Welcome to the Metadata SIG
Agenda
5:00
5:30
6:00
6:30
6:45
7:30
room is open
round table intro
Todd's presentation
break
Future direction
close (room is available until 8:00)
IRMAC
Metadata
Special Interest group
Todd Moore
Project Manager - Metadata Management
Royal Bank of Canada
Presentation Outline
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Defining Metadata
Types of Metadata
The Metadata Repository
Metadata Challenges
What is Metadata?
Data About Data
Defining of Metadata
Anne Marie Smith: It is the collection of information about the data
collected in an application or database. Examples of meta data
include: definition of the data element, business names of the
element, systems abbreviations for that element, the data type
(alphanumeric, decimal, etc...) and size of the element, source
location, etc... All of these pieces of meta data are of interest to
various members of the organization's community; some are of
interest only to certain IS staff members, while other pieces
would be very useful for business people attempting to navigate
through the corporate Data Warehouse.
Defining Metadata
Rob Seiner: Meta data is not really new. It was around long before
you and I arrived in this industry. Meta data will be around long
after we go to that great repository in the sky. But it was not
until the past ten years, maybe much less, that the importance
of managing meta data became apparent. This increase in
importance has been a result of companies integrating the vast
number of information systems and databases, creating
decision support environments, and paying attention to
managing data as a valued corporate asset.
Defining Metadata
Metadata is data that describes the
definition, control, usage and treatment of
data within a system, application or
environment.
What is Metadata?
• Metadata is everywhere.
– It helps you understand the
world around you.
– Without it you are lost
– Metadata exists without
us use of a computer
Metadata Without a Computer
Application for Employment
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Last Name
First Name
Initials
Present Address: Street, apt.
City
Province
Postal Code
Permanent Address: (leave blank f same as present address)
City
Province
Postal Code
Telephone: Residence:
Business:
Other:
TYPE OF WORK OR POSITION APPLIED FOR
1.
2.
Salary expectations:
Date Available:
Type of employment sought:
Full Time
Regular Part-Time
Casual/Contract
Summer
Co-op
Internship
Metadata Without a Computer
Application for Employment
1.
2.
Metadata - A Necessity of Life?
• Everybody uses Metadata every day
– It is used to describe the data that we process
throughout our daily activities
• It’s there
• It’s used
• Nobody realizes they need it until
it’s not there…
• then they go hunting for it
• Then along comes the computer…
Never Used Metadata?
• Everybody uses Metadata! Everybody!
• Metadata usually exists in the minds of the
users/developers
• People have made livings
being metadata repositories.
What is Metadata?
The Difference Between Data and Metadata
Meta-metadata
Column name
Business name
Related to tables
METADATA
Customer Table
CUST_ACT_NO
CUST_LAST_NAME
CUST_FIRST_NAME
CURR_BAL
4321888
Rogers
Dennis
$45,129.34 09/12/88
1289921
Mulchahy
John
$5,030.12
06/08/83
5621765
Ferry
William
$9,393.23
12/30/90
…
...
...
...
...
DATA
ACT_OPEN_DT
Types of Metadata
• Logical Metadata
• Data Models
• Technical Metadata
• Imported into the repository via scanners
• Operational Metadata
• Job schedules, usage stats, views, queries, etc.
• Business Metadata
• Entered by business people
• Generated Metadata
• Gleaned from the metadata already in the repository
Metadata Repositories
• CA Advantage Repository
• Data Advantage Group Metacenter
• Informatica Powercenter with Metadata
Exchange (Mx2)
• Ascential Metastage
• ASG Rochade
• Teradata Metadata Services
Metadata Repositories
A metadata repository is required in every
organization.
• You can buy it.
• You can build it.
Or
• You can rely on people to be
your metadata repository.
Repository Environment
Mainframe
TSO Interface:
Batch loads,
Reports
Advantage
Repository for
OS390 (DB2)
Endevor
Interfaces:
ETI
ER/Win
User with 3rd
party development
tools:
ERWin
ETI
EDA/SQL
Focus
End User
A/R Interface
Internet Explorer
Upload
Intranet Server
Payback
• Understanding
• What does the data mean?
• Legacy Blueprinting
• Where is your data?
• Distribution to the masses
• Using web technology
• Impact Analysis across the enterprise
• How long does it take?
• Standards publication
• Security
• Authorized user may view definitions
Metadata Challenges
• Repositories have a tough time keeping up
to date
• Maintenance
• Tools do not integrate well
• The masses do not understand
metadata
• Resources
• Cost
Summary
• Develop a metadata strategy as a part of
your data management strategy.
• Get a repository.
• Make sure the metadata gets to the people
who need it.
• Maintain the metadata.
Reminder
“Things refuse to be unmanaged long.”
- RALPH WALDO EMERSON