Data mapping is a key element in the successful management of enterprise data. It helps businesses restructure and integrate dispersed data into meaningful insights that drive business decisions. Whether the goal is to move data from one system to another, or simply to ensure the right information flows into a business process, data mapping is critical. To know the importance of using data mapping, read this article.
Unlike traditional data modeling, which only takes a broad overview of an organization's data model, data mapping is much more detailed and requires a deep understanding of each data structure and its individual components. This is especially important for integrating large numbers of disparate systems.
The best data mapping tools allow analysts and architects to visualize the entire source-to-destination data flow in real time, giving them a comprehensive, consistent view of what's going on at any given moment. This also means that they can keep up with the inevitable changes in the data models they're working with.
As the number of data sources grows and the volume of data gets larger, data mapping can become more challenging to manage without a tool. Luckily, there are several options available that make it possible to map complex data in less time, even for non-technical employees.
Automated: The simplest option is to use a software that allows users to map out the data in minutes with no coding required. However, this approach is not always ideal for more complex mappings.
Semi-automated: A data mapping tool that is easy to use can allow analysts and architects to build connections between their data sources and destinations using drag-and-drop UIs. This can help reduce the complexity of data transformations and save time and resources. You can know more about this on how it is easy to use data mapping.
Manual: If a team is not staffed with a dedicated data architect, they can opt for a data mapper that allows them to manually map their data sources and targets. This approach is great for smaller datasets, but it can be more time-consuming than an automated tool.
Keeping your data map up-to-date is essential for ensuring it meets legal requirements. For example, the GDPR requires that organizations maintain a record of how they collect and transfer customer data. This is not only a good way to prove that you're complying with the law, but it also helps you demonstrate how you protect sensitive customer information.
In addition to keeping records, you should also regularly remap your data to reflect any changes. This will keep your map accurate and up-to-date, which can be a useful tool when conducting a privacy compliance audit or evaluating the effectiveness of a privacy program.
The Best Tools to Map Your Data
As you begin data mapping, it's important to consider which format you're working with. This will determine how you'll need to transform your data and what sort of logs you'll need to maintain.
If you have to work with a range of file formats, such as XML, JSON, or Excel files, it's important to choose a data mapping tool that can accommodate these types of files. This can help ensure you don't lose any crucial data in the process, and it will also speed up your workflow. Check out this post for more details related to this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_mapping.
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