Experian adds Solidatus lineage tools to Aperture Data

Experian has partnered with Solidatus to add data lineage tools to Aperture Data Studio, bringing Solidatus' tracing technology into Experian's data intelligence platform.

The integration is designed to help businesses track where data originates, how it moves through systems and whether it can be relied on for operational, regulatory and artificial intelligence uses. It is also intended to help users identify the source of data problems and assess which systems, reports or processes may be affected.

Data lineage has drawn greater attention as companies face more complex technology estates and closer scrutiny of the information behind key decisions. In many organisations, finding a data quality issue is only part of the task. Teams also need to understand what the data means, who owns it and how it has changed across platforms.

Under the partnership, Solidatus' business and technical lineage functions will be integrated into Aperture Data Studio, combining data quality, governance and lineage in one environment.

Organisations using the system will be able to combine lineage maps with data quality measures, business definitions, ownership details and regulatory context. The aim is to give data teams a broader view of their data estate and the impact of errors or changes.

Solidatus uses connectors, code scanning and AI-assisted curation to automate the discovery and mapping of data flows. Experian's platform focuses on profiling, validating, improving and governing data.

Andrew Abraham, Global Managing Director of Experian Data Quality, said: “By bringing Experian and Solidatus together, our customers can connect two sides of the same problem. Experian helps organisations assess, improve, contextualise and govern their data, while Solidatus adds detailed traceability of how that data moves and changes.

“Together, that gives organisations a much more complete picture: whether their data is reliable, what it means, where it came from and where it is used. Crucially, it also helps them demonstrate that they understand and have control over the data on which important business, regulatory and AI decisions depend.”

Customer view

British Business Bank, which already works with both companies, said bringing the three disciplines closer together could simplify data management across a large organisation.

Mark Willems, Associate Director of Metadata and Data Management at British Business Bank, said: “As a customer of both Experian and Solidatus, we see real value in bringing data quality, governance and lineage more closely together. A more connected approach has the potential to reduce complexity and give our teams a clearer understanding of the data they rely on across the organisation.”

According to industry analysts, the partnership reflects a wider market shift. Businesses in regulated sectors in particular are under pressure to show where important data comes from, how it has been transformed and whether it meets internal and external standards.

Stewart Bond, Vice President of IDC's Data Integration and Intelligence Software service, said: “Data quality, governance and lineage have traditionally been treated as separate disciplines, but organisations increasingly need a connected view. Combining quality information with detailed lineage can show whether data can be trusted, how it moves through the enterprise and where issues could have an impact.”

Regulatory pressure

The combined approach is aimed at organisations dealing with regulatory frameworks such as BCBS 239 and DORA. In those settings, firms are often required to show not only that data is accurate, but also how it has been handled, who is responsible for it and where failures might affect the business.

That need is also spreading beyond compliance teams as companies build more AI models and automated decision systems. Concerns over the provenance and reliability of training and operational data have pushed governance issues higher up the corporate agenda.

Experian said adding lineage to its platform is intended to help users maintain visibility over data used in AI systems as well as in existing reporting and operational processes. The companies argue that combining context, controls and traceability can help organisations meet both current compliance demands and emerging AI governance requirements.

Experian employs 25,200 people across 33 countries and is listed on the FTSE 100. Solidatus focuses on data lineage software for regulated organisations, with customers including HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Bank of New York and M&T Bank.