Mapador
Enhanced Data Lineage and Mapping Technologies

Aleader in parsing technologies in the contemporary enterprise space, Mapador helps clients understand the data journey from inception to transformation and eventual utilization.

Peter Szirmak founded Mapador with a vision to shine a light on black box data and code, building a company with a rich history and expertise. The company has evolved significantly since its inception in 2008 with a focus on application mapping, expanding to include data lineage and compliance in 2015. Upon Peter's passing in 2019, Andrea, his widow, sought to preserve Peter's legacy - and with the help of the Mapador team, Mapador has flourished.

Mapador has developed the tools and talent to demystify data -- its flow through applications and usage within. Mapador can ease regulatory compliance burdens by automatically documenting the code needed for compliance matters.

“We assist clients, especially in compliance-heavy sectors like finance, by deploying our industry-leading parser technology to understand, document, and map their application environments, which is an essential foundation for regulatory compliance, impact analysis, and application documentation,” says Colin Knight, head of data lineage practice at Mapador.

Despite being a small company, Mapador brings extensive expertise, backed by seasoned professionals with industry experience to ensure seamless integration and timely delivery.

In-house technologies are used to analyze code bases, identify poorly written code, and create comprehensive applications and data maps across both modern and legacy systems. This data lineage is crucial for regulatory compliance and helps organizations map the forward and backward movement of data.

For instance, in a recent engagement with a client using Teradata, Mapador reduced their data warehouse footprint by about 50 percent by identifying unnecessary data and optimizing data flows. This saved costs and aligned with ESG regulations by reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Mapador’s expertise is crucial in situations where off-the-shelf tools like Informatica or Collibra fall short, especially in dealing with complex legacy code bases such as COBOL, JCL, or dynamic SQL. Its detailed data lineage mapping facilitates effective governance, filling the gaps where standard tools may struggle.

Accurate Analytics with Rich Data

Mapping an entire production environment brings many benefits. For example, identifying the golden source of data is crucial for efficient analytics, and by offering a comprehensive overview of data movement, Mapador pinpoints the optimal source for analytics. This is vital, as data analysts often spend 90 percent of their time grappling with data understanding.

Cloud preparedness is another key aspect, emphasizing the need to map, understand, and classify data before migration. Mapador’s expertise in lineage flows ensures a smooth transition to the cloud while mitigating risks. Its suite of tools aids in application migration, providing a thorough understanding of both modern and legacy applications before moving to new ones.

Comprehensive data flows are also essential for identifying sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII) within data slated for migration. These areas encompass its primary focus when engaging with clients.

A Consultative Approach for Improved Client Experience

Mapador adopts a consultative approach to understanding client needs in data governance. Depending on their position in the data governance setup, it may suggest they engage with well-known companies like Collibra or Informatica. For smaller organizations, cost considerations might lead them to explore smaller or in-house Master Data Management solutions.

For clients facing specific challenges, it assesses their struggles and offers tailored solutions. An example is a major Australian bank that had difficulties with Informatica scanners due to complex legacy SQL code. Mapador provided a hybrid solution, parsing and creating metadata for their in-house MDM system, which then integrated with Informatica.

We assist clients, especially in compliance-heavy sectors like finance, by deploying our industry-leading parser technology to understand, document, and map their application environments, which is an essential foundation for regulatory compliance, impact analysis, and application documentation

This consultative process allows the company to recommend appropriate solutions, whether it's directing them to specific companies or offering expertise in areas such as data quality. It exclusively focuses on application code and scripting, avoiding direct interaction with customer data.

Mapador has a team of highly skilled and diverse employees and is constantly pushing forward at the leading edge of parser development. Its work in this area is helped by the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program, which is designed to promote the conducting of research and development in Canada.

Mapador's journey of data parsing and governance epitomizes excellence and innovation. Its commitment to navigating the complexities of modern data landscapes, while offering tailored solutions and expert guidance, cements its position as a vanguard in parsing technologies.