Evolving data issues challenge RM approaches

 Graph databases—a different kind of record

Graph databases store information in a way that focuses on the relationships among data elements. Those representations could include networks and hierarchies as well as other relationships among nodes. “Graph databases are designed to persist data in a format that highlights relationships among data elements,” says Karen Lopez, senior project manager and architect for InfoAdvisors, a data management consulting firm. “A graph might include customers, orders, products and promotions; the network itself as represented in the graph database might be a useful record.”A network could show links among suspected terrorists or relationships that indicate fraudulent activities, and those networks could be saved as records.

Graph databases are used in several other ways to aid records management. “Many organizations today are creating their own internal knowledge graphs that represent records as a connected data model to aid search and discovery,” says Utpal Bhatt, VP of marketing at Neo Technology. “This knowledge graph speeds up risk analysis and compliance determination.” Neo Technology is the developer of the graph database software Neo4j. “Graph databases are also used within the legal industry to speed up legal research associated with a case,” he adds. A graph of case files, opinions and other documents makes it easy for researchers to identify information that may be material to a case.