Only the users who are creating and using the organization’s unstructured data know the importance of that data.
IT functions within the organization – storage administration, data governance, data protection, etc. – have an indepth knowledge of how the file service should be used. Through Northern’s Centralized File Service Management solution area they can gain insight into how it is actually being used. But, in order to align actual usage with intended usage, and maintain that state over time, the creators and users of the data must be recruited to assist in its management.
The Self-Service Data Management solution area enables the wider organization to gain self-service access to information about how they are using the file service, to identify and correct policy violations; to proactively maintain the data they create and use.
Needs Fulfilled
| Place responsibility for appropriate use of the file service firmly in the hands of those who use it. |
| Facilitate efficient, targeted action by Data Stewards to improve adherence to policies dictated by data governance, data protection, ILG, etc. |
| Automatically provide data house-keeping recommendations when storage allocation (quota) thresholds are reached – reduce help-desk calls and user frustration generated by hard quota limits. |
Unique Features
The following features are only available in the Distributed Data Management solution area:
| Access to the self-service interface for all employees There is no limit on the number of individuals who can be provided with access to the self-service data management interface. |
| Links to self-service interface in quota notifications Automatically guide users to the self-service interface and, provide data house-keeping recommendations, when storage allocation (quota) thresholds are reached; empower users to better self-regulate their data growth/hoarding. |
Feature Sample
| Analyze file service use across the full unstructured data environment – SMB/CIFS file shares, NFS exports, SharePoint, OneDrive for Business, Azure, etc. |
| Leverage the hierarchical structure of data ownership established via use of the Data Stewardship Framework solution area to create ‘Access Rules’ for users or groups. |
| Access Rules determine which paths different users/groups should be able to view information about within the self-service portal. |
| Create Access Rules manually, by automatically mirroring file system permissions, or via integration with external systems. |
| In addition to controlling the breadth of information displayed (paths and sites), the depth of information can also be controlled – should users be able to see file lists, cost or historical trend information, etc. |
| Using Windows Authentication ensures security without requiring users to create new login names and passwords. |
| View Profiles allow usage summaries and file list dashboards to be tailored to the specific needs of different stakeholder groups – focusing attention to achieve efficient action. |
| The possibility to create or customize dashboards, summaries and file lists can be provided to all users, or only a select few. |
| Path Labels offer the ability to list different data repositories in language that non-IT staff easily recognize and understand. |
| A translatable interface that is shipped with English, Spanish, French and Japanese language resources – the display language is automatically dictated by browser settings. |
| Adapt storage allocation (quota) notifications to include a link to the self-service portal – enable users to resolve their over-utilization of the file service without contacting the help-desk. |
| Documented APIs and an open database schema (MS SQL) offer integration opportunities – include file service usage information in collaboration tools and ITSM workflows. |
