Public preview: Azure Data Catalog

Azure Data Catalog is a fully managed service in Azure and an enterprise-wide metadata catalog that enables self-service data source discovery. Data Catalog stores, describes, indexes, and provides information on how to access any registered data source. In other words, it makes data source discovery trivial. It facilitates collaboration and is designed to help close the gap between those who seek information and those who create it.In contrast to the traditional metadata management solutions that are typically targeted at IT, the focus of Data Catalog is to bridge the gap between IT and business. Through crowdsourced annotations, users can both provide and be provided knowledge of the system and its data assets as they’re using it—thereby enriching the system and empowering users during use. IT still maintains control and oversight as the system evolves and can lock down visibility to selected assets as the need occurs.For more information about the capabilities available during public preview, visit the [Data Catalog](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=616450) page and the [Azure Data Catalog](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=616426) documentation page.Azure Data Catalog is offered in a Free Edition and a Standard Edition. The Standard Edition is free through July 2015\. The public preview pricing will be in effect starting August 1, 2015. * Data Catalogue * Pricing & Offerings * Services * [ Data Catalogue](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/products/data-catalog/)