Understanding Data Catalog Pricing

Introduction

A common query we encounter is about the pricing model of CastorDoc - it's a primary concern for most of our prospects. We've noticed a general lack of clarity around the pricing structures of data catalogs, though it's a critical aspect for decision-makers. Despite the variability in prices across different data catalogs, their underlying pricing strategies often share common threads.

The aim of this piece is to help you understand data catalog pricing. What are the fixed elements of a data catalog price? What are the levers you can play with to influence the price? What are the discount levers?  The aim of this piece is to answer all these questions, once and for all.

We'll start by examining the static portion of data catalog pricing. Next, we'll delve into the various factors that can modify data catalog costs. And finally, we'll discuss how to leverage discount levers to your advantage.

Let's get to it!

Download your data catalog pricing guide here.

The Fixed Elements in Data Catalog Pricing

When looking at data catalog pricing, you'll encounter certain fixed costs that form the foundation of what you'll be paying. These are essentially the non-negotiables, the baseline expenses that come with acquiring or subscribing to a data catalog. Understanding these elements is key as they remain constant, unaffected by how much you use the catalog or how you customize it. Let's break down these fixed costs:

1. Base Platform Fee: Think of this as your entry ticket to the world of data cataloging. It's a set subscription fee, generally charged on an annual or monthly basis, granting you access to the core functionalities of the data catalog.
2. Minimum User Licenses: Data catalogs often set a minimum threshold for user licenses. This means you'll need to purchase a certain number of licenses right off the bat. This fixed cost remains, irrespective of whether each license is in active use.
3. Standard Features: Included in the base price is a suite of standard features. These features, forming the backbone of your data catalog experience, are typically non-customizable within the standard package and constitute a consistent part of your expenditure.
4. Initial Setup Fee: Some data catalogs come with a one-time setup or onboarding fee. This is like the cost of setting up your base camp before embarking on your data journey. If charged, this fee represents an upfront, fixed expense to get your data catalog up and running.

Understanding these fixed elements is crucial as they form the bedrock of your data catalog investment. They provide a predictable cost baseline, essential for effective budget planning.

I - Understanding the 5 Pricing Levers in Data Catalogs

Within data catalog pricing, there are several levers within your control that can significantly impact the final cost. These levers are the adjustable elements of pricing, and understanding them is important for making informed decisions about your data catalog investment. Below is an overview of these key factors that can sway the pricing of data catalogs either upwards or downwards.

By grasping the mechanics behind these pricing levers, you're better equipped to navigate the costs associated with data cataloging. This knowledge not only helps in fine-tuning your budget but also in optimizing the value you derive from your data catalog solution.

1. User Count and Roles

A primary factor influencing the cost of your data catalog is the number and type of users accessing the platform. Different roles come with varying levels of access and, consequently, different pricing implications. It's crucial to understand the common user roles, though their terminology might differ among vendors. Here's a rundown of the typical roles you'll encounter:

• Admins: These users hold the keys to the kingdom, with comprehensive access to all platform functionalities, including management and configuration settings. Given their extensive capabilities, these roles often carry the highest cost.
• Contributors: Often referred to as editors, curators, or power users, these individuals can add, modify, or remove data within the catalog. They have substantial, but not complete, access to the platform's features.
• Viewers: At the more cost-effective end of the spectrum, viewers can look at the documentation, but are restricted from making any alterations. They might be labeled as read-only users, basic users, or guests. Adding more viewers is typically a lower-cost addition to your data catalog.

Understanding these roles and their associated costs is essential for accurately forecasting your data catalog budget and ensuring you allocate the right access level to meet your organizational needs.

2. Integrations

Another key factor affecting your data catalog's pricing is the number and complexity of integrations it supports. These integrations facilitate the flow of data to and from your catalog and come in different forms:

• One-Way Integrations: These are simpler setups where data moves in just one direction, either into the catalog or out of it. They are straightforward and typically less costly.
• Two-Way Integrations: Also known as "sync backs," these integrations are more sophisticated. They allow for a two-way flow of data, ensuring that information is consistently synchronized and updated across all your tools. This kind of integration fosters a unified approach to data management but often comes with a higher price tag.

It's common for data catalogs to include basic integration capabilities in their standard pricing packages. However, as you move towards more intricate and feature-rich integrations, anticipate an increase in costs. Understanding this pricing lever is key to balancing your needs for data integration with your budget constraints.

3. Feature-Based Pricing

Features are a significant factor in determining the cost of your data catalog. While a basic set of features is typically included in the standard license, more specialized and sought-after features may come with an additional price tag. The availability and pricing of these features can vary widely among different data catalogs, so it's crucial to pay close attention to what each vendor offers. Here are some examples of features that might influence the overall cost:

• AI Features: Highly coveted AI features like the AI assistant, Query explainer, and AI for documentation are often in high demand. Their inclusion can contribute to a higher pricing tier.
• Chrome Extension: A Chrome extension enhances browser functionality, allowing seamless access to the data catalog without switching tools. Depending on the catalog, this convenience might be factored into a higher price.
• Metadata Analytics: The ability to perform metadata analytics – analyzing data about other data to unearth insights, such as the percentage of unused assets in a data warehouse – might also come with an additional cost.

To optimize your spending on a data catalog, consider starting with only the essential features that meet your company's unique needs. This approach allows you to evaluate the catalog's effectiveness without committing to a full suite of features from the outset. You can always expand your feature set in subsequent years if the catalog proves valuable for your operations.

4. Volume-Based Pricing

The volume of data you manage can also influence your data catalog's pricing. This encompasses several dimensions, including the number of data sources, the sheer quantity of data stored, and how often this data is updated or transacted. The logic is simple: managing larger data volumes necessitates more storage space, a more robust infrastructure, and advanced management and processing capabilities. Consequently, many data catalogs adopt a tiered pricing structure where costs increase in line with data volume.

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For instance, a smaller organization with modest data requirements might fit into a lower pricing bracket. In contrast, a large corporation handling numerous data sources and frequent transactions would likely be categorized in a higher pricing tier. However, it's important to note that not all data catalogs implement volume-based pricing. It's important to clarify this aspect when discussing options with different vendors.

5. Implementation Services

The journey of setting up a data catalog typically involves a range of implementation services such as installation, configuration, and the initial setup of your data. The complexity of these services can significantly influence the total cost of your data catalog solution. The necessity for these services largely depends on the intricacy of the data catalog itself, meaning not every situation will require such assistance. Again, it is an element worth checking when speaking with vendors.

II - Understanding Discount Opportunities

In the process of choosing your data catalog, you might be interested in understanding the discount levers at stake. Many data catalog providers are open to offering discounts, especially if you're willing to consider certain conditions or arrangements. Understanding these opportunities can reduce your overall investment while still securing the full benefits of the data catalog.

1. Long-Term Contract

Committing to a multi-year contract can be a powerful tool in negotiating lower prices. Vendors are typically more willing to offer discounts for the assurance of a longer-term partnership. This approach not only secures a better rate but also locks in your costs, providing budget predictability.

2. Land and Expand

This strategy involves licensing a smaller amount of the service in the first year, with a plan to scale up in subsequent years. It's beneficial for two reasons:

• Risk Mitigation: It allows you to evaluate the platform's effectiveness without a large upfront commitment.
• Projection-Based Negotiation: Make projections of your usage growth and present these to the vendor. By showing them your expected scaling path, you can often negotiate lower prices for the initial phase, with a clear understanding of how costs will evolve as your usage increases.

3. Marketing or Case Studies

Offering to be part of the vendor's marketing efforts can also serve as a discount lever. This can include:

• Case Studies: Agree to have your organization featured in a case study. This not only provides the vendor with valuable marketing material but also highlights your organization's innovative approach to data management.
• Testimonials and Referrals: Providing testimonials or agreeing to be a reference for potential customers can also be valuable to vendors and might be used as a bargaining chip for better pricing.
• Speaking Engagements: Participating in webinars, conferences, or other speaking engagements on behalf of the vendor can also be negotiated into a discount.

Each of these levers requires a clear understanding of your organization's long-term data strategy and the ability to articulate this to the vendor. When used effectively, they can lead to substantial savings and more favorable terms in your data catalog agreement.

4. Commit on a Signing Date Contract

Another impactful lever to negotiate better pricing is committing to a specific signing date for the contract. This approach benefits vendors who value quick decision-making and are often willing to offer lower prices in exchange for a prompt contract closure. By agreeing to a set date by which you will sign the contract, you can leverage the vendor's preference for swift agreements to secure a more favorable deal. This method is particularly effective as it aligns with the vendor's operational efficiencies, allowing them to forecast their revenue more accurately and reduce prolonged negotiation periods.

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Like the other levers, this strategy also requires a clear understanding of your timeline and readiness to commit. It's a win-win situation: vendors appreciate the efficiency and certainty, and you benefit from potentially lower costs. This tactic is especially powerful when combined with the understanding of your organization's immediate and long-term needs for the data catalog.

Conclusion: Strategizing Your Data Catalog Investment

As you prepare to negotiate with data catalog vendors, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of the various pricing levers at your disposal. Remember, a portion of data catalog pricing is fixed and non-negotiable. However, you can influence several aspects, including integrations, feature selections, data volumes, and the number of user licenses.

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While focusing on pricing is essential, it's equally important to consider the broader picture, particularly the Return on Investment (ROI) of the data catalog. Look into factors such as the expected adoption rate of the catalog and its impact on the productivity of your analysts. To gain a deeper understanding of how to measure the ROI of your data catalog investment, I highly recommend reading our detailed article: "Data Catalog ROI: A Primer".

More on data catalog pricing

Curious to dive deeper into data catalog pricing? We've done our homework, comparing the costs of different catalogs on the market. Check out our findings in the Data Catalog Pricing Guide for all the details.

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