Data profiling: the business case

This paper discusses the benefits of automating the discovery of data quality issues through the use of data profiling technology. While a certain amount of technical discussion will be necessary, the emphasis is on benefits to the business.

Historically, data profiling has been regarded as a tool for data analysts and the IT department. In part, this is a legacy issue: when data profiling tools were first introduced, and for a significant period thereafter, they remained the domain of the technically minded. However, it is a mistake to think of data profiling as merely an IT tool. It needs to be considered in terms of how it supports the business in a wider sense.

This paper aims to address this misconception. In particular it will contrast the benefits of using data profiling products against available methods of achieving the same ends without the use of such technology.