What is a canonical data model?
A canonical data model (CDM) is a type of data model that represents data items and relationships in the simplest possible form.
It is generally used in system / database integration processes where data is exchanged between different systems, regardless of the technology used.
A canonical data model is also known as a common data model.
A canonical data model primarily enables an organization to create and distribute a common definition of its entire unit of data. Designing a CDM requires identifying all entities, their attributes and the relationships between them.
The importance of a CDM is particularly evident in integration processes in which data units are exchanged between different information system platforms. It uses a generalized data format to represent / define data that makes it easy to share data between multiple applications.
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