Data sources

Data sources are the origins from which data is extracted and collected. They can be available in various formats.

Identifying suitable data sources is the first step in obtaining information and must be carried out together with the definition of data collection methods.

In today's data-driven world, companies rely heavily on accurate and relevant information to make well-founded decisions. The quality and relevance of these decisions are directly influenced by the quality of the data used. Therefore, choosing the right data sources is critical to success.

Types of data sources

Data sources can be categorized according to various criteria.

Data sources by origin

Internal data sources: These data sources are within the company and can come from various systems such as CRM, ERP, marketing automation, or transaction processing systems.
External data sources: These data sources are external to the company and can come from public sources such as government statistics, industry reports, or social media.
Third party data sources: These data sources are provided by companies that collect and sell data, such as market research firms or credit bureaus.

Data sources by structure

Structured data: This data is organized in a predefined format so that computers can easily process it. They are typically used in tables, databases or data warehouses saved. Examples include customer records, financial transactions, and product inventories.
Unstructured data: This data has no defined format and is often difficult for computers to process directly. They can include text documents, emails, images, or videos. Examples include customer reviews, social media posts, and images from security cameras.
Semi-structured data: This data has some organizational elements, but it doesn't follow a strict relational format. They can often be represented in formats such as XML or JSON. Examples include log files, sensor data, and email attachments.

Data sources by format

Text data: This data is available in text form, e.g. in documents, articles, or social media posts.
Numerical data: This data is available in numeric form, such as figures, statistics, or measurements.
Image data: This data is available in image formats, such as photos, graphics, or charts.
Video data: This data is available in video formats, such as clips, webinars, or surveillance footage.
Audio data: This data is available in audio formats, such as music, podcasts, or voice recordings.

Examples of data sources

Internal data sources

CRM system: customer master data, purchase history, customer support interactions
ERP system: order data, inventories, financial data
Marketing automation system: email campaigns, website traffic, lead data
Transaction processing system: sales data, payment information, customer data

External data sources

Government statistics: population data, economic indicators, trade statistics
Industry reports: market analyses, trend forecasts, competitive information
Social media: customer testimonials, market trends, industry talks
Open data: weather data, traffic information, geodata

Third party data sources

Market research companies: consumer surveys, market analyses, target group profiles
Credit bureaus: credit information, payment history, creditworthiness
Social media platforms: demographics, interests, behaviours

You can find out more about data sources in Data architecture, Data organization and Data Governance.

Note: Our team benefited from the support of AI technologies while creating and maintaining this glossary.