Azure Data Catalog: Managed Cloud Service for Metadata Catalog

Azure Data Catalog: Managed Cloud Metadata Catalog Guide

Azure Data Catalog is Microsoft's fully managed cloud service for metadata management and data discovery. It lets analysts register, annotate, and find data assets across the enterprise. Microsoft has transitioned Azure Data Catalog's capabilities into Microsoft Purview. EPC Group helps organizations migrate to Purview and build full data governance programs. 29 years of Microsoft experience. 10,000+ deployments.

Key facts

• Azure Data Catalog is a fully managed cloud service — no infrastructure to run or patch.
• Microsoft Purview now supersedes Azure Data Catalog for new implementations.
• Data assets from Power BI, Excel, SQL Server Management Studio connect directly to the catalog.
• EPC Group: 29 years of Microsoft consulting, 10,000+ successful deployments.
• EPC Group is headquartered in Houston, TX. Microsoft Solutions Partner with core designations.
• Fixed-fee accelerators starting at $25,000. Hourly rates: $150–$500.

What is Azure Data Catalog?

Azure Data Catalog is a fully managed cloud service. It acts as a central registry for enterprise data assets — databases, files, reports, and APIs.

Data owners register their assets in the catalog and annotate them with descriptions, tags, and documentation. Other users then search and browse the catalog to find data assets. They can see what data means, assess its quality, and connect to it directly from tools like Power BI, Excel, or SQL Server Management Studio.

This self-service model reduces the friction between data producers and data consumers across the organization.

Azure Data Catalog vs. Microsoft Purview

Microsoft has transitioned Azure Data Catalog's capabilities into Microsoft Purview. For new implementations, Purview is the right choice. Key differences:

• Azure Data Catalog — Legacy service. Suitable for basic metadata cataloging in smaller environments.
• Microsoft Purview — Unified data governance platform. Covers metadata cataloging, data lineage, sensitivity labeling, compliance, and policy enforcement.

EPC Group helps organizations transition from Azure Data Catalog to Microsoft Purview. We also design comprehensive data governance programs built on the Purview platform.

Key Features of Azure Data Catalog

• Self-service data discovery — Analysts find datasets without IT tickets.
• Annotations and crowdsourcing — Users add tags, descriptions, and ratings to catalog entries.
• Automatic asset registration — Supports SQL Server, Oracle, Azure SQL, Azure Data Lake, Blob Storage, and more.
• Access control — Azure AD integration restricts who can register and annotate assets.
• Data lineage (Purview) — Track where data came from and how it was transformed.
• REST API — Programmatic registration and management of catalog assets.

EPC Group Data Governance Consulting

We help organizations build self-service analytics capabilities that cut time-to-insight while maintaining compliance and data quality.

• Transition from Azure Data Catalog to Microsoft Purview with zero data loss.
• Design comprehensive data governance programs: ownership, stewardship, and quality standards.
• Implement sensitivity labels and DLP policies in Purview.
• Build self-service analytics on Power BI connected to a governed data catalog.
• HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and GDPR compliance built into every data governance engagement.

Azure FinOps and Cost Governance

Running Azure at scale requires active cost governance. FinOps in 2026 is not optional. Three tools that deliver the biggest savings:

• Azure Reservations — 1-year or 3-year commits deliver 30–72% savings on predictable VM workloads.
• Azure Savings Plans — Extends compute discounts across instance families for portability.
• Azure Hybrid Benefit — Bring-your-own Windows Server and SQL Server licenses to cut compute costs by an additional 40–49%.

Frequently asked questions

What is Azure Data Catalog used for?

Azure Data Catalog is a metadata registry. Organizations use it to make enterprise data assets discoverable. Data owners register and annotate datasets. Analysts search and connect to datasets from tools like Power BI and Excel — without raising IT tickets.

Is Azure Data Catalog still available in 2026?

Azure Data Catalog still exists but Microsoft has shifted investment to Microsoft Purview. Purview covers everything Data Catalog does and adds data lineage, sensitivity labels, compliance policy, and unified data governance. New projects should use Purview.

How does EPC Group help with Azure Data Catalog or Purview?

We help organizations migrate from Azure Data Catalog to Microsoft Purview, design data governance programs, implement sensitivity labels and DLP policies, and build self-service Power BI analytics on top of governed data catalogs.

What sources does Azure Data Catalog support?

Azure Data Catalog supports SQL Server, Oracle, Azure SQL, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Blob Storage, SAP HANA, Teradata, and many other enterprise data sources through connector-based registration.

How much does data governance consulting cost?

Hourly rates range from $150 to $500. Fixed-fee accelerators start at $25,000. A full Microsoft Purview data governance implementation typically runs $50,000–$300,000 depending on the number of data sources, sensitivity label scope, and compliance requirements.

Start a data governance conversation

Talk to an EPC Group data governance architect about your Azure Data Catalog migration or Microsoft Purview implementation. Call (888) 381-9725 or request a 30-minute discovery call.