Eckerson Group: Deep dive on data exchanges

Data is one of the most valuable assets in the portfolio of the modern enterprise. Not only does it drive value internally through the insights it provides, but it can be converted into an additional revenue stream when sold to third parties. Until recently, however, buying and selling data was messy and complicated.Companies struggled both to find relevant data and validate its quality before purchasing it. Methods for integrating external data lacked consistency, demanded significant resource expenditures, and, at times, raised concerns about data security. In the last few years, data exchanges have started to solve these problems.

Data exchanges provide a user-friendly experience within a secure platform to facilitate the sharing and monetization of data. They mirror online marketplaces for other consumer goods by increasing the convenience of locating and purchasing third-party assets while improving trust in the products by ensuring base levels of quality.

Given the exponential growth in both the demand for and supply of data, numerous data exchanges have risen to meet the challenge of connecting buyers and sellers. This report will profile three data exchanges,each with a different approach to solving the need for secure, easy-to-use environments in which to sharedata. The report will enable data leaders to better understand how data exchanges vary and which arebest suited to the requirements of their organization.

This report was written by Joe Hilleary, a Senior Research Analyst at Eckerson Group.