What is a Canonical Data Model?

A Canonical Data Model (CDM) is a design pattern used in data integration and exchange to create a standardized format for data that will be shared across different systems.

Canonical Data Model Definition:

A CDM provides a common, consistent, and agreed-upon representation of data across different systems within an organization.

It serves as an intermediary format to simplify data exchange and integration.

Standardization:

The primary purpose of a CDM is to standardize the format of data. This ensures that data from different sources can be integrated, understood, and used without needing extensive transformation or reformatting.

It addresses the problem of data heterogeneity, where different systems may have their own data formats and structures.

Data Integration:

By using a CDM, organizations can facilitate easier and more efficient data integration processes. Data from various systems can be mapped to the canonical model, enabling seamless data exchange and interoperability.

It simplifies the maintenance and management of data integration solutions by providing a single, unified data model.

Use Cases:

CDMs are commonly used in enterprise application integration (EAI), service-oriented architectures (SOA), and other environments where data needs to be exchanged between multiple systems.