A data catalog is a collection of metadata combined with data management and search tools that helps analysts and other data users to find the data that they need. The data catalog serves as an inventory of available datasets and provides information to evaluate fitness for intended use. Data cataloging is a curation activity that includes collecting, verifying, and publishing metadata about datasets that are available for analysis and reporting. Data analysis, machine learning, and crowd-sourced knowledge are combined to collect comprehensive metadata.

There are many factors to be considered when evaluating and selecting a data catalog tool. This report gives readers the information that they need to engage with vendors, systematically evaluate data catalogs, and make a well-informed product selection.

Readers will learn:

• The variety of data catalog tools in the marketplace today.
• How data catalogs work with and complement self-service data preparation.
• How data catalogs work with and complement self-service analysis.
• How data catalogs support data curation and governance.
• Features, functions, and factors to consider for data catalog tool evaluation and selection.