and promote data discovery and collaboration across the enterprise. By providing a centralized view of internal data assets, data catalogs help organizations optimize how they use their data and drive business value through data-driven decision-making.
A data catalog typically includes metadata, such as data lineage, schema, and data quality. These metadata points provide context for the information at hand, helping the user better understand their data and how to apply it. You’ll find data catalogs in organizations across various industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Some examples of companies with data catalogs include Amazon Web Services (AWS) Glue Data Catalog, Google Cloud Data Catalog, and Collibra. AWS Glue Data Catalog is a fully-managed metadata repository that integrates with AWS services to provide a unified view of data assets. Google Cloud Data Catalog is a fully-managed and scalable metadata management service that enables organizations to manage and discover data across multiple cloud platforms. Collibra is a data governance and intelligence platform that provides a collaborative and centralized approach to data cataloging, enabling organizations to gain greater visibility and control over their data assets.
