Talend 4.0 Integrates Data Management

Talend has integrated its three major data integration products into Talend version 4.0. The combination represents the first attempt to supply integrated data integration, data cleansing, and master data management in one open source product.

Talend springs out of a French-based open source code project that has become a leading supplier of adapters and connectors that tie applications to databases, other data sources and other applications. In late January, it introduced a general purpose, open source master data management product based on the acquisition of a proprietary supplier, Amalto. Master data management acts as an arbiter of various data sets, insuring consistency and "one version of the truth" when data conflicts arise.

On April 13, Talend integrated the three primary components of its data integration software together into Talend version 4.0. They are Talend Open Profiler, Talend Open Studio and Talend Master Data Management. With the three, Talend customers get data integration, data cleansing and master data management in one platform.

Data handled by each system has been given a shared user interface based on the Eclipse programmer's workbench environment. The single development studio based on the Eclipse integrated development environment allows " consistent ergonomics, a consistent environment for application developers to work in," said Yves de Montcheuil, CEO of Talend, in an interview in San Francisco. The data tools sit atop a shared metadata repository, which allows the sharing of vital information about the data across the tools. Data models, business rules, data transformations and data validation rules are all found in the repository, along with connectors and adapters.

The data management tools also share a single monitoring console and reporting system as the Talend data transformations and executions take place.

The Talend data integration system is based on 400 adapters and connector built up by the open source project team or donated to it. Version 4.0 is "the first unified data platform" produced as open source code, de Montcheuil said. The products may be freely downloaded separately. Talend makes its revenues by charging annual subscriptions for updates and support. The components are still available as stand-alone products and a typical annual subscription is priced at $10,000. The combined product is priced at $50,000-$100,000 annually, he said.

Talend competes with Informatica, Oracle, and IBM.