Your data format needs

Although every data format is capable of representing any type of data, not all formats are well suited to information exchange.

Here are some scenarios that show which characteristics are important, using our detailed format comparison guide.

Disclaimer

This is a very general overview. It will help you get started, but you should rely on your internal architects to help identify what your business and technical needs are.

Check the details

We have written a detailed format comparison guide.

It has a very thorough comparison of common data formats.

Be sure that the format you choose suits the types of needs you have.

What we’re comparing

What is the data about: Documents vs Data

Data represents the current state of a thing or system

Documents describe a process

How is the data created: Interactive vs Automated

Automated is generated without human input

Interactive is more ‘crafted’ than automatically extracted

Automated Data

What is it: Data that is automatically extracted without human input and represents the current state of a thing or system.

For example: A transaction history. Currently held assets. Current employees.

Overview: Most contemporary digital exchange fits within this category. Data can be shared as often as required, usually when an event happens, like making a payment, hiring an employee, starting a business.

• Data can be sent to many different parties, and used for many different purposes
• Enables real time business interaction
• Very well suited to mobile and cloud computing

Desired format characteristics:

• Automation
• Transformation
• Open standards
• Tooling
• Industry support
• Frameworks

Interactive Data

What is it: Data that is more ‘crafted’ then automatically extracted and represents the current state of a thing or system.

For example: An extract of a larger data set.

Overview: When a human navigates through large amounts of existing data, filtering and selecting the relevant parts

• similar to interactive documents, but the data isn’t relevant to a single process.

Desired format characteristics:

• Automation
• Transformation
• Large Messages

Automated Document

What is it: A document that is automatically extracted without human input and describes a process.

For example: A compliance report. A refund claim. Health checks and status reports.

Overview: Generating an automated document is generally a simple process of populating a pre-existing template:

• The template needs to describe what is required, in what order, and in what quantity
• Tooling is required to describe and publish the document templates
• The data is typically read, actioned, and discarded

Desired format characteristics:

• Business Rules
• Message Correctness
• Schema
• Automation
• Transformation
• Tooling
• Frameworks

Interactive Document

What is it: A document that is more ‘crafted’ then automatically extracted and describes a process.

For example: A profit and loss sheet. Statement of financial position. An application for a grant.

Overview: Creating an interactive document is similar to using typing up a document:

• It’s part human part machine, with the human choosing what to write and the machine helping get it right
• Document authors use a suite of tools to search through available data and use it to tell a story.
• The tools are tightly integrated can’t easily be used independently, much like how you can’t use the spell check outside of the word processor.

Desired format characteristics:

• Business Rules - Unlike the Automated Document, these rules can only be applied when the tool decides
• Message Correctness
• Schema
• Tooling

Alignment to technology

Here are our thoughts on which technologies are well suited to the scenarios. Your needs may vary, so consider your circumstances and the needs of your users before making any decisions.