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August 4th, 2023  |  5 min read

Microsoft makes data governance available to the business with free version of Microsoft Purview

Microsoft has taken a significant step in the world of data governance by launching a free version of Microsoft Purview (currently in preview). This new offering is designed to make data governance and management more accessible to organizations of all sizes. Let’s take a look at what the free version offers, and explore the implications for master data management.

Microsoft Purview Today

Microsoft Purview is a unified data governance service that helps organizations manage, protect, and govern their entire data estate. As part of Microsoft's Azure platform, Purview provides integrated solutions to address the fragmentation of data across organizations, enabling businesses to create a holistic map of their data landscape, manage and secure their data estate, and empower data consumers to find valuable, trustworthy data. By offering a centralized platform for data governance, Purview ensures that data is compliant with regulations, consistent across different sources, and readily available for analysis and reporting.

The new Free Version of Microsoft Purview: Features and Functions

The free version of Microsoft Purview offers a subset of Purview's capabilities without any setup or cost. Here's what you need to know:

• Availability and Access:
  Automatically available to users, allowing organizations to explore Microsoft Purview's basic capabilities and begin their governance journey.
• Data Catalog:
  Browse and search for Azure data assets, explore reliable sources, and add information like descriptions, classifications, and contacts. Metadata stored in Azure is automatically inventoried, facilitating data governance.
• Supported Data Sources:
  Supports Azure Blob Storage, Azure Data Lake Storage Gen 2, Azure SQL Database, and Azure subscriptions, suitable for organizations primarily using Azure services.
• Limitations and Comparison with Enterprise Version:
  Some limitations exist compared to the Enterprise version, such as a lack of automated scans for the hybrid data estate and support for business assets and managed attributes.
• Upgrade Path:
  Easy upgrade to the Enterprise version for more advanced features, including fine-grained access control and automated application of classifications and terms, enhancing data governance capabilities.

CluedIn's MDM platform enhances Microsoft Purview by providing a seamless flow of master data whether it's improving customer experiences, making data accessible, or building trust in data.

CluedIn and Microsoft Purview: A Powerful Combination

Like any data governance tool, Microsoft Purview needs to be complemented by a platform that can deliver data that is accurate, consistent, and trustworthy. Modern master data management platforms like CluedIn integrate, clean, and enrich data from various systems and formats, empowering organizations to feed high-quality data into Purview. This requirement does not change regardless of whether businesses choose the scaled-down or fully stacked version of Microsoft Purview.

The integration of CluedIn with Purview enables organizations to leverage the full potential of their data, driving better decision-making and operational efficiency. This collaboration strengthens data governance by ensuring that data is not only accurate and consistent but also aligned with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.

CluedIn: The Modern Approach to Master Data Management

CluedIn's master data management (MDM) platform is a perfect complement to Microsoft Purview. With features like zero upfront modeling, handling unstructured data, and native Azure OpenAI integration, CluedIn ensures that master data is accurate, consistent, and accessible. CluedIn enriches both structured and unstructured data, connecting it and building better, more relational records. By providing a unified view of data across various systems and formats, CluedIn empowers organizations to feed reliable and enriched data into Purview, enhancing data governance and accessibility. CluedIn's modern approach to MDM aligns with the principles of data governance, ensuring that data is not only unified but also compliant, secure, and ready for business insights.

How to Get the Free Version of Microsoft Purview

New Microsoft Purview customers can access the free version by visiting the Microsoft Purview portal.

The launch of the free version of Microsoft Purview marks a significant milestone in making data governance accessible to a broader audience.

Conclusion

The launch of the free version of Microsoft Purview marks a significant milestone in making data governance accessible to a broader audience. With its core features, integration with Azure, and a clear path to upgrade, it offers a flexible and cost-effective way to embark on a data governance journey.
 
CluedIn's master data management adds immense value to this offering by ensuring that data fed into Purview is accurate, consistent, enriched, and connected. Together, CluedIn and Microsoft Purview provide a robust solution for organizations looking to enhance their data-driven capabilities, making this a valuable opportunity to manage and govern your data estate.