The Science of Better Data
We are a small group of private companies working with research data and statistics, dedicated to providing services around metadata standards such as SDMX and DDI. Our goal is to provide better visibility and use of existing data resources, whether these are publically available or require permission to access. Our companies are specialists in working with these standard metadata models and formats, and by providing services based on these models, we hope to better serve the users, disseminators and producers of such data, and to promote the standards themselves as a best practice in data documentation and management.
The open metadata standards such as SDMX and DDI provide rich information about data, and support easy access to it in a way which has never before been possible. As experts in these standards and technologies, we are well-suited to providing services around them to help users and organizations realize their promised benefits. While we work with data and metadata provided by various data producers, research centers, and statistical organizations, we are not in competition with them. Each organization has its own mission and focus, and many are using modern metadata standards to provide a high level of service to their clientelle. What these organizations are not doing, because it does not fall within their scope, is to provide the global view of data, and the generic services which are now possible due to the existence of the metadata standards. OpenMetadata is a portal which exists to supplement the existing resources provided by many organizations which produce and/or disseminate data today, in support of researchers, policy makers, journalists, students, and other users.
Metadata Technology (MTNA) is a company focused on providing consulting, training, and technology around the SDMX and DDI standards, to support better data management in research and statistics. They have been active participants in the development and maintenance of DDI and SDMX, and have vast experience in their use and implementation. They are major supporters of the Open Data Foundation, a not-for-profit dedicated to supporting collaborations between data producers, archives, and technologists focused on the use of open standards and open source.
Integrated Data Management Services (IDMS) is a company focused on providing data management services on the content side. They have strong expeertise in helping organizations get a real handle on their data assets, in a well-documented form which allows for those assets to be fully utilized. IDMS and MTNA work together closely, covering both the technology and content-side requirements for supporting standards-based data management implementation.
