Can you find the data you need?
Data is the fuel that powers modern business success—but what happens when that fuel is locked away, buried in silos, or tangled in red tape? The truth is, many organisations are sitting on a treasure trove of insights that users can’t easily find or access, stalling innovation, efficiency, and smarter decision-making.
In our latest Data Management Series session, we pulled back the curtain on the real obstacles preventing businesses from unlocking their data’s full potential. From inefficiencies that slow down access, to governance challenges that create bottlenecks, we explored the pain points—and the immediate, practical solutions that can turn data into a true business asset.
Why finding the data feels like an impossible task
Many organisations grapple with the same set of issues:
- Data silos: Teams store and manage data in isolated systems, making it difficult to access and integrate information.
- Data lockdown: Privacy and governance regulations often lead to data being locked down, which, while necessary for security, can delay access to valuable insights.
- Unclear data ownership: Without clear ownership, employees are uncertain about who controls data access and how to retrieve it.
- Lack of trust in data: If data quality is inconsistent or undocumented, users hesitate to rely on it for decision-making.
- Slow access to insights: When employees must navigate the bureaucracy to access data, business agility suffers.
Richard Abraham, Sector Lead – Sempre Analytics summarised the problem well: “Businesses are sitting on a goldmine of data, but without proper accessibility, that gold remains buried. The goal is to democratise data access while maintaining governance and security.”
How to Take Control of Data Accessibility
The real power of data accessibility lies in striking the balance between availability and governance. Data accessibility isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about empowerment for data users to access the data they need, but only with the approved permissions to ensure security and compliance is maintained. With the right structures, businesses can enable secure access for analytics without compromising regulations—ensuring only the necessary information is available at the right level, to the right people, at the right time. The good news? It’s entirely achievable.
A data marketplace can enable organisations to bridge the gap between business and IT by providing a structured and secure environment where business can access the right data with the appropriate permissions. This ensures compliance while allowing for analytics and insights without unnecessary barriers.
- Search & Discovery: Employees can easily locate relevant datasets using intuitive search functions.
- Transparency & Trust: Users can see data quality scores, lineage, and ownership details to ensure reliability.
- Governed Access: Role-based permissions streamline access while maintaining security and compliance.
- Collaboration & Feedback: Business users can rate datasets and provide feedback, helping improve overall data quality and utility.
I highlighted the impact of these changes in our recent webinar: “A data marketplace doesn’t just improve efficiency—it transforms the way businesses operate. Employees spend less time searching for information and more time generating insights.”
Santander’s move from Chaos to Clarity
Global bank, Santander, had been drowning in spreadsheets and duplicate reports and employees had reported losing precious time trying to get access to basic data. By implementing a data marketplace, the organisation transformed data access. Teams could find what they needed instantly, duplicate reports became a thing of the past, and workflows ran smoother than ever.
Santander’s transformation is a perfect example of how organisations can turn data accessibility into a competitive advantage. Before the shift, teams wasted time hunting for information across siloed systems, waiting on approvals, and dealing with duplicate reports. Their move to a centralised, governed self-service model changed everything—cutting down inefficiencies, streamlining access, and empowering employees with real-time insights. Previously, teams struggled with bottlenecks caused by siloed data, slow approvals, and duplicated efforts. By implementing a structured marketplace, they not only reduced delays but empowered employees with real-time insights, improving decision-making across departments. The opportunity to improve data accessibility is experienced universally by businesses of all sizes across all industries.
As Rich put it during the webinar: “If data isn’t accessible, it’s as good as non-existent. The key is making the right data available to the right people at the right time—without unnecessary roadblocks.”
Making Data Work for Your Business
Data accessibility isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a business imperative. Organisations that unlock the value of their data gain a competitive advantage, enabling them to make smarter decisions, improve customer experiences, and drive innovation. By addressing accessibility challenges today, businesses position themselves for a more data-driven future. n themselves for a more data-driven future.
Are you ready to improve your data accessibility strategy? Get in touch to learn more about implementing a data marketplace and empowering your organisation with smarter data access.
