# Data fabric · Glossary
An architecture approach that uses metadata, integration services and automation to provide consistent access to data spread across many systems and locations.
[Glossary](/glossary) · Data platforms and engineering

# Data fabric

     An architecture approach that uses metadata, integration services and automation to provide consistent access to data spread across many systems and locations. It emphasises connecting data where it lives rather than centralising everything.

## Why it matters

     Organisations with many systems, clouds and regulatory constraints cannot always copy data into one platform. A fabric approach can provide unified discovery, access and governance across those sources.

     The term is used loosely in the market. Leaders should focus on the concrete capabilities needed, such as a reliable catalogue, lineage, policy enforcement and integration, rather than the label.

## In practice

     For example, a UK group operating regulated subsidiaries in several jurisdictions might keep customer data in each subsidiary’s own environment while using a shared catalogue and policy layer to give group analysts governed, auditable access where permitted.

## Where Rodan fits

     Rodan designs integration and governance across distributed data estates in [Platform and Cloud Engineering](https://rodan.io/platform-cloud-engineering) work.

## Related terms

- [Data mesh](/glossary/data-mesh)

- [Metadata](/glossary/metadata)

- [Data catalogue](/glossary/data-catalogue)

- [Data architecture](/glossary/data-architecture)

- [Knowledge graph](/glossary#knowledge-graph)
HTML: https://rodan.io/glossary/data-fabric