English

The Role of Schema Matching in Large Enterprises

Databases 2009-09-15 v1

Abstract

To date, the principal use case for schema matching research has been as a precursor for code generation, i.e., constructing mappings between schema elements with the end goal of data transfer. In this paper, we argue that schema matching plays valuable roles independent of mapping construction, especially as schemata grow to industrial scales. Specifically, in large enterprises human decision makers and planners are often the immediate consumer of information derived from schema matchers, instead of schema mapping tools. We list a set of real application areas illustrating this role for schema matching, and then present our experiences tackling a customer problem in one of these areas. We describe the matcher used, where the tool was effective, where it fell short, and our lessons learned about how well current schema matching technology is suited for use in large enterprises. Finally, we suggest a new agenda for schema matching research based on these experiences.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0909.1771,
  title  = {The Role of Schema Matching in Large Enterprises},
  author = {Ken Smith and Michael Morse and Peter Mork and Maya Li and Arnon Rosenthal and David Allen and Len Seligman and Chris Wolf},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0909.1771},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

CIDR 2009