RESOURCES / Articles

6 Data Governance Tools for Salesforce Users

August 27, 2024

Salesforce logo with data flowing into it

Key Highlights

  • Data Foundation: Data governance in Salesforce rests on three pillars: reliability for accurate decisions, security for sensitive data, and continuous compliance with regulations.
  • Implementation Challenges: Common implementation challenges include establishing ownership, maintaining consistent practices, and measuring program value. Success requires both tools and well-defined processes.
  • Confident Usage: Effective governance creates an environment where teams can confidently use data while upholding security and compliance standards.
  • Scalable Growth: The best governance programs prioritize adaptability, letting organizations scale their data practices alongside business growth.

Governing Your Salesforce Foundation

Every day, thousands of customer details, sales records, and service interactions flow through your Salesforce instance. This steady stream of information carries the weight of business decisions, customer trust, and regulatory responsibility. Yet without careful stewardship, even the most valuable data can become a liability rather than an asset.

Think of data governance as the bedrock beneath your Salesforce operations – a foundation built on three unshakeable pillars. First, reliability: ensuring every number, note, and record tells the true story. Second, security: protecting sensitive information with the same vigilance you’d guard your vault. Third, compliance: weaving regulatory requirements into the very fabric of how data moves through your organization.

As we explore the tools that help organizations master these essential elements, we’ll see how the right governance solution doesn’t just prevent problems – it builds a foundation where data becomes your most trustworthy business ally.

Disclaimer: The specific third-party security solutions mentioned in this section are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

A hand holding a lock

6 Data Governance Tools for Salesforce Users

Implementing a robust data governance program has become crucial as organizations wrestle with data flowing in from different sources, legacy systems, and unstructured repositories. Governance platforms must bridge the gap between data engineers working on pipelines and business teams who need clear insights. The following solutions excel at creating a shared understanding of data while maintaining compliance across various platforms and source systems:

Collibra

Collibra cuts through data governance complexity by unifying master data management and data protection in a single platform. Companies using Collibra gain control over their data pipeline, from source systems to analytics outputs. Whether handling SAP master data governance (MDG) implementation or enterprise-wide data quality management, organizations can establish consistent best practices without sacrificing accessibility.

Dataedo

Looking to decrease risk while improving data intelligence? Dataedo’s collaborative approach helps data teams and business users align on key processes. The platform excels at documenting everything from basic definitions to complex relationships across different platforms, including open source solutions like Apache Atlas. As organizations work with various data sources, they spend less time resolving conflicts and more time driving value, thanks to clear role-based access and standardized workflows.

Alation

Alation’s data catalog capabilities set new standards for enterprise data governance software. The platform seamlessly connects to source systems, including SAP and Quest Software implementations, creating a comprehensive view of both structured and unstructured data. Instead of struggling with scattered information across different sources, users quickly grasp data lineage and usage patterns. This approach to data quality management means business processes stay compliant while teams maintain the agility to innovate with their organization’s data.

OneTrust Data Governance

OneTrust tackles master data governance by automatically discovering and classifying information across various data sources. Think of it as a sophisticated data integration system – it identifies applications and data stores while maintaining data compliance at every step. The platform’s data governance features ensure proper handling of sensitive information while streamlining business processes through automated workflows.

Talend Data Fabric

Talend Data Fabric unites data integration capabilities with comprehensive governance tools in a single platform. At its core, it manages data quality across source systems while providing data teams with robust analysis capabilities. The platform continuously monitors your data pipeline through automated checks and helps data engineers maintain consistent quality standards, whether dealing with big data or traditional sources.

Informatica Axon Data Governance

Need to strengthen your data governance features? Informatica Axon helps organizations build a shared understanding of data across user roles and business processes. By establishing clear protocols for handling data from different sources, teams maintain alignment on both technical requirements and compliance needs. The system’s integration with various data sources ensures governance policies stay current, while built-in data quality management tools help decrease risk across the enterprise.

Understanding the Importance of Data Governance in Salesforce

Salesforce stands as a cornerstone of customer relationship management, housing a treasure trove of vital data. Yet this wealth of information can quickly become overwhelming. Without proper controls, organizations face mounting challenges: data inconsistencies multiply, security vulnerabilities emerge, and compliance requirements become increasingly difficult to meet. These issues don’t just create headaches – they actively prevent companies from harnessing their data for strategic insights.

Data governance rises above simple data management by establishing a framework of principles and practices that bring order to this complexity. Through proper governance, your Salesforce data transforms to become:

  • Reliable: Every piece of information maintains its accuracy and consistency, giving teams the confidence to trust what they see and use it to drive decisions.
  • Secure: Comprehensive protections guard against unauthorized access and potential breaches, ensuring sensitive customer data stays in the right hands.
  • Compliant: Built-in practices and controls ensure ongoing adherence to data privacy regulations, turning compliance from a periodic concern into a continuous state.
Illustration of an interaction between customer and company

Why Data Governance Matters for Salesforce Environments

Poor data practices cost companies dearly – from missed sales opportunities to damaged customer relationships. While most organizations know their Salesforce data holds valuable insights, few have the structure in place to use it effectively. Good governance turns this situation around, creating clear paths to better decision-making. Consider what’s truly at stake in your Salesforce ecosystem:

  • Confident Decision-Making: When teams can verify data accuracy at every step, numbers become meaningful. Sales leaders spot genuine patterns while managers refine strategies using reliable customer insights they actually trust.
  • Risk Management That Makes Sense: Instead of just ticking compliance boxes, thorough governance helps security measures adapt to new threats. Practical access controls and clear protocols keep customer information safe while letting teams work efficiently.
  • Building Lasting Customer Trust: Customers notice how companies handle their information. Clear policies and consistent practices show respect for customer privacy, creating relationships that stand the test of time.
  • Ready for Tomorrow’s Challenges: As your customer base grows and market demands change, solid governance principles help your data infrastructure scale naturally. Your systems grow alongside your business without constant overhauls or emergency fixes.

Key Challenges in Salesforce Data Governance

Getting Salesforce data governance right requires navigating several critical hurdles. While the benefits are clear, organizations often stumble in similar places when putting these practices into action:

Defining Clear Roles and Responsibilities

Who owns what? Large organizations especially struggle with this fundamental question. Success requires more than just naming data stewards and quality monitors – it means spelling out exactly who handles data quality checks, who ensures security protocols are followed, and who steps in when issues arise. Without this clarity, accountability gaps quickly emerge.

Creating Rules That Stick

Writing data policies is one thing; getting people to follow them is another entirely. Even well-crafted guidelines fall flat without proper training and consistent oversight. The key lies in making these rules practical and showing teams how they help rather than hinder daily work. Regular check-ins and clear examples help turn written policies into actual practices.

Proving the Program’s Worth

The benefits of good governance often show up in what doesn’t happen – fewer errors, avoided compliance issues, smoother operations. But these invisible wins make it tough to show concrete value. Smart programs track specific metrics from the start: error rates in reports, time saved in data cleanup, drops in duplicate records. These tangible measures help justify the investment.

Keeping Up With Change

Yesterday’s perfect solution rarely fits tomorrow’s challenges. As your business grows and shifts, data governance must adapt. Regular reviews catch outdated practices before they cause problems. The most successful programs build in flexibility from the start, expecting and planning for change rather than reacting to it.

Person using data governance tool on a computer

Evaluating Data Governance Tools for Salesforce

The maze of Salesforce data governance tools can be overwhelming, yet choosing the right solution is crucial for maintaining data integrity and compliance. While vendors promise comprehensive features, the true measure of a tool’s value lies in how well it aligns with your organization’s unique challenges and objectives. Understanding the fundamental components that make or break a governance solution will help you navigate these choices with confidence.

Functionality

  • Data Lineage: Can the tool track the history and flow of your data? This transparency is crucial for understanding how data is used and ensuring its accuracy.
  • Data Cataloging: Does the tool offer a comprehensive data catalog for all your Salesforce objects and fields? This facilitates easy data discovery and understanding.
  • Data Stewardship: Does the tool promote data ownership and accountability within your organization? Assigning data stewards ensures data quality and consistency.

Integration

  • Interoperability: Does the tool integrate seamlessly with other systems you use for data management and business intelligence? This ensures a unified data landscape for smooth analysis across platforms.
  • Scalability: Can the tool adapt and grow alongside your organization’s evolving data needs? Scalability ensures a sustainable data governance strategy.

Additional Considerations

  • Cost: Finding a cost-effective solution that meets your specific requirements is essential.
  • User Experience: Prioritize tools with intuitive interfaces and user-friendly features for smooth adoption within your organization.
  • Customer Reviews: Research industry feedback on potential tools to gain insights into their reliability and effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

Comparing Top Data Governance Solutions for Salesforce

Navigating the landscape of Salesforce data governance solutions requires careful evaluation beyond surface-level feature lists. While each platform offers its own mix of capabilities, the true differentiator lies in how well these tools address your organization’s specific data management challenges. Through our analysis of market-leading solutions, we’ve distilled key comparison points across features, pricing models, scalability potential, and real-world performance based on customer experiences.

Product Key Features Pricing
Collibra – Centralized platform
– Business glossary management
– Data lineage tracking
– Access controls
Starting at $170,000/year
Dataedo – Collaborative data catalog
– Data documentation
– Data quality rules
– Improved data literacy
Starting at $18,000/year
Alation – Data discovery and intelligence platform
– Searchable data catalog
– Business terms & data lineage
Starting at $60,000/year
OneTrust Data Governance – AI-driven data discovery & classification Integrated data catalog
– Data governance policy management
– Automatic data classification & tagging
Contact OneTrust for pricing
Talend Data Fabric – Quality checks
– Automated metadata management
– Data inventory & Trust Score
– Stewardship workflows
Starting at $12,000/year
Informatica Axon Data Governance – AI-powered data discovery & quality assessment
– Data stewardship communication
– Curated data marketplaces
– Common data dictionary development
Contact Informatica for Pricing

Making the Right Choice for Your Salesforce Data Future

The journey toward effective data governance in Salesforce isn’t just about selecting tools – it’s about transforming how your organization views and values its data assets. While platforms like Collibra and Alation offer robust technical capabilities, success ultimately stems from aligning these solutions with your company’s unique data challenges and growth trajectory.

Implementation of governance tools pays dividends through enhanced data quality, streamlined compliance processes, and deeper business insights. Companies that invest thoughtfully in data governance today position themselves to handle tomorrow’s data challenges with confidence, whether that means scaling operations, meeting new regulatory requirements, or unlocking advanced analytics capabilities.

Remember that data governance is an evolving practice, not a one-time implementation. The most successful programs combine powerful tools with adaptable strategies, creating a foundation that supports both current operations and future innovations. Carefully evaluating your options and choosing a solution that matches your organization’s scale, complexity, and aspirations, you’ll build a data governance framework that delivers lasting value across your Salesforce ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can data governance tools be customized to suit specific organizational needs?

Yes, data governance tools can be customized to suit specific organizational needs. Most tools offer configurable options to tailor governance policies, data quality rules, security protocols, and data access controls based on the unique requirements and compliance standards of each organization.

What is Data Governance in the Context of Salesforce?

Data governance extends beyond basic data management in Salesforce by establishing a framework that ensures data reliability, security, and compliance. This means maintaining accuracy and consistency, protecting against unauthorized access, and following privacy regulations. By defining clear ownership roles and implementing quality standards, data governance enables organizations to make decisions with confidence based on trustworthy information.

How to Choose the Best Data Governance Tool for Your Salesforce Environment?

When selecting a data governance tool, evaluate several critical factors. The tool should offer essential features like data lineage tracking and cataloging, while being scalable to grow with your needs. Consider how well it integrates with your existing systems and whether the cost aligns with your budget. Finally, look for an intuitive user interface and research the vendor’s reputation through customer feedback to ensure reliability.

References

https://www.sap.com/products/master-data-governance.html

https://www.collibra.com/us/en/products/data-governance

https://www.informatica.com/gb/products/cloud-integration/master-data-management-cloud/reference-360.html

https://atlan.com/active-data-governance/

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/products/data-factory/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/master-data-services/master-data-services-overview-mds

https://www.oracle.com/scm/product-lifecycle-management/master-data-management/

CATEGORIES

Data

TOPIC TAGS

Data Governance