Metabula DataBridge

	delivers unified data from multiple sources, multiple systems and multiple structures.
	delivers this unified data into multiple structures for different users and applications
	is non-invasive, driven by metadata, leaving the original data at source
	collects and processes data in real-time - integrated information on-demand
	provides a single point of entry for application interfacing according to whatever business model is required
	includes an intermediate datastore to allow the post-processing of source data after extraction and before delivery
	helps data sources and systems to be retired or replaced without affecting all the other systems. Systems are insulated from changes elsewhere.
	can deliver two-way data transfer. Use DataBridge to populate multiple systems from a single source.
	is rapidly implemented, fast, flexible, scaleable and eminently affordable.

DataBridge uses a meta-data driven approach that hooks the structure and layout of data in existing systems into a common frame of reference – in DataBridge terminology, this is known as the ‘logical data model’. DataBridge can manage a catalogue of logical models, supporting different perspectives.

DataBridge’s logical data model approach provides transparent data access, regardless of the location, structure or format of the physical source. Front end consumers of the data talk to the logical data model, and are insulated from the back end data sources. This means that investment in front end user interface or business logic implementation is protected from changes in the back end data storage. In this way, DataBridge delivers flexible, future proof solutions and also provides portability across different sources.

The logical data model(s) in DataBridge are defined in data, not hard-coded, so they can be extended and changed at any point. This allows for the use of innovative data driven solutions to provide dynamic data content as well as dynamic re-classification of items.



The data presented out of Metabula DataBridge is brought together using Microsoft UDA (Universal Data Access), a key element of the Microsoft Win DNA architecture. This approach is built upon the OLE DB and ADO data access methods and the results of this process are an OLE DB row set of data. The data row sets can be manipulated in any OLE DB consumer environment (e.g. Visual Basic, Active Server Pages, and Crystal Reports). In addition, DataBridge presents data in an XML format which can be used to extract hierarchical data sets.

The overall architecture of the product is shown below with the following components:

Metabula DataBridge components Connectorbase: a library of standard system connectors for most common data structures and formats. For example, Connectors are included with the product for - relational sources such as SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase - text files such as XML, CSV, and flat files - any OLE DB and ODBC providers, thus allowing access to company specific systems and standard applications such as Access, Excel. The Connectorbase provides heterogeneous access to sources across many different platforms e.g. Windows, UNIX, and mainframes (connectors to sources running on mainframe systems are sold as add-on modules to the base product). Metabase: a comprehensive data store for the metadata describing individual user views, and the structure and content of the data sources. IPE: The Integration and Processing Engine (IPE) drives the interpretation between source and user data views, collects, assembles and delivers unified data, with post-processing where required. The resulting aggregated data can be presented to the users and target applications in a variety of relational or hierarchical forms including OLE DB, and XML. Constructor: A tool for the construction, population and maintenance of the metabase, delivering fast implementation.

"At its most powerful, Enterprise Information Integration lets all back-end information be seen as if it came from one comprehensive global database"
"Enterprise Information Integration", Aberdeen Group, 2004

"Heterogeneous data is the Holy Grail"
Bill Gates