Welcome to the Metadata SIGWelcome to the Metadata SIG

Agenda

5:00 room is open

5:30 round table intro

6:00 Todd's presentation

6:30 break

6:45 Future direction

7:30 close (room is available until 8:00)

Todd Moore

Project Manager - Metadata Management

Royal Bank of Canada

IRMAC

MetadataSpecial Interest group

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

• Defining Metadata

• Types of Metadata

• The Metadata Repository

• Metadata Challenges

What is Metadata?What is Metadata?

Data About Data

Defining of MetadataDefining 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 MetadataDefining 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 MetadataDefining Metadata

MetadataMetadata is data that describes the is data that describes the definition, control, usage and treatment definition, control, usage and treatment of data within a system, application or of data within a system, application or environment.environment.

What is Metadata?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 ComputerMetadata Without a Computer

Application for Employment

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Telephone: Residence: Other:Business:

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

TYPE OF WORK OR POSITION APPLIED FOR

1. 2.

Salary expectations: Date Available:

Type of employment sought:

Full Time Casual/ContractRegular Part-Time Summer Co-op Internship

Metadata Without a ComputerMetadata Without a Computer

Application for Employment

1. 2.

Metadata - A Necessity of Life?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?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

METADATA

DATA

Customer TableCustomer Table

CUST_ACT_NO CUST_LAST_NAME CUST_FIRST_NAME CURR_BAL ACT_OPEN_DT

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

… ... ... ... ...

Meta-metadataColumn nameBusiness nameRelated to tables

Types of Metadata 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 RepositoriesMetadata Repositories

• CA Advantage Repository

• Data Advantage Group Metacenter

• Informatica Powercenter with Metadata Exchange (Mx2)

• Ascential Metastage

• ASG Rochade

• Teradata Metadata Services

Metadata RepositoriesMetadata 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 EnvironmentRepository Environment

Advantage Repository for OS390 (DB2)

Interfaces:ETIER/Win

User with 3rd party development tools:ERWinETI

EDA/SQLFocus

Endevor

Intranet ServerEnd UserA/R InterfaceInternet Explorer

Upload

Mainframe

TSO Interface:Batch loads, Reports

PaybackPayback

• 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 ChallengesMetadata Challenges

• Repositories have a tough time keeping up to date

• Maintenance• Tools do not integrate well• The masses do not understand

metadata• Resources• Cost

SummarySummary

• 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.

“Things refuse to be unmanaged long.” - RALPH WALDO EMERSON

ReminderReminder