“We already have a metadata repository, we don’t need OneData”
“How is OneData different from an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tool?”
“How does OneData work with my BI (Business Intelligence) tools?”
OneData vs. metadata management tools
Both OneData as well as metadata tools have a repository, but the major difference is in what is stored and managed in the repository.
Metadata tools primarily manage metadata such as definitions, structures, rules (maybe), and interface links, for technical objects such as tables. They are typically oriented by systems and subject areas. Interchange of metadata is key. Primary users are in IT.
OneData deals with metadata as well as data values -- several classes of data, such as your Customer Master, Product Master or Item Master. It can be used to define, manage, search, and distribute the structure and values. It also enforces security and promotes data stewardship and ownership. The theme is on what is common to all enterprise applications, rather than focusing on a single system or application. Intended users are both in IT as well as on the business side.
OneData can be your EIM platform where metadata (definitions,structure, rules, security), data (domain values), as well as unstructured content are centralized and managed in a single platform, whether physically or virtually.
OneData vs. ETL tools
ETL tools are geared towards data interchange between systems, usually automated, with features such as error handling and scheduling. There may be a persistent repository within the ETL tool, not for storing or managing data, but to keep metadata about the tables so that ongoing mapping can be done on demand.
The only area of overlap OneData has with ETL tools is in its distribution and import modules. But the primary functionality and benefits of OneData is very different from ETL tools. OneData's focus is on creating, managing, and distributing data values and metadata, with the correct stewardship, governance and change management processes. OneData works as a portal to manage data even in external applications and databases. OneData also has sophisticated messaging that ETL tools lack.
The modular application design of OneData allows for the use of an ETL tool to distribute and deploy the contents of a OneData repository, instead of the built-in Distribution capabilities.
As with metadata repositories, ETL tools are primarily IT tools, whereas OneData is designed for both business as well as IT users.
OneData and BI tools
BI tools are reporting and data analysis tools that enable the decision support process in an organization. The data for reporting and analysis is collected from one or more source systems and consolidated into a dimensional model.
The primary benefit of OneData is as a collaborative data management software and portal that allows the creation, maintenance and deployment of all shareable data within an organization, with built-in processes for change management, automated workflow, deployment, security, and messaging.
In a typical implementation, all the dimensional entities used by a BI tool will be sourced from OneData. OneData forms a framework around the common entities in an organization that enables BI tools to deliver accurate information. The lack of such a framework will result in manual mapping and data consolidation, with very likely inaccurate results due to definitional issues or data inconsistencies in shareable entities.
