Data Profiling is the process of auditing data in an existing database or file and collecting
statistics and information regarding its quality. This additional metadata is often referred to as data metrics. Data metrics in turn, reveal the accuracy and completeness of data.

Data profiling also involves the discovery of patterns and insights within data distribution as well as metadata and relationship analysis. An effective tool in the process is the ability to drill down and further analyze specific patterns or data metrics.

A number of different data related business or technology processes can benefit from data profiling. Examples include:

• Business Intelligence – to identify information available in existing data
• Data Quality – to measure and track the quality of existing data
• Master Data Management – to create an enterprise view of data across multiple systems
• Data Integration – to prepare for data integration tasks
• Data Warehouse and ETL related initiatives
• CRM or ERP implementations
• Understanding challenges in data-intensive projects

Business users often have better domain knowledge and a better grasp on data description, source and usage. Data profiling software tools enable business users to leverage traditional IT assets.

When is Data Profiling important?

• Early in project lifecycles, when projects are more likely to fail or be significantly delayed because of inconsistencies or anomalies within data sources
• When there is a need to learn more about your data, quickly
• When you need to minimize both technical and business risk
• When making critical business decisions based on accurate analysis of vast amounts of data
• When resources are limited

A Data Profiling Solution

The IST DataProfiler is an easy-to-use, configurable solution that expedites the process of learning details about your data by providing standardized data metrics without manual checks.
Combining the ease and flexibility of the IST DataProfiler with the power of Intelligent Search Technology’s (IST) advanced, multicultural fuzzy searching and matching engine and our CorrectAddress address verification and address validation solution, the DataProfiler becomes a powerful tool in the data quality area. Some advantages of IST DataProfiler include:

• Quick, easy, and automated operation
• Valuable insight into vital business data
• Save resources, time, and money used in manual checking
• Broad user appeal – end-users find IST’s profiling tool very intuitive and powerful
• Customizable – new data metrics can be created and incorporated in seconds

IST is The Intelligent Choice in data profiling software tools. Our software will help you design a strategy where improving data quality will lead to improved customer relations, better business intelligence and increased profits.