Databases are the backbone of all information systems. They provide an interface to the rest of the system and they maintain a connection between all the entities using the system. Database configuration, data modeling, database optimization and data security are some of the important aspects of keeping a database up to date and running efficiently. As a result, databases are used in every area of an organization’s activities from sales and customer service to internet and intranet use. Data is stored, analyzed, and updated to provide users with the information they need.
A data catalog is a metadata management tool developed to help companies find, manipulate and manage large numbers of data such as tables, documents and databases stored on their main server. Such catalogs, which are also called data engineering catalogs or metadata databases, are very crucial for companies of any size because without them, the storing, analyzing and using huge amounts of data would be impossible. Metadata databases store all kinds of information, including meta-data or information about what the document looks like along with its title, author name, format and other metadata properties such as keywords, ISBN (an ISBN number used for a book), pages (one page can be identified by a different number of keywords), and keywords that describe the target content (this could be search engine optimization terms). This data is then stored and processed so that it can be provided to a variety of users who will make use of it. A data catalog application would enable one to keep track of all the data in one’s company and make it easily accessible.
Metadata management tools help in designing a data catalog. They take care of the organization and administration of the large volume of data, taking into account its semantic nature. A good example of metadata management tools is the Enterprise Meta Tool (EMT), which helps in managing meta-information across multiple database systems. Other software like the Active Record Model Library (ARM) and Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) can handle the organization and administration of data across a number of databases.
